Small/Medium Manual Petrol for £1500

[imck]

Will be helping my Neighbour source a replacement Car in the next few Weeks.
He has no interest in Cars at all. Currently has a 2001 Hyundai Accent 3 Door (His 2nd one) that is burning Oil.
Does very little mileage. 3K/Year. Mostly local.
Just him and a couple of Medium sized Dogs who sit on the Back Seat in the Accent.

I help him with Minor repairs. Brakes, Electrics, Window Regulators, etc. so want to source something that will be reasonably reliable and easy to get Parts for.
Had to go to Korea for the last Window Regulator.

In Manchester. Plenty of availability locally.
Quick browse of Autotrader within 10 Miles up to £1500. Manual, Up to 1.6 Petrol 5 Door.

Ford Fiesta 1.25 or 1.4?
Ford Focus 1.6 MK1 or MK2?
Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 or 1.4? Camshaft Problems?
Vauxhall Astra 1.4 or 1.6? Reliability?
Honda Jazz 1.2 or 1.4?
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Nissan Note 1.4 or 1.6?
Suzuki SX?

Anything to avoid or missed?
Cheap Tyres/Tax would be more important than Toys, Looks or how it Drives.

[Summit_Detailing]

I'd take the Suzuki, Civic and Corsa off your list, other than that find one of the rest which has decent mot history and some evidence that it's been serviced.
All will show evidence of underbody corrosion at this price point.

The H point in the Jazz and Note is slightly higher than the rest - making getting in/out easier - maybe something to consider.

Happy shopping

Cheers,

Chris

[imck]

Summit_Detailing said:

I'd take the Suzuki, Civic and Corsa off your list, other than that find one of the rest which has decent mot history and some evidence that it's been serviced.
All will show evidence of underbody corrosion at this price point.

The H point in the Jazz and Note is slightly higher than the rest - making getting in/out easier - maybe something to consider.

Happy shopping

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks Chris
What's the thoughts around the Civic?

[juice]

I use my jazz as the dog carrier. Got it specifically because of the magic seats which create a great space for our 2 dogs. They're nice and safe in there and there is plenty of room.
I got mine for 1700 as an 07 with 70K on the clock.
Its disgusting inside but that's exactly why I got it...to stop the other cars from getting messed up

[imck]

juice said:

I use my jazz as the dog carrier. Got it specifically because of the magic seats which create a great space for our 2 dogs. They're nice and safe in there and there is plenty of room.
I got mine for 1700 as an 07 with 70K on the clock.
Its disgusting inside but that's exactly why I got it...to stop the other cars from getting messed up

That looks ideal for the Hounds
Which Engine do you have? Any idea on the 1.2 vs 1.4?

I had one as a cheap Hire in Cyprus some Years ago.
Engine was a bit lacklustre up Hills but it felt well thought out in the Cabin.

[ZX10R NIN]

The best FocusMazda3 you can find.

[juice]

imck said:

That looks ideal for the Hounds
Which Engine do you have? Any idea on the 1.2 vs 1.4?

I had one as a cheap Hire in Cyprus some Years ago.
Engine was a bit lacklustre up Hills but it felt well thought out in the Cabin.

It's the 1.4, it's not fast by any stretch of the imagination but has enough get up and go not to feel like a hindrance on the road. Great gear change and surprisingly fun through the corners (minus the dogs of course !)

Mine does mostly local trips but even then is averaging about 46mpg.

[Challo]

imck said:

juice said:

I use my jazz as the dog carrier. Got it specifically because of the magic seats which create a great space for our 2 dogs. They're nice and safe in there and there is plenty of room.
I got mine for 1700 as an 07 with 70K on the clock.
Its disgusting inside but that's exactly why I got it...to stop the other cars from getting messed up

That looks ideal for the Hounds
Which Engine do you have? Any idea on the 1.2 vs 1.4?

I had one as a cheap Hire in Cyprus some Years ago.
Engine was a bit lacklustre up Hills but it felt well thought out in the Cabin.

Echo the jazz. My mum is on her second Jazz and she loves them. Excellent reliability, good on fuel, rear seats can easily be moved into various configurations to make it more practical. Hondas often come with good spec as standard so plenty of creature comforts in the cabin.

Tend be loads about so you can be picky, but I would avoid the autos and ones with red paint. Also I would stick with 1.4 to make it more comfortable on motorways.

[imck]

ZX10R NIN said:

The best FocusMazda3 you can find.

Thanks ZX. No Mercs or Infinitis ?

Are the Mazdas of this age not prone to rust? My 2008 6 is OK but I thought earlier ones were poor.

I think I have seen that you sometimes recommend the Astra H?
Or is that just the higher powered Models?

[ZX10R NIN]

imck said:

Thanks ZX. No Mercs or Infinitis ?

Are the Mazdas of this age not prone to rust? My 2008 6 is OK but I thought earlier ones were poor.

I think I have seen that you sometimes recommend the Astra H?
Or is that just the higher powered Models?

Nope not for that budget

[imck]

To close this off.
He got a Ford Fusion 1.6 Petrol from the local Indy. 57 Plate £1000.
Older Guy had to give up driving.
MOT History good, low Miles and regularly serviced. Minor scrapes on all Four Corners.

Not what I would have chosen but for the Money and History, a good Shed.

[ZX10R NIN]

As long as he's happy.

[Mike Jersey]

Toyota Auris either with a 1.4 or 1.6 engine are great. Very reliable