Cheap, reliable, frugal, some practicality, cheap, reliable

[Legend83]

As I am sure all PHer's do, I am continually planning my next car purchase(s).

I am loving my SC'd MX5 at the moment but I am looking at a 2-car solution to allow me to fulfill the TVR dream....

The choice of TVR is not in debate. I realistically can only afford to run the entry-level 'S'.

The question is, what to pair it with? Just something to get me to work and back (10 mile round trip) and potter around when not using the TVR (which will be a weekend / occasional commuter).

So, needs to be:

- cheap to buy (budget of circa £8-9k, £5k of which set aside for the TVR)
- cheap to run / tax / insure
- reliable, with low servicing / repair costs
- have a bit of practicality (pitter patter....)

So far, the shortlist is a Suzuki Swift, Fiat Panda or Honda Jazz.

What am I missing and what is the PH view on the above named cars?

[soxboy]

Berlingo?

[trickywoo]

Wouldn't you be better spending £8,000 on a Chimaera and £1,000 on a shed? 306 diesel shaped perhaps?

[Munter]

Focus?

Lots available for 3-4k.

[GreatGranny]

Why spend so much on the cheaper car?

Half your budget and there are still plenty of choice.

Means you now have £6.5k for the TVR.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2037046.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2043237.htm

[Beyond Rational]

Ford Fiesta mk6 - lower servicing and repair costs than the cars mentioned in the original post.

[Risotto]

Audi A2.

Very advanced for their time (even now, there can't be many aluminium family hatchbacks).

Clever packaging means they're deceptively spacious.

The diesels are £30 to tax and can do 60+ mpg

The 1.4 petrols are more to tax and run but do cost less to buy.

Plenty in the classifieds with 150,000 or more miles on the clock - reliability isn't too shabby.

Not quick or particularly fun to drive but they're rarer and less boring than many alternatives. They could also be specified with leather, Bose, panoramic roof, etc which is unusual for cars their size.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 21st September 16:01

[Groober]

The missus and I have a yaris D-4d for those duties, about 3 grand for a decent one does 70mpg on a run and in all the time we have had it has not put a foot wrong and its now on 120k.

Its boring to drive but does the job and leaves you more to spend on the TVR.

eta, cost £35 a year to tax.

Edited by Groober on Tuesday 21st September 16:03

[Legend83]

I appreciate what good cars the LS400s are but not my style.

Focus / Fiesta are good shouts.

Liking the A2 idea - a bit quirky and perhaps 'plusher' than the alternatives.

A Chimaera would be lovely but I have to take into consideration potential bills - for which I would suspect a V8S / S3 would be preferable.

Also the fact that I could get a mint S3 for £5-6k whereas I am probably looking at a leggy Chimaera for £7-8k.

[jon-]

£1500-£2500 on a Ford Puma / KA (if you're comfortable with your sexuality)

One of the cheapest cars on the planet to service, fairly reliable and lots of fun in the twisties.

Edited by jon- on Tuesday 21st September 16:06

[Legend83]

jon- said:

£1500-£2500 on a Ford Puma / KA (if you're comfortable with your sexuality)

One of the cheapest cars on the planet to service, fairly reliable and lots of fun in the twisties.

Edited by jon- on Tuesday 21st September 16:06

Had a KA in the past.

While I agree it was fun to drive, I did not find it reliable. During two years of ownership and 30k miles the fuel sender unit broke meaning the engine cut out on the motorway....and the clutch ate itself!

BUT, as you say, significant repairs like those were cheap compared to other cars.

[Risotto]

Legend83 said:

Liking the A2 idea - a bit quirky and perhaps 'plusher' than the alternatives.

If you do start looking at A2s, be aware that for some strange reason, many only have 4 seats. If you wanted a 5th seat & lap belt, you had to spec it from new and it can't be retro-fitted.

Depends on whether or not you regularly need to transport 5 people. If you do, check photos in adverts and make sure there are 3 rear headrests and a lap belt for the middle seat!

[Legend83]

Cheers for the help so far guys.

Current thinking is the Yaris as my BIL had one before he got his 350Z and it was faultless.

Maybe I can push to that V8S now....

[Groober]

Legend83 said:

Cheers for the help so far guys.

Current thinking is the Yaris as my BIL had one before he got his 350Z and it was faultless.

Maybe I can push to that V8S now....

It's a good honest little car, for the money you can't go wrong.

[CraigyMc]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Depends on the age of the Ka.
The first car I ever bought was a 1997 KA2. Most of the oily bits are off the fiesta but have less weight to lug about.
Even a 60bhp 1.3 pushrod engine was enough, given what it weighed (900Kg or thereabouts).
It actually even handled in quite a fun way - I'd not say go kart like (I had an elise, and that *was*). I'd describe the Ka's handling as "chuckable". You could even get the tail out on it if you were enough of a hooligan.

C

Edited by CraigyMc on Wednesday 22 September 09:48

[Legend83]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Care to expand on the issues you had with it?

[eltax91]

Skoda Octavia TDi.. the older 110 non PD version is what I'm running...

- cheap to buy (budget of circa £8-9k, £5k of which set aside for the TVR)- Check - Mine cost 2k
- cheap to run / tax / insure - Check
- reliable, with low servicing / repair costs - Bomb proof, I've taken mine from 75, to 150k in 2 1/2 years without a single brekdown. Oil change using quality oil every 10k and sorted
- have a bit of practicality (pitter patter....) - Check

What more could you want?

[jbi]

Something honda or toyota...

accord, civic, camry, avensis, corolla etc