First car - friends daughter - recommendations around £650?

[nogsk]

Hi, as above, tried searching but took ages for the PH clockwork server to function so gave up!
Needs to be around a litre capacity maximum.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Hugo a Gogo]

Nissan Micra, Ka would be dearer I think

at that price level though, it's all about condition

[HD Adam]

Both my daughters started off with a Ford Ka.

Pretty indestructible, bugger equipment all to go wrong and plastic wheel arches which they WILL scrape at some point, so just a bit of bumper black to put right.

[petrolsniffer]

A low spec 205 would be ideal with lots of change left peanuts to run and insure.

Just seen a 5dr 1.1 sell on ph for £300 http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2156400.htm

Only disadvantages i'd say is safety and no pas but if you can live with that they're a good choice

[Jayho]

I'd personally go for a KA at that price range and criteria. You get plenty of cars which are 1.1,1.2,1.3 which is still group 1 or 2 insurance.

[1275GT]

My girlfriend passed her test last year (21) and we managed to buy a '96 Polo for 450 quid for her. It wasn't the tidiest car but for the money it wasn't bad. 120k on the clock and she added another 6-7k before we sold it with no problems what so ever. Was a 1.4 but only 60hp and still a low ins group.

For a new driver saftey has got to be one of the priorities, even for a few hundred quid. And for that reason I would stay clear of old french cars! The polo is a really solid little car, ours even had airbags!

[Biker's Nemesis]

My son has been running a 1998 1.0 Micra for nearly 2 years, if it can stand the abuse he gives it (over 30k miles) a young girl won't trouble it.

The only MOT failure in 2 years were welding to the rear sills where he jacked it up change wheels. (wkersmillie)

I fitted a new clutch cable 2 weeks ago as the clutch operation was a bit on the stiff side.

[R500POP]

Friends of ours just picked up a tidy KA for £400, needed a new clutch (they knew this when buying), but it's a nice little car.

[Egbert Nobacon]

Biker's Nemesis said:

My son has been running a 1998 1.0 Micra for nearly 2 years, if it can stand the abuse he gives it (over 30k miles) a young girl won't trouble it.

The only MOT failure in 2 years were welding to the rear sills where he jacked it up change wheels. (wkersmillie)

I fitted a new clutch cable 2 weeks ago as the clutch operation was a bit on the stiff side.

Another vote for a K11 Micra.

My daughter is now on her second K11 (bubble shaped). First was a basic 1.0L, no power steering, leccy windows etc whilst she got used to driving. Now she has a 1.4SE+ with A/C and all the toys.

Both fantastically reliable, easy to maintain. Loads of bits on ebay if needed.

Now on a hunt for another for the next daughter ... (wish we'd mothballed the first one now !)

Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Wednesday 10th November 12:41

[Deluded]

Cinquecento 899cc?
Cinquecento Sporting (1108cc)?

Punto 55(1108cc)?