What bargain buzzbox?

[Spiny Norman]

After years of driving nothing but 2 litre+ barges I've been having cravings to get into something small & light again, and with the possibility of a new job meaning a return to commuting hell I've started looking at wee cheapies in earnest for the first time in years, & it's a type of car I'm not that clued up on.

 

I was thinking about a K11 Micra, they seem to be lasting as well as their ancestors, are they any good?
I had a MK2 Punto when it was almost new years back and I'd happily drive another but do they fall apart? I know they can develop issues with the leccy PAS.

 

Any other suggestions? Not keen on Fords, VWs or Vauxhalls.

[Jim Bell]

Mk1 Yaris's are like K11s but better.

You'd probably want a red 1.0 example.

That would see you right.

[Honey Badger]

Honda Logo.

 

So shite even old people wouldn't buy them....

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201408086456278/sort/atcustom/quicksearch/true/model/logo/radius/1500/make/honda/page/1/advert-type/Classified/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/usedcars/postcode/nn81hx?logcode=p

[Spiny Norman]

Mk1 Yaris's are like K11s but better.

You'd probably want a red 1.0 example.

That would see you right.

 

I'm not sure about Yarises. A mate's girlfriend had one and I really didn't like it at all. I know small cheap cars have small cheap interiors, and after a Merc E class & an XJ6 anything's going to be a culture shock, but even by small car standards I thought the Yaris was particularly drab and grey inside.

I'm sure they're good cars though.

[HH-R]

8v FIRE in Puntos is pretty strong, electrical bits attached to em can be hopeless though, ECUs, coils, engine sensors, as you say EPAS motors, they LOVE to blow a headgasket too. Wiper linkages made of Dairylea. Had an early mk2 when it was about 6 years old and it was shite so I can't imagine time has been kind. Pandas the same, minus the HGF tendencies and with added boot handle faults. Electrical faults aplenty.

 

Still would, obv.

[forddeliveryboy]

Uno or Reggie Cinq.

[Jon]

If you're not bothered about a 21st century car, I'm sure you couldn't go far wrong with a 205. Just ask the leagues of people on here (including me) who have/had one. 

[twosmoke300]

Logo is a great shout. And the Toyota starlet.

 

Or for a less reliable buzz box how about. Fiat pinto. Good fun to drive just a bit ,well , Italian

[Parky]

Pug 106 Rallye or GTI. In fact any Peugeot 106 will put a smile on your face

 

If it wasn't for the OSF scene tax I would also suggest an XR2 as a way of potentially making money when you come to sell but they all seem to be daft money

[skattrd]

Daihatsu, gr9 small cars.

 

Sirion rally would be my first choice or a Charade GTti if you can find one in decent nick for sensible money.

 

Alternately find a Kei car, Suzuki Cappo, Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato etc

[mercrocker]

I have only driven two FWD buzzboxes in the last 10 years (lucky me)

 

One was a Fiat Tipo which was enormous fun but probably fell apart a week later

T'other was a K11 Micra which was an unreliable foul handling pig on stilts

 

I would rather buy a Fiat every month than sit in a Micra again.

[Timewaster]

For real shite points you need a Rover Metro / 100.

Great fun little cars if you can avoid hgf and crashes.

[Honey Badger]

For real shite points you need a Rover Metro / 100.

Great fun little cars if you can avoid hgf and crashes.

 

I had a 114 that was written off after hitting a twat in a corsa SRi who pulled out in front of me, I was probably doing 10 mph when I hit him after slamming the anchors on.

 

They scrapped the 114 as the chassis had twisted out of shape, car was 3 years old and had no structural issues.

 

I've refused to get in one since.

 

Get a Logo it's rare and it's reliable, the 1.3s are supposed to be peppy little motors as well.

[dollywobbler]

Sirion all the way! Great cars apart from the hideous rot. Or a Perodua.

[r.welfare]

Logos are alright, my mum had one for about 7 years.  Just avoid the CVT, they are utter shit.

[KruJoe]

If you can find a whitewall-shape Kia Pride, you'd enjoy it very much if the Autoshite reports I've read can be believed.

[Honey Badger]

Logos are alright, my mum had one for about 7 years.  Just avoid any CVT, they are utter shit.

 

EFA.

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONLY-41K-WITH-FSH-Honda-Logo-1-3-2-lady-owners-from-new-/321478336459?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ad99a1fcb

 

 

 

Behold the aesthetic paradise that is the interior, tis awash with quality* grey plastic 

 

[r.welfare]

The interior looks awful but is comfy enough and doesn't rattle.  Quite narrow though.

[Sloth in a bowl]

If you can find a whitewall-shape Kia Pride, you'd enjoy it very much if the Autoshite reports I've read can be believed.

As the current kia Pride driving Autoshitist then I can recomend these little beasts in 3 door form.

Good stuff is: 800kg, torque laden 64hp motor, comedy control layout, rare sight on the road, mid 80's design with late 90's build.

Iffy stuff: gear change, rust if not garage queened. Low chance of finding a good one.

[320touring]

Clio from an R to Y reg are a good bet.

 

Even the 1.2rn the burd had when we first met was nippy enough. It also manages 5 years without a service before I got the dubious honour.

 

50mpg with cheap parts and ncap 4* for sub 500.

 

Mind you, add another 500 to get a 172:)

[jonny69]

Another vote for the Uno. Shame I couldn't keep my grandad's one when he passed away because it was a hoot to drive.

 

Also vote for the 205. A mate had one years ago and it was one of those cars that just ticked boxes and he struggled to part with it for a long time.

[Doctormop]

Suzuki Alto?

 Cheap on fuel and £30 road tax for 03 reg onwards (I think) and guaranteed to make you love every minute spent/mile covered in your XJ6!!

[cort16]

One of them new Fangled Pandas.  I've seen quite a few decent looking 54 plates ones for around 750-1000quid. By all accounts they're pretty great. Plenty of space, simple, tough, quite nippy* and good on fuel.

[skattrd]

I had a new Panda as a rental the other month.... It was shit

[cort16]

That's the new new panda though not the new Panda.

[skattrd]

The Panda I had was a 12 plate iirc, it was a hateful thing.

[garethj]

LHD old Renault Twingo?

 

I've had a slow 205 and a fast 106, both were good fun compared to a Polo.

 

A Kei car with 660cc and turbo could entertain too

[cort16]

I don't really get along with wee cars especially teeny engined ones. I don't live in Tokyo so I don't really see the point other than some marginal gains in mpg and road tax. I'd rather pay a little extra and have something I can fit in and overtake in without planning it 2 weeks in advance. Is a 1.6 Focus really going to be that much cheaper to run and park than a 1.0 Peugeot 205?

[skattrd]

Until you drive a nice turbo Kei they don't make sense. My zatos were awesome, surprisingly quick and lots of fun on twisty roads. I would still own one if I hadn't bought the slightly bigger & faster Sirion.

[eddyramrod]

I've had toothache; good fun compared to a Polo.

EFA

 

Small and Japanese is a good shout, almost anything will do the job.  Also see small Fiats.  Fiat have always made entertaining small cars, I know, I've owned a few.  And I say this as someone who deliberately drives American!

Also, a halfway-decent A-series Metro will be quite a laugh in town, or on back lanes.  I'd suggest Mini too, but there's so much scene tax on those now I doubt anyone here could afford one.  See also 2CV, people tell me they're hysterical.