What cheap car £500-1000

UKTopGun

UKTopGun

UKTopGun

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Hi guys,

So due to unfortunate situations I am now without a car. I'm on work placement for another 5months and then I'm going back to university (where I can't afford to run a car) so will only be keeping this car for 6 months tops. As this car isn't going to be owned for very long all I know is I want it to be MOT'd and TAX'd for atleast 6months.

Looking for a car that will be cheap/reliable (standard thing everyone says) to run for the next 6months. My journey to work is only 11miles each way. I'm 21 years old, zero NCB.

So any suggestions for cars? Or is it just any car as long as it looks like it's in reasonable condition...
 
I'll get the ball rolling (or rather you rolling) by suggesting an often forgotten car. The humble Suzuki Alto. if you go for the post 52/53 plate (double check this but you should be able to get a 53 plate easily for sub 1k) little 1.0 litre engine only costs £30 to tax for a year. Not only that but they're reliable, cheap to insure and run (upto 70MPG on a run)

I have a Ka which I will be selling this year for something like the above :)
 
Or is it just any car as long as it looks like it's in reasonable condition...
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In general yes, condition is everything at this price point, something that's been loved and has lots of service history is generally the aim of the game - obviously models that are easy to re-sell tend to be worth slightly more than unloved ones and larger cars tend to be bigger bargains as there's less demand.

Things that might be worth looking at off the top of my head;
Nissan Micra - K11 model ('93 - '02). Tough little things mechanically and very cheap to run, go for the 1.3 as the 1.0 is gutless and as they're mostly on the old tax scheme there's no real difference in running costs.

Seat Ibiza - VW parts bin stuff, so decent and a small hatchback so not hard to sell. Yet not an obvious enough choice as to be that expensive. Not driven one though, but seems like they'd be worth a closer look
 
Get a K11 Micra. Most of the newer ones (00-03) are going to be the 1.0 though.
They are bombproof and drive well for what they are.
The 1.0 is gutless but it works just fine. You are looking for a car that works, not one that is fast or cool as these cost more :p.
 
I just sold a 2001 Micra with 76k on fairly clean taxed and tested for £800.

Was a cheapie that I'd normally put in the auction but stuck it on Gumtree and a local supply teacher came and took it away.

Plenty more on Gumtree.
 
Also consider a Toyota Starlet. Like the Micra, these are also absolutely bulletproof. 1.3 engine, nippy enough when needed, although I don't quite think it can match up to the Suzuki Alto's 70MPG :eek:
 
Duke said:
Mondeo is always the answer.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3690284.htm
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Perhaps a bit much for a 21 year old with No claims discount to unsure though.

Otherwise its a good shout.

I will second the micra, I know of people with Y and W reg ones and never had any trouble. I do suggest checking for rust though.

Some of the other japanese manufactured suggestions will also be good, it all depends what you can find at time of looking!
 
I got my 900 turbo at 21 with 0 NCB and i've never paid over £900 to insure it. (it was actually £499 back in my first year) I'm not going to recommend an old 900 even though mine has been 100% reliable for the last 17 years as they aren't all as good as mine. Just don't ignore the bigger/more powerful cars because the insurance should logically be higher. (I was paying less than all my friends who all had sub 1.5L engines for a 2.0 turbo)
 
Kei said:
I got my 900 turbo at 21 with 0 NCB and i've never paid over £900 to insure it. (it was actually £499 back in my first year) I'm not going to recommend an old 900 even though mine has been 100% reliable for the last 17 years as they aren't all as good as mine. Just don't ignore the bigger/more powerful cars because the insurance should logically be higher. (I was paying less than all my friends who all had sub 1.5L engines for a 2.0 turbo)
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This is a very valid point, insurance varies so much, do not rule anything out until you at least get a quote on something. In fact I would be tempted to do that first may give you a better idea what to look for.
 
I drove my dads '98 1.8 Passat for two years when I lived at home and then I owned and been driving a 318 until it died on me and insurance was very reasonable on both so I know about the insurance thing!

I'm siding towards these Jap options though, never considered owning a Micra before but if they are bulletproof and cheap that is perfect ... Where do they get rust mainly?
 
I know the front cross members are a common rust spot for the K11 Micra's, but all in all they are nice little cars, I have a soft spot for them, they are cheap, bulletproof and have a great great engine, very lively and revvy and although there not exactly big on handling they are really chuck-able and can be a hoot to drive in town.

Alternately I would echo some of the post above and look at things outside the box. I'm 22 myself and have 0 NCB, and although I've had my license for nearly 5 years, I managed to get insured on a 2.0 Accord :) which was cheaper than some cars well below the engine size and power band and others were close to it, so was easy choice. Cars like Micra's are common with young drivers, new drivers and probably have higher accident rates as a result so I personally found them to be fairly expensive in insurance, whereas cars like Accord's, Passat's, Mondeo's are seen as more mature and sensible.
 
Anything Japanese from the late 90s that's been looked after and is in good condition. Honda Civic, Nissan Almera, Toyota Corolla - that sort of thing. I would be looking for somewhere around 1.4 litres in engine size, and petrol.
 
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