Which car?

[krhall]

As my left arm is now in plaster for 6-12 weeks I am unable to get back on the bike, so I need some transport. I was actually already considering buying a small run around before the accident for days when I didn't feel like getting on the bike. This has just brought the matter forward a bit.

However as it is my left arm I am unable to change gear, so I am having to reclaim my 5 series from the wife as it is an auto and she can have the runaround.

I was looking at the following:

VW Lupo
VW Golf
Vauxhall Corsa
Ford fiesta

My budget is sub £2k, but the closer I can get to £1500 the better really. I have no idea about any of these cars, does anyone have any advice/opinions on them or perhaps some I have missed out.

I would've bought a smart for me, but she will need to get both our small children in it as I will have the other car. Obviously the mileage will be mainly town driving so economy/tax/insurance are also important!

[yorkie_chris]

Fiesta's are nice, reliable and cheap
Corsas similar but avoid the 1l triple things, they're gutless and seen a few wierd electrical problems with them

[hovis]

Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 TD

[gettin2dizzy]

I think you'll struggle to get a half decent lupo for that. Rover 220sdi is cheap and seem to go on forever.

The smarts have an auto mode btw.

[kitkat]

suzuki alto 1.1 gls - road tax £35 a year. 5 door. about £2k will get you a fairly new one as they were only £5,500 brand new on road.

mine is 3.5 years old and has done 65000 miles - no problems (touching wood)

[krhall]

I have found all of the above cars in the price range and most under 50k miles. There also seems to be a lot of nice looking Punto's out there and a few Mitsibishi Space Star 1.3's (mini mum bus) also in budget.

[yorkie_chris]

I dislike puntos intensely

[missyburd]

I dislike puntos intensely

thought that was a daewoo matiz :lol:

[yorkie_chris]

thought that was a daewoo matiz :lol:

Those too, in fact the next person I see buying one might get knocked out on general principle

[Dicky Ticker]

Buy a VW Polo that needs a good polish and after you are finished with it sell it for more than you paid for it

[gettin2dizzy]

I picked up a MK3 Golf GTI for that money. It's been a pretty good car. Likes fuel though.

nice :)
Is it the 16V?

[Defender]

One armed car driver!!!!!!!

Bikers beware!!!

[gettin2dizzy]

Nah mate, it's the 8V. I've not driven the 16V version, I'm told they're quite similiar but delivers its power a little higher up the rev range with less torque. Based on that I think the 8V suits me better because the majority of the time I'm driving it slowly and gently on the way to and from work.

I think they're cracking cars.
Funnily enough my workmate was showing me the one he just bought yesterday, 8V too. Looked a steal for the money! Pretty solid cars :)

[Dicky Ticker]

Defender jokingly raised a point which made me think Can you drive a non adapted vehicle with a limb in plaster or impediment to movement without it making your insurance void??????
If such a driver caused or had an accident would he be insured,because if he was still insured todays claim culture would take him to the cleaners.
Just a thought

[gettin2dizzy]

I'd love a VR6 corrado. Such good looking cars :)
A g60 wouldn't go down too badly either

[Jdubya]

Broken arm...methinks a travel card will do! Any accident and as DT says, off to the cleaners!

SE Trains run a really good service from dartford you know...

[fizzwheel]

Nah mate, it's the 8V. I've not driven the 16V version, I'm told they're quite similiar but delivers its power a little higher up the rev range with less torque. Based on that I think the 8V suits me better because the majority of the time I'm driving it slowly and gently on the way to and from work.

I think they're cracking cars.

I had MKIII 16v GTI, I loved it, mind you if you think your 8v is heavy on fuel dont buy a 16v !!! It might have less torque and deliver it higher up the rev range but it has another 35 ponies... if you dont mind reving it, its huge fun.

I miss mine. I'd have another one, but for £1500 your going to struggle for a Decent Polo / Golf IMHO.

That VR6 lump is heavy and unles you get the 2.9 highline or the corrado it wont be a huge amount faster than a G60 or a 16v.. remember the 16v corrado is 137bhp as its the MKII Golf GTI Unit, with the MKIII GTI its 150bhp. the 2.8 VR6 is 174bhp....

OK sorry I'll stop derailing your thread :D

Out of your list, I'd go for a Fiesta should be able to get tidy one with a decent spec for that sort of money.

[krhall]

Hmm, thinking of going to the auctions on this one, see what comes up.

I no longer have my arm in plaster (don't ask) and am wearing a support so I think I'm ok.

As for the Daewoo Matiz, Mrs.H had one several years back and used to do an 80 mile round trip in it 5 days a week doing 80Mph (top speed) and it went for ages.

I still see it every day as I sold it to someone at work who too, has had no issues from it apart from my scratch repairs failing (I filled the scracthes in with a red permanent marker so they couldn't be seen). I did warn her though.