Best car for 1k?

Greenja · 3 Nov 2011 at 20:07

So i'm just looking to get myself a pretty cheap car to get to work and back, so i'm looking for good fuel economy but still something that doesnt look *too* awful lol.

Any suggestions for 1k or less?

Thanks guys!

Luke · 3 Nov 2011 at 20:12

At that price it is down to the individual car rather than looking for a particular model. Scour PH sheds and see what looks good.

Sho · 3 Nov 2011 at 20:28

Have you got any in mind? for that price you could pick up anything.

Honda Civic? If you can pick up a good one thats been mantained

Greenja · 3 Nov 2011 at 20:30

Well my last car was a Corsa so was thinking maybe another one of those, or possibly an MG ZR but not looked into them at all, just saw one and thought it looked fairly decent for the price.

Schnippzle · 3 Nov 2011 at 21:07

I got myself a 1999 Seat Toledo 1.8 20v for just over a grand. 50k miles, one owner, and full Seat service history. Not sure if it's expensive or cheap, but I thought it was a good deal.

Confused · 3 Nov 2011 at 21:41

You'll get more for your money by getting a larger class of car.

This doesn't necessarily mean a massive drop in fuel consumption, or a massive increase in running costs/insurance.

It's an old forum favourite, but you wouldn't go too wrong with something like a Mondeo.

Brookert · 3 Nov 2011 at 23:32

Confused said:
You'll get more for your money by getting a larger class of car.

This doesn't necessarily mean a massive drop in fuel consumption, or a massive increase in running costs/insurance.

It's an old forum favourite, but you wouldn't go too wrong with something like a Mondeo.

didn't take long for the modeo to show itself

Luke · 4 Nov 2011 at 00:23

There's a reason for it though.

burns · 4 Nov 2011 at 07:09

1.5TD Corsa B? Very economical and surprisingly nippy, getting old though so you need to watch for rust.

Rybo89 · 4 Nov 2011 at 08:21

Mk5 Fiesta/mk3 Mondeo/EP Civic is what i would looking at if i had a grand and was being sensible.

Haggisman · 4 Nov 2011 at 09:21

As suggested, a Mundaneo or perhaps a Focus.

minimadmotorman · 4 Nov 2011 at 09:26

Plenty choice around my bro has a 98 1.8t passat which has just had the top end rebuilt. Shame its in poofta gold but its a fully loaded car for less than £1k

Ahleckz · 4 Nov 2011 at 09:30

I just bought a 1.0 Corsa for £200. Bargain tastic. I give it a month before it breaks.

minimadmotorman · 4 Nov 2011 at 09:44

Or on the flip side it could turn out to be the best car you've ever had!

When I was 16 (for when I turned 17) I bought a sheddy rover 213s in white (and brown from rust spots) for £90.
Spend about £40 at the scrappy on panels (in the right colour) pilfered a bit of bodge paste and paint and it was a cracking car.

Until the cam sprocket came off! However another £40 at the scrappy saw me being the proud owner of a 1.5l from a honda ballade (externally identical to the 1.3 that came out). Now looking back I realise I was a very naughty boy as I didn't declare it to the insurance (all my cars now have their mods declared). After that I never had an ounce of trouble with it. And it whipped my mates XR2's backside in a straight line, corners were however more of an issue!

EDIT: Picture!

Just like this! Same colour, same wheeltrims!

Ixon · 4 Nov 2011 at 10:08

Nissan Primera 1.8 16v sport, these can be had for around a grand for a good one, pretty reliable to being Japanese, but they are abit of a marmite car some people love the looks while other hate them.

ash_scotland88 · 4 Nov 2011 at 11:37

306?
There's three phases to choose from depending on taste!

Greenja · 4 Nov 2011 at 11:41

Thanks a lot for all the advice guys, gonna take a look at all the recommendations mentioned.

What do you guys think of MG ZR's around here? I think they look pretty cool, 40mpg combined which isnt too bad and seem quite nippy for 1k. This is what im leaning towards atm, haven't taken a look at all your suggestions yet though.

minimadmotorman · 4 Nov 2011 at 11:52

If its petrol look out for signs of HGF, or ask if it's been done (if so hopefully fitted with the revised gasket and remote stat).

a1ex2001 · 4 Nov 2011 at 12:02

Ahleckz said:
I just bought a 1.0 Corsa for £200. Bargain tastic. I give it a month before it breaks.

The 1.2 corsa I had was the most reliable car I will ever own, I covered about 60K in it and the only work it ever had was new tyres and exhaust and the rear shocks. Part ex'd it on my Mondeo when the clutch had pretty much failed.

Siliconslave · 4 Nov 2011 at 12:33

1. go here: http://pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=162
2. pick one at random
3. ?
4. profit

i think the 7 series looks like a good bet