Cheapest reliable runaround - Micra?
Discussion
If you were after a bulletproof, cheap as chips car for dotting about town, what would you buy?
A few years ago the advice was always Micra, is that still the case?
No requirements from the thing, I don't care what it looks like, or drives like, just want something cheap, cheerful and reliable. Easy to work on would be a bonus.
Budget about £1000-£1500 max.
Cheers
A few years ago the advice was always Micra, is that still the case?
No requirements from the thing, I don't care what it looks like, or drives like, just want something cheap, cheerful and reliable. Easy to work on would be a bonus.
Budget about £1000-£1500 max.
Cheers
I don't know much about the later Micras but I've a feeling that the later ones wouldn't be as reliable as the indestructible bubble one? They're getting on a bit now though so not sure how much of a good bet they'd be?
Maybe a Yaris? Possibly an Aygo? No idea how easy either of them are to work on.
Maybe a Yaris? Possibly an Aygo? No idea how easy either of them are to work on.
Having had various Micra's in the family and amongst friends they have proved to be reliable little chariots.
The k12 (03-10) is the one to go for at your budget, avoid the 1.0 litre. They are very easy to work on and parts are plentiful although they hardly ever need them.
I think any N/A Japanese hatchback should see you right at your budget.
I have also enjoyed a MK2 focus Ghia 2l petrol for a whopping £1100 and had a trouble free 30k miles/18 months.
The k12 (03-10) is the one to go for at your budget, avoid the 1.0 litre. They are very easy to work on and parts are plentiful although they hardly ever need them.
I think any N/A Japanese hatchback should see you right at your budget.
I have also enjoyed a MK2 focus Ghia 2l petrol for a whopping £1100 and had a trouble free 30k miles/18 months.
toast boy said:
I don't know much about the later Micras but I've a feeling that the later ones wouldn't be as reliable as the indestructible bubble one? They're getting on a bit now though so not sure how much of a good bet they'd be?
Maybe a Yaris? Possibly an Aygo? No idea how easy either of them are to work on.
True of most things is that, I think the bubble one was a K11 but they're getting on a bit now as you said. Maybe a Yaris? Possibly an Aygo? No idea how easy either of them are to work on.
Yaris is a good shout though thanks, we've had a Land Cruiser in the past and that was faultless. Toyota do make bombproof cars.
MrAverage said:
Having had various Micra's in the family and amongst friends they have proved to be reliable little chariots.
The k12 (03-10) is the one to go for at your budget, avoid the 1.0 litre. They are very easy to work on and parts are plentiful although they hardly ever need them.
I think any N/A Japanese hatchback should see you right at your budget.
I have also enjoyed a MK2 focus Ghia 2l petrol for a whopping £1100 and had a trouble free 30k miles/18 months.
This is the kind of success story I was after, thanks. The one I've seen is a 1240cc, am I right in thinking they're all chain rather than belt? One of the things I read was that they part shared with the Clio from the K12 onwards, not sure what that'll do to it's reliability. The k12 (03-10) is the one to go for at your budget, avoid the 1.0 litre. They are very easy to work on and parts are plentiful although they hardly ever need them.
I think any N/A Japanese hatchback should see you right at your budget.
I have also enjoyed a MK2 focus Ghia 2l petrol for a whopping £1100 and had a trouble free 30k miles/18 months.
nuttywobbler said:
Almera, can get a nice one for £300
Not even thought of that, I'll go and have a search. Cheersmr_spock said:
Skoda Fabia maybe? Reliable as anything, roomy, quite fun to drive, great gearboxes and steering and surprisingly comfy.
it's a polo underneath which means it will throw random warning lights at some point the answer is always going to be something Japanese or Korean
i10 or i20 are dirt cheap and will probably go on forever
mr_spock said:
Skoda Fabia maybe? Reliable as anything, roomy, quite fun to drive, great gearboxes and steering and surprisingly comfy.
5harp3y said:
it's a polo underneath which means it will throw random warning lights at some point
the answer is always going to be something Japanese or Korean
i10 or i20 are dirt cheap and will probably go on forever
Food for thought, thanks very much. There's a little Swift by me that I'm intending to bid on, hopefully I'll get it for a reasonable price. I'll keep the thread updated. the answer is always going to be something Japanese or Korean
i10 or i20 are dirt cheap and will probably go on forever
). Update, I managed to win the auction for the local Swift, £1370. 50k miles, FSH and a years MOT.
I've done about 1000 miles in it so far and have done nothing but put fuel in it. No faults that I can see, no knocks or bangs, no smoke on start stop, drives straight, and brakes nicely. I have to say that I'm finding it refreshing.
Here it is after a first wash and polish.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions.
I've done about 1000 miles in it so far and have done nothing but put fuel in it. No faults that I can see, no knocks or bangs, no smoke on start stop, drives straight, and brakes nicely. I have to say that I'm finding it refreshing.
Here it is after a first wash and polish.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions.
Cocknose said:
Update, I managed to win the auction for the local Swift, £1370. 50k miles, FSH and a years MOT.
I've done about 1000 miles in it so far and have done nothing but put fuel in it. No faults that I can see, no knocks or bangs, no smoke on start stop, drives straight, and brakes nicely. I have to say that I'm finding it refreshing.
Here it is after a first wash and polish.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions.
Nice one!I've done about 1000 miles in it so far and have done nothing but put fuel in it. No faults that I can see, no knocks or bangs, no smoke on start stop, drives straight, and brakes nicely. I have to say that I'm finding it refreshing.
Here it is after a first wash and polish.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions.
Not a bad price either. Hope it continues to behave! Lovely car.
James_N said:
I was after a K11 back in Jan this year. Most of them being sold had MOT issues with rust.
I've seen a couple for sale in my local newsagent's window in the last year, with low mileage, 50K or there abouts. Priced at under a grand. Brilliant car, and a design classic which none of the later ones are. Update!
A year on (near enough), and the Swift is still going strong. Just gone through an MOT with the only advisory being for a wiper blade.
Earlier in the summer I treated it to a new set of wheels and tyres, I wasn't brave enough to persist with the steels and ditchfinder combo.
Other than a new rear silencer, it's been a completely trouble free year. I can't even really blame the exhaust failure on the car, it cracked the weld as I blasted through some standing water so it was my fault entirely.
A year on (near enough), and the Swift is still going strong. Just gone through an MOT with the only advisory being for a wiper blade.
Earlier in the summer I treated it to a new set of wheels and tyres, I wasn't brave enough to persist with the steels and ditchfinder combo.
Other than a new rear silencer, it's been a completely trouble free year. I can't even really blame the exhaust failure on the car, it cracked the weld as I blasted through some standing water so it was my fault entirely.
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