Recommend a cheap car for commuting?

[jim]

An office change means I will need to start driving to work instead of taking public transport, so I'm looking for some advice. The typical journey will be a 20 minute commute, so 40 mins per day. Outside of working hours I have access to a diesel Golf that does good MPG, so I expect to use that instead for anything else (and consequently size isn't too important either ).

The key thing is that I can't afford to spend too much on it, but I'm happy to pay more up front if it means cheaper tax, insurance, MOT/repairs. I've only ever driven diesels, my last one being great on the MPG but at 175k miles not great on the repairs so not sure where to go.

Should I be looking at a budget like the Picanto or the Fox, or am I better off getting something older but better? The only feature I'd really value is air-con, but could probably live without it given the length of the journey.

[Dooms]

20min... That 20min high speed motorway or 20min through town traffic? What sort of distance?

[jim]

20min... That 20min high speed motorway or 20min through town traffic? What sort of distance?

First few minutes in town, then country lanes. Approx 6-7 miles.

[Dooms]

I would cycle that sort of distance but I know its not an option for everyone.

I think you are on the right track with what you have chosen. Something petrol (Diesel won't exactly like the short journeys) and something small & older.

[jim]

I would cycle that sort of distance but I know its not an option for everyone.

I think you are on the right track with what you have chosen. Something petrol (Diesel won't exactly like the short journeys) and something small & older.

The thought hadn't even crossed my mind, but given that I'm a) a dreadful cyclist and b) they're unlit narrow lanes with national speed limits, I don't think I'd be up for it.

[Dooms]

The thought hadn't even crossed my mind, but given that I'm a) a dreadful cyclist and b) they're unlit narrow lanes with national speed limits, I don't think I'd be up for it.

Hahaha I hadn't cycled in years when I started commuting 24 miles a day. It's now 40min to work, 35min home.

Check out your route on http://www.cyclestreets.net/ and you might be surprised about what random off the beaten track routes are available to avoid bad roads

[abaxas]

For short journeys you need a small capacity petrol car. Preferable NA.

Fabia is where I'd spend my money.

[herulach]

We recently got rid of an 02 yaris 1.3 which finally gave up the ghost after 8 years and knocking on 90k of short trip commuting. Total cost of repairs, brake pads, 4l of oil every 6 months and a rusted back box.

There appear to be a ton of 20k old lady owner full history ones kicking around for not much cash, and we were sorely tempted to grab another but the OH decided she wanted something new (it was 'her' car).

Presumably using the golf isn't an option?

[DanceswithUnix]

Petrol Punto.

People just don't seem to think to look at them, but check this one out: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01411128932106

£2K, just 14K on the clock, and has aircon. You won't be winning any races in one, but I have driven cars just like it as courtesy cars and they do the job fine. The garage runs them as courtesy cars because customers treat them really badly and they still don't break.

Edit to add: Yaris is a pretty good call too.

Have you tried putting a search into autotrader of up to your budget, aircon, within 5 miles and seeing what pops up? I had an old Bently turn up in the search last time I did that so a little restraint may be needed Good fun and can get some ideas though.

[herulach]

Petrol Punto.

People just don't seem to think to look at them, but check this one out: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01411128932106

£2K, just 14K on the clock, and has aircon. You won't be winning any races in one, but I have driven cars just like it as courtesy cars and they do the job fine. The garage runs them as courtesy cars because customers treat them really badly and they still don't break.

Bottom of the line fiat's are typically great cars. I'm probably slightly biased by having an l reg punto s 60 (not the lowly 55!) which took all kinds of abuse over 5 years and 60k with no servicing till someone decided to write it off by smashing into it to get at my £5 maplin clearance head unit.

[jim]

Punto does look like a good deal, wouldn't have originally considered it but sound like some good experiences. It doesn't look like there's much out there to match it on price, certainly not at those mileages which I think will be the key for me.

I'll keep an eye out, probably going to buy in the next few weeks. Thanks very much for the recommendations.

[abaxas]

Does the 1.2 punto engine still eat head gaskets ever 40k? Or have they now fix that.

[Apex]

Swift ?

[DDY]

Toyota Aygo/Citroën C1/Peugeot 107

Cheap, economical, reliable, easy on the tyres, simple to work on etc. 67hp 900kg, fun to throw around corners but a frustrating lack of oompf on the motorway.

I've been doing 120 miles a day in my Aygo for the last few months, from the middle of London, across many motorways and dual carriageways and then to country lanes - on which I work as a surveyor. Not a bad trip in the Aygo, it's so fuel efficient I actually make money by claiming fuel expenses from the company I work for (it's a per mile rate).

EDIT: What about a 125 motorcycle or scooter? Dead cheap to run and you don't even need a full licence to ride them.

[Zak33]

Ford Ka

or Fiesta... but Ka mainly

[badass]

Bottom of the line fiat's are typically great cars. I'm probably slightly biased by having an l reg punto s 60 (not the lowly 55!) which took all kinds of abuse over 5 years and 60k with no servicing till someone decided to write it off by smashing into it to get at my £5 maplin clearance head unit.

Punto does look like a good deal, wouldn't have originally considered it but sound like some good experiences. It doesn't look like there's much out there to match it on price, certainly not at those mileages which I think will be the key for me.

I'll keep an eye out, probably going to buy in the next few weeks. Thanks very much for the recommendations.

I have found Punto's great cars to drive but I would never, ever own one. Which rate them as a "don't buy" for a reason.
Surprisingly, they also rate the ford KA as a "don't buy" but at least parts are cheap for one of those.
Both cars seem to suffer from bad reliability.

The Toyota Yaris on the other hand has 4 stars for reliability (I've never found a car they give 5 stars) and an average annual repair cost of £25. It's rated as a best buy.

Over 8 year old Italian and French cars are only suitable for:
Those very, very handy with a spanner and happy to get bits from the scrapyard for repairs where necessary.
The incredibly naive, car wise.
Those with money to burn and don't mind being stranded without a car occasionally.
Those that feel like gambling.

Based on the Which review, I'd not touch the ford Ka either.

Before anyone bangs on about some French/Italian car they had that lasted 10 years without the barest minimum of non wear and tear repairs, the statistics don't lie.
I actually have had French cars in the past and love them. In fact my Xsara VTS lasted from 40,000 miles to 100,000 miles with just a power steering pump leak (£150 to fix) and the interior fan failing (£90 plus me stripping/rebuilding the dash to fix)
My brother also had an Xsara VTS. But we don't talk about that one.

Still not convinced. Talk to your local independent garage. Ask them how many 8+ year old European cars they have in for non servicing work and then ask them about Toyotas and Hondas (and to a lesser extent, Nissans.

Finally, ignore the German marketing machine. They are *NOT* super reliable. Across the board, they have average reliability and high repair costs. But the reasonably powerful ones are generally more efficient than their competition.