What Banger to drive to southern Spain for £500?

[matty879]

pug 306 diesel would be more than adequate,just so happens i know of 70,000 mile s reg

[burraston2006]

This?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seat-Ibiza-2005-1-4-/262634306946?hash=item3d26397d82:g:O98AAOSwFV9X1u4s

 

Hopefully clicky should work (I'm on a shitepad and struggle with cut and paste!)

[RayMK]

Another vote for a Pug 205 here.  Find one that goes and stops ok and satisfies the normal checks when buying cheapies and it will probably be fine, though maybe a bit battered for £500.  The autos and the diesels go well (My son and I have had many in recent years).  Sorry, but my current auto is not for sale  .  I love it too much.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Saab 900 convertible surely? 4 seats, soft top, not massive?

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[Junkman]

I just imagine setting off with the Junkwife and the Junkchildren to Southern Spain...

I'd need Eddyramrod's Cadillac, because the boot is big enough for the bunch to fit in after I axe murdered them.

Which would inevitably happen about 100 miles south of Calais.

[hairnet]

billys rover

[Mr_Bo11ox]

get a Picasso, loads of them knocking about everywhere

[smellypoo]

Occassionally cheap Spanish registered cars pop up on ebay/Gumtree/preloved etc.maybe easier to buy one you can drive down there and know you won't have any real hassle with re registering.

 

Similar thoughts here - I often see LHD cars for sale that are going cheapish presumably because they've a more limited market in the UK than RHD. Either that, or because they're shite. That said, a quick search on scumtree found nothing of note, apart from this one which is a little 'rich' for a mid-90's fiesta:

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/ford-fiesta-left-hand-drive/1188403947

[Richard]

You're pretty much just asked everyone on the forum what car they have for sale

 

I don't know what you're on about.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/25666-driver-for-a-fiver-1996-vw-polo-19d/

[Cavcraft]

Should I buy JohnK's MV6 (If he ever gets it MOT'd), I'll have a spare astra mk4 1.6 16V 54 reg with 53K on the clock going spare. It will be a little more than £500 (Possibly I'd want erm £750 - not really thought)

Head lamps are cheap for them.

It would be a reasonable motorway cruiser, to get down there, although I find the sports seats do not work for me on long journeys.

 

Is it the Sport model? I loved mine.

[BorniteIdentity]

If it's going to live in Spain, then personally I'd buy something Left Hooking.  You may pay a small premium here (you may also get a bargain because limited market) and you'll find it infinitely easier to get out of when you're finished with it.

 

Good luck whatever you get!

[billyboy406v6]

Audi estate, sipping dizzle ?

[sierraman]

I wouldn't be going any sort of distance like that in an old Fiesta or Corsa etc.

 

You want something that's common in the countries you are going through. My thoughts would be a Peugeot 406 or a Seat Toledo. I'd be prepared to spend the £500 then another £100 making sure it would get there. Eg making sure the coolants changed etc. My deal breakers would be whether the clutch is ok and if the belts are due. Failure on any of these points will see you catching the train. Also good breakdown cover.

[jollyfkr2]

I had a Rover 45 Diesel for my London - Madrid run, every two to three weeks, it was fantastic, 60 mpg or thereabouts, comfy and a decent stereo and having been wandering around a French scrapyard last week, plenty of Rover 25/45 sitting on top of each other!

[castros_bro]

 I did have a place next door in Portugal and drove there and back the long way via France over a dozen times in 3 years using 4 different vehicles. Second best was Pug 106D which made good progress with hours of trafficless roads but lost out on smallness (I had a moped in the back seat)  but beatest was Citroen ZX estate  but  really any of those with XUD in either NA or TD flavours and are common in Spain. France. Portugal with my  local garage rate for cam belt + water pump + oil change 150 euro.  Both cars were surprisingly comfortable over a long distance. 

 

 

 

 

[lisbon_road]

I have a spare Mk3 Astra recent cambelt and water pump and aux belt.  1.4 16 valve doesn't burn oil recent service 105K.  Nothing really wrong with it and plenty of change from £500.

 

Otherwise, I think the idea of looking for a bargain LHD car over here is a good one.

[red5]

Frontera obviously. The popular 2.4 petrol  

[hpi_matrix]

Not really sure what your after? You talk about talking the family, a load of toot and having a decent turn of speed and then you start thinking about fezzers and 106's?

 

I'd look out for a Seat Leon or Skoda Octavia, both are the poor mans golf.

[oldcars]

Mk3 golf

Blue AX would be better.

[sierraman]

You'll be lucky to find a LHD at all under £500 let alone one worth having. Years ago they used to be cheap but now what with having a much higher population of itinerant workers and people with homes abroad, the prices have gone through the roof. Likely looking at at least a grand for something pretty grim. As people say a Skoda Octavia diesel would be a good choice.

 

Either that or a Rover 100 would be perfect for that sort of trip, I'd go out of my way to find one with the smallest engine, preferably with some sort of terminal FTP potential like a dodgy clutch or failing head gasket.

[Keymaster]

Toyota Yaris or Honda Civic? either would get you there without any issues and probably cope with being laid up for long periods without going horrendously moody.

 

This.

 

If I was in your situation I'd definitely be going Japanese as there's more chance they will cope with long layups. My choice? Probably a late 90's shape Corolla 5 door ideally painted a light colour & with working air con.  So, basically this one here:

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/toyota/toyota-corolla-1.3l-auto-5-door-very-good-condition.-full-service-history./1189160609

 

Or if you're feeling brave how about a Spanish registered Laguna with its front towing eye in place &  described as "stood for a while". WCPGW?

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/renault/africa-exporters-renault-laguna-diesel-left-hand-drive/1189095750

[Vince70]

How about an old A class.

These things seem to be like a tardis inside yet small on the outside and are Autoshite through and through.

Also cheap to run as long as the semi auto gearbox isn't playing up.

Would something like this one do.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361740315702

And its easy to find one for under £500

[Tetleysmooth]

I'd definitely go for a Volvo 850 or early V70.

Bags of room. Comfortable long range cruiser.

[bub2006]

I've just picked up the other week a kia carens 1.8 auto with ac and 23k on the clock for 300. Very comfy and all seem to be cheap. May be worth a consideration

[CortinaDave]

Get a ford puma. Absolute hoot to drive, pretty reliable and cheap as chips

[Cavcraft]

How about an old A class.

These things seem to be like a tardis inside yet small on the outside and are Autoshite through and through.

Also cheap to run as long as the semi auto gearbox isn't playing up.

Would something like this one do.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361740315702

And its easy to find one for under £500

 

One of them would be ideal for an 8,000 mile journey. Just as long as you wanted to spend 7,999 miles and 100 yards on the back of a recovery truck. 

 

 

 

 

Another* vote for a Peugeot 406 HDi 90.

[dieselnutjob]

Berlingo

 

they are tough, practical and very popular down there

[Negative Creep]

Rover 75 V6

[406V6]

Another vote for something LHD. It won't stick out from the background when in Spain. Go for something Spanish built or PSA so parts will be plentiful. Working a/c would be a good thing too.

[AMC Rebel]

Another vote for something LHD. It won't stick out from the background when in Spain. Go for something Spanish built or PSA so parts will be plentiful. Working a/c would be a good thing too.

PSA and Spanish built FTW then - I know they make Picassos there - what else?