Cheap run around needed for about 1k

[dl763]

Hi all,

I've got my punto booked in for service and MOT tomorrow but the clutch has just gone, and possibly the water pump.

I'm thinking that it might turn out to be an expensive job to do so may be looking for a cheap run around with the odd trip up to southern Scotland.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Something like a Nissan Micra?

 

[dl763]

I had a quick look on autotrader and saw a couple, are they reliable?

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Seem to be - one of my friends has one and it's proved to be faultless

Have a look here for more information - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=274

 

[brightside_]

had one for a couple of years, the only problems i had were the result of a crash I had in it. Engine never skipped a beat

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Micra.

Boring, but rarely break and if they do it is cheap.
Had mine 4.5 years with just one or two cheap problems.

 

[Saytan]

a £1000 mondeo will be about the newest thing you'll get for £1000

 

[Scania]

Fix the Fiat. I doubt you'll be looking to spend £1k on a service, clutch & water pump so decide which is really the cheaper option....

You have every chance of having to spend on the "new" car to fix whatever faults made the previous owner decide to sell it.

 

[mjt]

Citroen Xsaras are worth a look

 

[Liquidfox]

Seperate incidents but here's what my Punto cost me for the same jobs:
Clutch £180 all in
Water Pump £35 + 2 hours labour

 

[[TW]Taggart]

306 hdi /td

 

[dl763]

Thanks guys, its at the garage at the mo so waiting for that phone call to break the bad news. They did say when I dropped it in that it could be the head gasket going

 

[Hairy]

Id go +1 for a corsa. Pretty bulletproof and so easy to work on yourself.

 

[dl763]

Well it passed the MOT and he said that the head gasket has a leak and the clutch is slipping grrrr.

 

[dl763]

Edit: Looking to be £800 give or take

 

[Nick1881]

Id go +1 for a corsa. Pretty bulletproof and so easy to work on yourself.

A Corsa is the worst car I have ever driven and will be unreliable.

Micra's are pretty bulletproof, or an Almera if you fancy something bigger.

 

[mjt]

Xsara. Has somewhat more character than an Almera.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1468016.htm

 

[dl763]

Almera sounds good, just need to find out what to do now...

 

[Ricochet J]

At that price I'd forget car make and focus on the longest MOT, Tax and condition of the car. Off course all this comes within reason, an E23 7 series or W116 S class would be a bit pointless as you will expect problems with these sort of cars. But a good conditioned Micra or Corsa with long MOT or Tax would be a better bet.

 

[dl763]

I'm waiting to talk to my Dad to see what he says. I've only had it 3 years but it's cost a fortune