Cheap, reliable runaround car?

[Paul_B]

Any recommendations? Thinking of a common secondhand car like fiesta or Astra. Which is economical, patrol or diesel these days?
Small or up to focus sized. Low emissions / road tax too. Hate paying that so cheaper it is the better.

Its for a second car for swmbo or me for short commute. We have an estate for main family use.

Thanks for any ideas you can offer.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic, Both bomb proof and reliable.

 

[Harvestman]

Using a VW Fox. 1.2 engine, so pretty cheap to run, and has been reliable considering what I tend to put it through.

 

[Adze]

Mk3 VW Golf Tdi - chances are good you'll find a runner for ~ £500 with a years tax and ticket. You'll get 60mpg driven nicely on a run and low 50s if you drive it like you stole it.

Bits are unbelievably cheap and readily available from your local autofactor. They're pretty easy to work on with little more than a trolley jack and a half decent DIY socket set.

As with any car, rust is the killer. Anything else you can pretty much unbolt and replace.

*source: I run a 1995 MkIII Tdi and it's the mutts! So far it's cost me less than a grand incl. MOT, Tax & buying the thing for two years motoring. Fuel for the nearly 20k Miles stands at over twice that!

 

[mountainm]

Ford fiesta tdci.

 

[presterjohn]

I bought one of the last of the Ford Escorts (W reg) 6 years ago for £1000. It was one owner from new and had a low mileage. I will admit I do get it serviced and MOT'd by my brother in law who is a car nut (accountant by trade) who is one of those blokes that makes sure he greases every nipple he sees when he gets under a car but apart from tyres and the usual odds and ends it has not cost me much at all. I suspect I could still sell it for around £600 so as ancient as the design is and mediocre the fuel consumption is I doubt I could have had cheaper motoring over the last few years with many other cars.

 

[Gaudette]

Not pretty but fairly bullet proof a diesel skoda felicia or the fabias. Cheap to buy easy to fix.

 

[Shewie]

Tax exempt cars (<100g/km Co2) might be an option, you might be able to pick one up secondhand for a good price ...

http://www.carbuzz.co.uk/blog/Tax-Free-Cars-List

 

[huntersforge]

We have run a Peugeot 107 for the last 3 years as our run about and so far it's been faultless. $20 roadtax and about 65mpg. I am guessing it will be easy to work on when the time comes.

 

[dobson442]

Vw or Honda cant go wrond

 

[dwardo]

Anything Japanese

 

[Paul_B]

Tax exempt cars (<100g/km Co2) might be an option, you might be able to pick one up secondhand for a good price ...

http://www.carbuzz.co.uk/blog/Tax-Free-Cars-List

Thanks for the link. Noticed the Audi A1 a friend has is on there. He did say he didn't pay tax and I can assure you that car fair shifts considering. I have a 1.7TDi Astra estate and I can say the A1 can leave me for dust round most roads including bendy country ones. Especiaslly bendy country roads!! Handles brilliantly. Wish I could afford one.

I think a nice diesel fiesta might b worth it. Anyone know if Fords still have the old issue where they rust badly if it was made in a year with high steel costs? I heard Ford were particularly bad at making to a budget and any increases in costs results in downgrading of the steel. Was a good few years ago that was an issue. It explained the absence of certain ford escort and fiesta reg plates after a few years!!

 

[Paul_B]

I would agree Japanese but they are normally more expensive to buy. Having said that I understand my old astra has an Izuzu diesel engine in it which is not bad at all. Must get it serviced as I think new spark plugs might make it get some of it's power back. A good few horses have left the bonnet area I think.

 

[uncleboob]

...can't beat a diesel 205, although older than most of the cars mentioned those cars are indestructable, never let you down and brilliant MPG

cheers

Joab

 

[alpha_centaur]

Anything Honda is good.

A 205 is going to be expensive. I've been looking for one for years at a good price

 

[Tyla]

skoda octavia diesel estate, big as a bus and cheap as chips

 

[maddave]

any older VW particularly the Polo

 

[Paul_B]

Anyone know about a KIA carens MPV? Any good?

 

[tenderfoot]

I would agree Japanese but they are normally more expensive to buy. Having said that I understand my old astra has an Izuzu diesel engine in it which is not bad at all. Must get it serviced as I think new spark plugs might make it get some of it's power back. A good few horses have left the bonnet area I think.

i would agree i am on my second diesel astra they just go on forever. Top gear reckon over time petrol is still cheaper when you take all costs into account but the longevity of diesels is a plus i have had more serious engine problems with old petrol engines than diesels
Ps good luck trying to find spark plugs in the isuzu

 

[spandit]

Ps good luck trying to find spark plugs in the isuzu

Make sure you change the HT leads too

Don't buy a Subaru - they rust and are less economical than a top fuel dragster