Need a replacement car for £3k

[Marvin]

I'd say a Mazda 3 sport would be a good choice (incredibly cheap insurance and decent fun on a b road) but you'd struggle to get 45MPG out of it. I've got one and my lead-footedness achieves 28MPG, my more sensible friend who also has one gets 35 average, 40 on a run so it might still make sense? They do a diesel with better MPG but I think that'd be out of your budget.

Also, I'm intrigued how you managed to roll a C1, that's an impressive feat which definitely requires pictures

I should say that the way the quotes are going, anything above a 1.2/1.3 seems to send ny insurance skyward. I suspect if I was 21 (which I will be in February) then it wouldn't be an issue.

As for rolling it, it was fairly low speed, but ice + a verge + skinny tyres don't mix.

Edit: just read your insurance again so I might be being stupid. 1k sounds a lot to me as a 39 year old but I gather doesn't go far as a younger driver.

For super low insurance maybe a Fiat Panda 100hp. Insurance group 4 with a fairly decent chassis which so many small cars are based on nowadays.

This just about scrapes in under £1000 to insure but there don't seem to be many around on auto trader or pistonheads.

Having now clocked up 8000 miles driving our Grande Punto full time I would happily recommend one of them for a cheap to buy, relatively cheap to run car.

This is a great shout, there are a good number of reasonably new, in budget options with low mileage, presumably just back from leasing.

Oh, and to address the diesel comments, I'll probably avoid as to me/my family they are a bit of an unknown quantity, with the potential to throw out bills that are 1/2 the value of the car.

 

[mark lufkin]

look at audi a6
i just got an estate on a 54 plate for £2400 with 140k miles
car has hi spec and it great on fuel

 

[geekman]

I should say that the way the quotes are going, anything above a 1.2/1.3 seems to send ny insurance skyward. I suspect if I was 21 (which I will be in February) then it wouldn't be an issue.

As for rolling it, it was fairly low speed, but ice + a verge + skinny tyres don't mix.

Run a quote - I realise it's different for different people, but you might be suprised. It worked out cheaper than corsas/clios/saxos for me, despite having a larger engine. I'm only 18 and my renewal is going to be around £1500, and that's with another car on the policy.

Sounds like you were unlucky to roll it tbh.

 

[Marvin]

look at audi a6
i just got an estate on a 54 plate for £2400 with 140k miles
car has hi spec and it great on fuel

Interesting suggestion. Parts on these are cheap I hear?

Run a quote - I realise it's different for different people, but you might be suprised. It worked out cheaper than corsas/clios/saxos for me, despite having a larger engine. I'm only 18 and my renewal is going to be around £1500, and that's with another car on the policy.

Sounds like you were unlucky to roll it tbh.

I'll do so, see what comes out, but even a base 90hp Mk 1 MX-5 is over £1500...

 

[mattyprice4004]

I got everything on your list (bar the last two) for £500 - but it is British
If you're after reliability you're best avoiding, as everyone will just convince you it's beyond economical repair when it needs a bulb.

Still, shows you could do your requirements with plenty of change for a big TV or something

 

[p1RATE]

I'll do so, see what comes out, but even a base 90hp Mk 1 MX-5 is over £1500...

Tbh mx5's are a lot of money to insure for what they are, i can insure most 6/8 cylinder cars for the same as what they ask me for an mx5.

If i was in your situation i would buy something for £1500 that does 30mpg as i dont think you will end up with a great deal more car by spending 3k on something because it is more economical.