Cheap modern shite...

[Lankytim]

Hi all,

 

Im considering getting the wife out of her W reg fiesta and into something slightly bigger and hopefully a bit newer, its a 3 door too which is a pain for child seats e.t.c!

 

As everyone knows, there's quite a few manufacturers that have knocked out cars which lose their value very quickly and provide BARGAINS for people like me at the bottom of the food chain. These cars can provide a way into modern motoring for not much cash.

 

The big question is- are any of them actually any good? At the moment i'm eyeing up Hyundai's, namely Elantras. I have driven Hyundai's in the past and I was very impressed with the build quality. An Elantra hatchback looks to be an ideal family runabout.

 

Anybody here have any experience of cheap modern shite?

[Parky]

Had a 1993 Corolla Executive Liftback auto between 2003 and 2008. Two tyres, a fanbelt, and a few oil changes were all it needed, it was a great car and they are around for less than a grand on eBay. I'd thoroughly recommend one of those.

 

Korean stuff is very reliable but a lot of bits are dealer only so be prepared for outrageous prices on minor things should things go wrong! Mrs P had a Picanto which was brilliant but servicing was ridiculously expensive

[Richard]

I had a 21st century car once. it won't be happening again.

[M'coli]

Next door neebs have Hyundais - they rate them highly. He has just traded in his Y-reg Sonata because of the rust inside the rear arch - it didn't show on the outside, but gave in to the MOT inspectiol tool. He now has an i30 or whatever it is.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

How about a Rover 45 saloon? 3x3 point seatbelts in the back, gr8 4 kids but definitely a 20th century car.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-51-Rover-45- ... 0564775977?

 

Here's one that's been giving me the eye. CLASS.

[Guest]

Horsey Horseless.

[Lankytim]

I have heard that the dual mass flywheel on the Horseless can cause grief, so thats ruled right out. Soz!

[dollywobbler]

I'd vote for any Rover with the L-Series diesel. This chap has some handy hints to make them annoyingly (from the point of view of a BMW) quick. www.tuning-diesels.com/Lseries/2545.htm

 

Because Rovers are seen a shit, prices have certainly been tumbling. K-Series is also a good shout. It's a great engine when not steaming like the Flying Scotsman.

[retrogeezer]

dare I say it again but what about a mk2 mondeo?? Good late ones are less than a grand and my £400 one has been no trouble in 4 years. I know Billy hates them but for cheap comfortable safe motoring you can't go far wrong.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

The well-known DMF issues on the horseless can be easily repaired with a sackful of carrot tops.

[eddyramrod]

Hyundai, Proton, any of the discounted Orientals, why not? They're perfectly acceptable for daily use and cheap as deep-fried potato sticks once they get to 5 years old, sometimes even less. Easy enough to get one with 4/5 doors too. We had a 96 Proton MPI followed by a 97 Lantra estate, and later a 2006 Suzuki Ignis which is also a good contender. They are all pretty reliable, but dealer parts will be overpriced, that's to be expected.

[Justin Case]

A Nissan Almera will be big enough and even though it will cost slightly more, it will probably cost less in the long run. They tend to have few owners, low mileage and be quite reliable, especially the electronics and with a chain rather than a belt to drive the cam. Mrs A's is still almost like new after 7 years and a friend of ours has the earlier model (P reg) which just goes on and on without any trouble. As a bonus, the later ones are quite well kitted out, even the S has aircon, electric windows etc.

 

Also don't forget that as it is less stylish and up to date than any of its mainstream rivals, you won't have to wait so long before it will be let into the Autoshite Hall of Fame

[Lankytim]

For some reason, the wife hates Almeras, and I dislike MK2 Mondeos! A Mk3 looks viable, but plenty of worn out examples about- It will be a second car/runabout for the Missus so a Mondeo is a bit too big anyway.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Mk2 Almeras aren't reliable, they bin timing chains and gearboxes regularly.

[ProgRocker]

Also don't forget that as it is less stylish and up to date than any of its mainstream rivals, you won't have to wait so long before it will be let into the Autoshite Hall of Fame

 

Yaaayyyy! I will soon be fully accepted into your club!

