Cheap run around

[Allen]

Hey all,

I'm looking for a cheap (read under £1k) run around to get me to and from work. I don't care about it's looks or performance, but I do want something that is reliable. This is where you lot come in!

What sort of car can be had at this price that is reasonably reliable and cheap to insure?

Now obviously I'm not asking you to link cars in my area or anything, but I'm just after pointers at what sort of car I could be looking at, what I should look out for in that particular car and what sort of mileage would be reasonable for that price?

Thanks in adance,

Allen

[kalniel]

Fiesta duratec engines up to 80k, Fiesta other (zetec?) anything up to a lot beyond that. Mk4 astra up to about 160k. VW golf mk 1 and 2 unlimited milage (bought mine at 236k). Saabs, Mondeos, Vectras etc. will be extremely high mileage but should be okay if you don't mind a larger car.

Old volvo's good for most but think insurance can be a bit pricier.

[usxhe190]

Agree with kalniel - go with a fiesta or an astra

[Behemoth]

Or if you want something jap then Nissan Almera/Primera, bullett proof engines on those, and no cam belt to worry about they are timing chain

[Fatboy40]

Or if you want something jap then Nissan Almera/Primera, bullett proof engines on those, and no cam belt to worry about they are timing chain

... and add the Micra to that if you want a small car (be aware the newer, post 2002 ?, model is pretty much a Renault Clio though !).

[eshrules]

I have to fight the VW Polo's corner here... currently owning 2 of the 3 I've owned, all equally reliable, fair economy (30mpg in traffic/urban), cheap to tax/insure and parts are ten a penny for them.

age - anything up to 6N for £1k
mileage - shop for less than 80/90k, easily obtainable with the budget

you've not mentioned the distance of the commute?

[Andy3536]

Can't go wrong with a Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall corsa, Toyota Starlet or Honda Civic

[Allen]

Have had to put it on hold for a little while, insurance on must sub-£1000 cars comes out as well over the cost of the car for me for some reason!

[finlay666]

Or if you want something jap then Nissan Almera/Primera, bullett proof engines on those, and no cam belt to worry about they are timing chain

Or a Honda Accord as a Japanese option

Paid £800ish for a '97 (R Reg) 1.8i Accord with 85k on the clock

[Guy]

Or a Rover 600 as a Japanese option

Fixed for you

[finlay666]

Fixed for you

Cheeky bugger

Honda civic as well actually, if you buy Dave's it comes with a booster seat and step ladder

[Guy]

Honda civic as well actually, if you buy Dave's it comes with a RAC membership, as even the AA has stopped coming out to recover his car. Twice a month since the car was made has to be some sort of record, no?

Again fixed for you.

[tiggerai]

Or if you want something jap then Nissan Almera/Primera, bullett proof engines on those, and no cam belt to worry about they are timing chain

Seconded... Cheap to insure, cheap to run, reliable as hell (might need a new battery... but that's about it)
Decent K11's can be had for less than £700

[finlay666]

Again fixed for you.

Not really fixed, it does come with the booster seat and step ladder

Twice a month? Sounds like an Alfa