That it, it's b*ggered (What car)

[randomman]

New whole new clutch and rear brake assembly and countless electrical gremlins and a bill that would total £600 plus means I need to call it a day on the old girl, (punto W reg JTD)

Unfortunately I need a car. Ideally £400 quid, ideally realiable as hell as I can't afford another penny!

What are my options, anyone got one going? A trawl through auto trader has only turned up french sh*ite boxes and the usual assortment of corsas. Please don't let me buy one of those.

Only prerequisite is that it'll need to be reliable and do the odd motorway journey of 80-90 miles.

Oh and 400 quid (cash... not that that helps!)

[shouldbworking]

requirements said:

£400 quid, ideally realiable as hell as I can't afford another penny

That'll leave you £170 change. You can thank me later.

[RicksAlfas]

Nissan Micra?

Bloke at work bought one for £300. It just goes on and on. Occassionally he feeds it a bit from Ebay but nothing expensive.

[Garlick]

£400. Blimey, we struggle to find decent SOTWs at £1000 these days.

I'll watch this tread with interest, as I bet you end up with a bargain!

[TriumphVitesse]

I know that its still French but how's about an old Peugeot 205 diesel? They can't be fetching much nowadays. Bulletproof engines & 60mpg, cheap as chips to run!

[Tminus2mins]

I've just recommended on another thread the SEAT Toledo, im not a fanboy or anything but what about this? The older boxier version easy under £500 and very reliable & alot of car for the money.

[anonymous-user]

Job jobbed

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1645982.htm

[Mr Will]

Post office windows and similar places will be your friend here I think. You have to be lucky to find bargains online these days that haven't already sold, but the old fashioned methods can still come up trumps.

[randomman]

Like the beemer, they may well be getting a call subject to insurance (auto, so maybe not to bad) any BMW guys know if this one fell into the dreaded Niksil(sp?) catagory?

Looking at Seat's now cheers

[anonymous-user]

randomman said:

Like the beemer, they may well be getting a call subject to insurance (auto, so maybe not to bad) any BMW guys know if this one fell into the dreaded Niksil(sp?) catagory?

Looking at Seat's now cheers

Just found this for you as well

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1830496.htm

I'm running an E30 on the same plate albeit the 325, mines on 144k and its fine

[damci]

At that budget I would stick to Japanese cars. Nissan Almera or Honda Civic should do the job nicely.

[visual123]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1821992.htm

ETA: French but not the usual stbox.

Otherwise, Mondeo 1.8TDs or 1.8 petrols are worth a look.

Edited by visual123 on Thursday 22 July 16:25

[Garlick]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1841961.htm

Bit bling, but presentable enough....how much would a new ignition cost?

[randomman]

Like both Bimmers but also spotted a nice Toledo on autotrader, 2.0, auto and 12 months MOT.

If anyone on here buys it before I call them later I will find you!

[Sk93]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1876701.htm

[randomman]

Garlick said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1841961.htm

Bit bling, but presentable enough.

New ignition and key needed though, would be great but £500 would involve borrowing money for a start so I can't stretch any more

[davemac250]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

^^^ this one.

[SlipStream77]

BMW E36 and Volvos, here's a T5 within budget;

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1860775.htm

The old Volvo 240's were solid and reliable machines as well.

I hope you find the right car.

[AbarthChris]

dull as f**k and boring as hell, but the engines are strong and the parts are cheap - mk3 astra

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[randomman]

Insurance for the 325 has come in a bit too high really, the 2.0 Toledo is still looking strong. I think the T5 may have the same insurance problems, it appears being 24 and having 7 years perfect driving with 4 years no claims must still mean I'm a boy racer.

I like the 318, I'll give that one a bell. Not a fan of the Pug's I'm afraid (yeah, beggers and choosers etc) but the Astra is something i'm looking at.

Thanks for the help guys, I really mean it too, I felt like sh*t when I got the call from the garage, now you've all cheered me up no end.