 

Mk2 Almeras aren't reliable, they bin timing chains and gearboxes regularly.

 

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I'm not sure about your diesel one, but 1.5 petrols do.

[loserone]

Mk2 Almeras aren't reliable, they bin timing chains and gearboxes regularly.

 

Aware that this has already been eliminated, but from experience; +1. Avoid the 1500.

 

At 6 years old, my first years repairs and servicing would have been 2.5k had it not been for angry letters to Nissan's warranty dept.

 

I will be watching this thread keenly

[CIH]

Almera's likely to be rusty as fook too.

[Talbotman]

Citroen xsara?....Cheap as chips and the petrol ones are pretty durable things................

[Justin Case]

The owner of the garage that services Mrs A's Almera bought his wife one because they're so reliable, so they can't be that bad. As far as potential problems go, the timing chain shouldn't give any trouble provided the oil and filter are changed pretty frequently, and the rusty cross-member only affects a batch made about 02 or 03 (have forgotten which ) I don't know about gearboxes, although there seem to be reports of some saying bye-bye at very low mileages, and others being completely trouble-free

 

A larger petrol engined Xsara may be ok but avoid the 1.4. I had one a few years ago and it gave a new meaning to the word 'gutless' (being passed by the service bus on the climb from Ludlow to Clee Hill village while my foot was on the floor gives you an idea ) Otherwise if you ignore the uncomfortable perches that pass for seats, the replace at every other service brake discs and the gear lever that came off in my hand (not just me, it happened to a mate too ) then I suppose it might just do.

[Jon]

Citroen xsara?....Cheap as chips and the petrol ones are pretty durable things................

 

...............And from the sound of it Mr Bol isn't keen on holding on to his diesel one. The profits could even go towards the Avenger and most probably some more tat.

[AnthonyG]

Diesel Rover 25/45, or a petrol Focus Mk1.

 

Don't know anything about Almera's but there will be plenty of 'one 80 year owner from new - maintained at main dealer regardless of cost for 7 years' examples about. I suppose the OAPs have since moved onto Notes.

 

Whatever Kia preceded the Cee'd (ha-ha!) might be worth a look.

[Craig the Princess]

Does anyone know much about Mazda 626s? My brother has just bought one for £500, are they any good? Will he manage to keep it alive after he has alredy killed a Nissan 100x, two Rover 400's, a Renault Clio and a Fiat Punto in the last 18 months.

[Lankytim]

Citroen xsara?....Cheap as chips and the petrol ones are pretty durable things................

 

...............And from the sound of it Mr Bol isn't keen on holding on to his diesel one. The profits could even go towards the Avenger and most probably some more tat.

 

Nah, he's keeping it now!

[CIH]

Does anyone know much about Mazda 626s? My brother has just bought one for £500, are they any good? Will he manage to keep it alive after he has alredy killed a Nissan 100x, two Rover 400's, a Renault Clio and a Fiat Punto in the last 18 months.

 

I know I wanted one but insurance told me to feck off.

[In The Pit]

Does anyone know much about Mazda 626s? My brother has just bought one for £500, are they any good? Will he manage to keep it alive after he has alredy killed a Nissan 100x, two Rover 400's, a Renault Clio and a Fiat Punto in the last 18 months.

 

I have a 1993 L reg Mazda 626 they are supposed to be very reliable mine is great to drive, its based on the Ford Probe and it drives like a Ford too (tight gear box sporty feel) and was an improvement on the previous 626 which I have also owned they handled terrible.

 

Mazda 626's are very expensive on parts though and the insurance tends to be high, not a popular choice but well worth a look.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I think the Ford Probe is based on Mazda underpinnings, not the other way about.

[retrogeezer]

Lens right, Ford Probe is based on the Mazda MX6..

[Richard]

We had a 1991 626. Absolutely no redeeming features.

[In The Pit]

The Ford Probe, Mazda MX6 and Mazda 626 (92-97 model) are all basically the same car made in the same factory in America, they are grouped together as one Haynes manual thats how close they are http://www.haynes.co.uk/Press/HaynesJac ... _61042.jpg