New car for £1k? (2nd hand of course)

PixelChef

PixelChef

PixelChef

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Joined
8 Oct 2007
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Hi,

Current car is a Ford KA which is dying.

It's about time I got a new car.. any suggestions for a reliable and efficient car for around £1k? I will stretch higher if it's worth it.

Thanks
 
So, how are you planning to use it, are there any extra requirements than just being reliable and cheap to run etc.?

There's no end of decent cheap cars around, but for pure reliability I'd suggest a Honda Civic. The basic models aren't great to drive, the seats aren't that comfy and the cabin isn't the quietest, but they're tough things.
 
If what you want / need is the most reliable thing you can find for a grand you wont go.far wrong with something Japanese and petrol
 
Thanks for the advice. No extra requirements really, just use it to get to and from work most of the time and it's only a 10 min drive :p Don't really care what it looks like, it's just a car for me.
 
ci_newman said:
You can have something fun if it isn't a daily, MX5 perhaps?
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I can see where you're coming from, but hmm, I'm not sure.

I do not plan to be in my current job for more than a year. So will probably have to travel further in the not too distant future. I imagine a car like an MX5 is not that cheap to run if I had to use it daily?

I want a car that will last me a long(ish) time, and being cheap to run is one of the most important factors.

I think it's not best to rush into buying something. From advice from others I'm aiming for a car no more than 8 years old and under 100k mileage, sound good for a second hand? Might have to increase the budget to £1-1.5k
 
oL said:
I can see where you're coming from, but hmm, I'm not sure.

I do not plan to be in my current job for more than a year. So will probably have to travel further in the not too distant future. I imagine a car like an MX5 is not that cheap to run if I had to use it daily?

I want a car that will last me a long(ish) time, and being cheap to run is one of the most important factors.

I think it's not best to rush into buying something. From advice from others I'm aiming for a car no more than 8 years old and under 100k mileage, sound good for a second hand? Might have to increase the budget to £1-1.5k
Click to expand...

At this price, buy the car on condition, not mileage and age. Yes they can be a consideration, but don't make them a deal breaker. There are cars out there that are getting on a bit and have high miles on, but are well maintained. Conversely, there are cars with lower mileage that have been hammered around town for years, so aren't in as good a condition.

An MX5 won't cost a fortune to run, however they're not fantastic on fuel, I average just under 30mpg out of mine - if I had a long commute I'd consider something more practical and better on fuel.

A mk1 Focus would be ideal for this job.
 
-westy- said:
At this price, buy the car on condition, not mileage and age. Yes they can be a consideration, but don't make them a deal breaker. There are cars out there that are getting on a bit and have high miles on, but are well maintained. Conversely, there are cars with lower mileage that have been hammered around town for years, so aren't in as good a condition.

An MX5 won't cost a fortune to run, however they're not fantastic on fuel, I average just under 30mpg out of mine - if I had a long commute I'd consider something more practical and better on fuel.

A mk1 Focus would be ideal for this job.
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Yeah I think a Focus is definitely a good one to look out for. I saw this but it seems too good to be true with only 15k miles? MOT in April though so could be risky :p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...w/radius/30/page/1/postcode/po202ay?logcode=p

Thanks for the advice on what to look for at cars around this price range too :)

kona786 said:
Celica GT - Pretty much a bullet proof engine in this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...e/postcode/pe140ay/page/1/radius/10?logcode=p
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Good shout, I've been advised by a friend to get a Toyota :p
 
What's wrong with the KA? Focus / Fiesta / Yaris, all ~40mpg+

Celica GT and MX5 will seem heavy on fuel compared to your KA
 
A 1K car WILL have problems. You either need to choose something that you will throw away and replace when it does or will be easy and cheap to fix.

If you are going for #1, then pick whatever you like!

If you are going for #2 then go for a mid 90's 8 Valve, SPI Polo or Golf, very reliable and if they do break very easy to repair. Get one with a good body/interior and it will last you ten years/indefinitely!

(If you get a VW, Change the timing belt/tensioner and the plastic thermostat housing, These tend to break internally causing overheating. Best to pre-empt the issue)
 
I use to buy cheap cars (up to 1K) to literally run into the ground when I was doing stupid high mileage for company on a self employed basis.

I did and still do swear on Nissan Primera's. They are bland, not as comfortable as a Mondeo but go on and on. I planned on them lasting 9-12 months (basically the MOT time left) but all 3 I had just when on and flew threw their next MOT's with little money spent on them.

Because of the low repair bills the money I was getting a 40p at mile after fuel was building up a fund for the next one. They really are bullet proof cars.

If you fancy some more poke then there are still 150BHP GT's knocking about or the 145BHP Sport + which is nicely equiped. The last one I had was a Sport + automatic which had a fabulous autobox. It got passed through the family a bit after I was finished with it and still runs today with 260k on it.
 
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oL said:
Good shout, I've been advised by a friend to get a Toyota :p
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I bought one for £1500. Lovely for the money.

bledd. said:
What's wrong with the KA? Focus / Fiesta / Yaris, all ~40mpg+

Celica GT and MX5 will seem heavy on fuel compared to your KA
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Celica GT will get you around 25MPG round town and 35MPG on a run if you drive casually. And much cooler than having a euro box imo.
 
10min drive to work so the difference between the MPG won't make much difference over the year.

It's cheap and reliable and I think it's worth a shout in the under £1k region. Soo much car for the money.
 
At £1k ish, I'd be looking at
- long MOT and maybe tax.
- last owner to have kept it a good while.
- Been looked after (recent receipt history showing the owner hasn't just avoided spending on it) as well as condition / appearance.
- Starts and drives OK (take a test drive from cold on a few different road types)
- not a rustbucket.
- servicing schedule isn't about to drop a big bill on you immediately (e.g. cambelt on some models)

Edit: and of course - check everything you can visually - brakes, fluid levels etc.
 
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