Suggestions - mechanically simple, safe, cheap, runaround

[Sad Ken]

As per the title folks, looking for suggestions for a mechanically simple, reliable, cheap,safe runaround with 5 seats. A shed that scrubs up well, doesn't rust too badly, and gets decent mpg. Power and image not a problem. Something around £1000 or less. Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz spring to mind among the more mainstream cars....any other suggestions?

Sorry not a hugely inspiring petrolhead post haha.

[cv01jw]

Suzuki Swift might also be worth a shout

[InitialDave]

As always, I'm going to say Avensis.

Note that at that end of the market, a slightly larger car is often better value than the small stuff that's popular with new drivers.

[Jaguar steve]

I'd take an older Jazz off your list...

I had a 1.4 petrol for a couple of years. It handled and went well enough and usually returned 50's MPG and it's brilliantly packaged as well but the build quality is way short of what you'd expect from Honda. Parts cost a fortune too and at 10 years old and just 80k on the clock mine was rusting badly to the point of several MOT advisories and was starting to eat it's gearbox - both of which is are common apparently.

It was too much of a POS to to inflict on some poor sap as a private sale so I ended up flogging it to a back street dealer before the gearbox died all together.

Probably the most delicate car I've owned. I've had better durability and double the mileage out of several old French Sheds than the Jazz managed.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mazda3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa 147

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Focus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Vauxhall Astra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

All the above will be as reliable as anything else out there as they're all N/A drivetrains & are simple electronics wise so find the car that the nicest.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Thursday 17th January 16:00

[Dave J]

I would suggest Japanese for a £1000 budget

[Deep Thought]

Another vote for a Focus. 1.6i petrol Zetec or Ghia spec.

[Krikkit]

InitialDave said:

As always, I'm going to say Avensis.

Note that at that end of the market, a slightly larger car is often better value than the small stuff that's popular with new drivers.

I'd agree with this - a big Japanese saloon as new as budget allows. Honda Accord/Toyota Avensis?

[Deep Thought]

Krikkit said:

I'd agree with this - a big Japanese saloon as new as budget allows. Honda Accord/Toyota Avensis?

The O/P has talked about small cars and we're now on big Japanese saloons?

Good enough call if its what the O/P had in mind but it might not be.

Smallish sub £1,000 jap hatchbacks are particularly uninspiring. With the Focus at least its a good drive and you'll typically get a younger Ford for you money.

[Brian180482]

Skoda Octavia or Volvo S60 if you can find one with full service history and reasonable mileage.

[InitialDave]

Deep Thought said:

The O/P has talked about small cars and we're now on big Japanese saloons?

Good enough call if its what the O/P had in mind but it might not be.

I suggested it because a lot of people think a cheap car is better being a small one, but something more mid - sized is often easier to get in better condition for the money, and running costs aren't necessarily massively different.

For a small car, maybe consider a Honda Logo. They're less common but seem to be quite cheap, and seemingly fit the "looked after by elderly owner" stereotype as much as a Jazz.