What small car?

[Sid Squid]

If you want a value motor then Jap, anything Toyota/Nissan/Honda*. Also don't ignore Hyundai and the other SE Asia makes, they still depreciate faster than other brands but they're good, and if it's just transport your after are worth your attention, not exactly desirable though - depends what you want it for. Seat are good, and share an awful lot with Skodas of course, and are spiritually related to the wondrous VeeDub of yore and thus worthy motors**.

*Although, strangely, Hondas seem a dab dearer to insure than equivalent other make cars, dunno why, but might make a difference to your budget dependant on your circumstances of course.
**But you should be looking at an AirCool of course, how about a sexy Notchback Type 3? Painfully cool

[timwilky]

Avoid a 1.4 205 like the plague, I had one for the daughter to drive.

She passed her test on a good friday and we could not get her insurance sorted out for the 205 until the following tuesday so over the easter she drove my mondao and I the 205. I had to admit it was a nice but small and uncomfortable gutless lump


On the tuesday I put her on the insurance and because of her age had to cancel the no claims protection. I phone her at 9am to tell her she can now drive the pug.

At 10:30 she phones me to say there is smoke comming out from under the bonnet. Smoke or steam says I. now the bonnet is turning black and the flames are coming into the car what should I do. Get away and call the fire brigade. Turned out to be electrical and common in the things.

Lost 2 years no claims because of that, it would have been cheaper not to have made the claim. Pugs. I would never touch one again

[northwind]

Good stuff, cheers folks. Spot on that insurance is the problem, a Mk 1 GTi (which is an unbelievable temptation) is actually doable but only if I get a rattier one... Which I'd sooner not.

I think the dread diesel may beckon... But we'll see. Got to pas my test first. Might get a howler for the first year

Wanna car that can carry a bike?

[Speedy]

Never heard of Pugulars catching fire!!!!

I find the French cars have the most comfortable seats ever! (don't get me wrong,I don't actually like French cars) I drove from here to Newquay one afternoon,got there,felt fine,ready for the pubs and clubs!

Thing is,the XS had a 'Tuned' engine over the standard 1.4,Twin-choke carb,bigger-bore exhaust,and naughty camshaft etc.

And for what I paid,£20,was chuffed to bits with it,everyday,it was cained,it NEVER let me down!

But you do get 'Freak' cars,no car is the same,some really go well,some don't,some you won't have any trouble with,some you will!

[Skip]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I know its french but 106 Diesels always look a good buy to me as well.

You can get some insane MPG out of those 106 diesels - Mrs Skips dad has one, he reckons on a run nearly 70mpg can be had! Its a 1.4 too so you get cheap tax

at the very rum end of the scale i owned a 1.8 diesel fiesta M reg. that thing was fantastic, took me everywhere, all the time, reliably cheaply and was a fiathful as a dog,



then i leant it to my brother and it was stolen

I wanted another one but alas i needed sommat bigger and ended up with an escort 1.6 zetec... and ill probably be giving that way to someone soon as as much as it is reliable, i know its going o go bang.,, fundimentally,

As a side, i bought a 2000 model pug 2.0 hdi in jam for £2900, i know its top of ur price bracket, but what a car, leather air con the lot, bargain, gutted i sold that too...


when will i learn not to sell things??

one of the most economical cars at the moment - the 1.5 dci Clio. Does about 65+ to the gallon. High Specced too - all the electric fancy bits on them.

Im currently wondering whether to change car. Im just about to buy my first house and the bike and car might prove to be a bit of a stretch. Its ok having the mx5, but it cost quite a bit and im having to pay for it still.

+1 for the peugout 106 diesel, my sister has one and it has survived her distinct lack of mechanical sympathy for at least 4 years without falling to pieces. They do good mpg, although they are a little gutless, they are perfectly good for town and a bit of motorway stuff. Avoid one with a sunroof, they have a tendancy to leak. You can pick them up for very little money these days, which is good too.

A Mark 1 fiesta XR2? Bit of a classic these days, if you like working with spanners is fun. Modifyable too, although if you can find a nice standard one it will probably not depreciate at all.

MT

[Skip]

Originally Posted by empty

although they are a little gutless

You're telling me! I was laughing the first time I drove the mrs' dads one!

Always loved the Mk1 XR2 - but I would imagine it would be hard to find a good clean one nowadays...

If you want to go old skool and you could find one, I can highly recommend one of these - although I bet you wouldnt be able to stop modifying it! Toyota Starlet KP61 - small and RWD, drop in an old Ford Pinto and go everywhere sideways....