In the market for shite real soon

[face]

I will need a new motor around mid December, will have up to maybe £800 tops to spend. But £600 is a more realistic spend.

 

Need something fairly frugal, low tax and insurance and as reliable as possible as I'm a self-confessed spannertwat. I might need some advice from you chaps on what to look out for on certain models.

 

I had a K10 a couple of years back and loved it. A dealer mate of mine has got a well looked after Swift 1.0 - are these a triple? Should be reliable, but boring too I guess.

 

Seen a reasonable 106 XS local too, over 100k but these have the old 1360 lump I think, which should be fairly good. Seen a Sirion 1.3 too - no clunge magnet but I imagine fairly tough.

 

Any pointers on these?

[Rocket88]

I would recommend a Pug 205, there's still a few good ones about for that kind of money, and they seem a bit more durable than the 106. Good 309 would be nice...........

[face]

205 is definitely on the radar. I think these seem to be creeping up in price a little bit lately.

[Rocket88]

You're right, now's the time to buy. The pov spec ones are still about at that money though, and someone on here has a dizzler one that he got for a good price. Felicia is worth considering as well, they seem to fetch bog all, and aren't a bad old thing.

[garethj]

My 205 is the diesel, prices will only increase after it's sold of course.

 

You don't want a sunroof because they leak, power steering is nice, check for clonks on the front end which can be fixed quite easily or squeaks on the rear axle which are much more expensive.

 

Mine's been great for the last year and 20,000 miles

[DVee8]

How about a Citroen ZX here 1 i found earlier.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

[Cavcraft]

106s are ok, panels are a bit flimsy and door hinges are made out of wet bog roll but on the whole they're a decent enough little thing.

[Baz]

If reliability is important, I'd always go Japanese, and you'd probably find the Swift or Sirion aren't as tedious as you'd think....Both are on my list of Shite to try.

 

Am I the only person who never really liked the little Peugeots very much? Even when new (Back when I was actually in the motor trade), I always found them flimsy, tinny, and (GTi's aside) not all that pleasant to drive.

 

I've yet to be disappointed by a Japanese car.

[Rocket88]

I do agree with Sir Baz, mid nineties Civics are nice, and seem to go for bog all, as they were popular with the giffer brigade, you might find a well cared for one somewhere. Just got one for my cousin, and apart from a rusty bonnet, it's fab..........£220

[phil_lihp]

Definitely stick to Jap or Korean makes if you can, K10 Micras seem to be indestructible (though saying that the sills tend to rot), Swifts are OK but pretty nasty to drive. Alternatively, the bay is stuffed full of Hyundai Accents and the like, pretty robust if not inspiring.

 

If you're looking for something small, how about a Honda Logo? I seem to remember they were rated for reliability as per most nineties Hondas. That's if you can find one...

[catsinthewelder]

I'd just go out with an open mind and buy on condition rather than percieved quality, there seem to be a lot of people out there that will spend the extra for a Honda or a Golf then think they don't need to maintain it because "it's reliable innit."

[garethj]

I'd just go out with an open mind and buy on condition rather than percieved quality, there seem to be a lot of people out there that will spend the extra for a Honda or a Golf then think they don't need to maintain it because "it's reliable innit."

What he said.

 

How something's been cared for during the last 15 years matters more than "the quality of the plastics" when it was new.

[splatthefat]

I've got a Mazda 323F for sale, '98 on the R 1.5LX (so cheap tax), insurance wasn't bad IIRC and it's good on fool (about 40mpg if used sensibly).

 

Hasn't got MOT or tax, and needs rear nearside shock, CV boots and a tyre (i think ) for MOT, body is fair but interior is tidy and everything, works. Car is in Norwich and I'm open to offers.

 

CJ

[Joseph]

Ok, you've considered a Suzuki Swift, winter is coming up, so why don't you go for one of these:

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-JUSTY- ... 4abe85f542

[Morgan84]

Old Peugeot diesel 1.9D, or maybe a Skoda Felicia 1.3 or 1.9 D - worthless,but good motors

[Felly Magic]

I currently run a Felicia 1.3, and changing the water pump when it dies is a PITA. Poor Daverapid had to drop the engine in the end!

[Morgan84]

Maybe go for the 1.6 or the oil burner version ? There are some nice spec ones out there,as you will no doubt know. A Bohemia was a nice edition

[Felly Magic]

The 1.9D is a cracking little car tbh, as that old VAG lump is tough, and if maintained, capable of insane miles.