48 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

I'm likely to have to lay the Mayfair up in February as the list of things to get it through another MOT has grown and my motoring budget has gone in the opposite direction   I'd like to get a runabout while I save up and decide what to do with mini.

 

My spec is as follows and I would welcome your ideas!!! :

 

- bangernomics budget of £500

- 80s/90s/early 2000s to avoid electrickery and bulk

- reliable and easy to maintain at home

- fits in a garage

- running costs (MPG, tax, insurance etc) similar to 998 mini

- happy on the motorway

- interesting or retro in some way is a bonus 

- not Japanese. Bad experience.

 

Amazingly the Mini manages all of the above but rust and many other little things have got on top of it 

[SuperDeLuxeNick]

hits 5 or 6 of the points........... :)

 

Mk1 MX5

 

cheap, fun.

[SuperDeLuxeNick]

but a more serious suggestion,

 

mk1 or mk2 Polo Breadvan - seriously cheap, retro AF.

[lewBlew]

hits 5 or 6 of the points........... :)

 

Mk1 MX5

 

cheap, fun.

 

That's actually a good shout. I don't mind Mazdas really, it's Nissans and Hondas and that whole pimpy car scene I don't like.

 

 

but a more serious suggestion,

 

mk1 or mk2 Polo Breadvan - seriously cheap, retro AF.

 

Great idea. Any left???

[imaparana]

 

hits 5 or 6 of the points........... :)

 

Mk1 MX5

 

cheap, fun.

 

That's actually a good shout. I don't mind Mazdas really, it's Nissans and Hondas and that whole pimpy car scene I don't like.

 

 

but a more serious suggestion,

 

mk1 or mk2 Polo Breadvan - seriously cheap, retro AF.

 

Great idea. Any left???

 

Plenty of mk2 breadys left! great cars and can get loads in the back of one

[lewBlew]

 

 

hits 5 or 6 of the points........... :)

 

Mk1 MX5

 

cheap, fun.

 

That's actually a good shout. I don't mind Mazdas really, it's Nissans and Hondas and that whole pimpy car scene I don't like.

 

 

but a more serious suggestion,

 

mk1 or mk2 Polo Breadvan - seriously cheap, retro AF.

 

Great idea. Any left???

 

Plenty of mk2 breadys left! great cars and can get loads in the back of one

 

 

Useful since I am going to have to start doing deliveries for work soon...

[paulrockliffe]

It's a shame you're not looking at Japanese as there's loads of Primeras, Almeras etc out there that hit all your requirements and will just go on and on and on without much going wrong.

[Quincy Sparks]

Early 90s Peugeot 205? You won't get a GTi for 500 quid obvs, but there are lots of cheapies around. Small engine, good handling, lots of spares, very DIY friendly. On a slightly different tack, I had a '95 Saab 900s (non turbo˙) until a couple of years ago, and they're super cheap now too. Only sold it because it was a coupe, and 2 door plus new baby equalled bad back loading in and out ... Boot space with the rear seats down was enormous, easily a match for any estate I've used. 2.0 litre tho, so running costs higher than mini, VED higher, mpg about the same. Excellent motorway cruiser. Oh, and it went in my (sixties built) garage, albeit filling it from rear wall to door. Would have one again if I had space :)

[lewBlew]

It's a shame you're not looking at Japanese as there's loads of Primeras, Almeras etc out there that hit all your requirements and will just go on and on and on without much going wrong.

 

True true but they're a bit boring for me... something about Nissan which repels me 

 

 

Early 90s Peugeot 205? You won't get a GTi for 500 quid obvs, but there are lots of cheapies around. Small engine, good handling, lots of spares, very DIY friendly. On a slightly different tack, I had a '95 Saab 900s (non turbo˙) until a couple of years ago, and they're super cheap now too. Only sold it because it was a coupe, and 2 door plus new baby equalled bad back loading in and out ... Boot space with the rear seats down was enormous, easily a match for any estate I've used. 2.0 litre tho, so running costs higher than mini, VED higher, mpg about the same. Excellent motorway cruiser. Oh, and it went in my (sixties built) garage, albeit filling it from rear wall to door. Would have one again if I had space :)

 

Good shout, my first car was a 1991 Pug 205 Trio. Loved it! Also like Saabs. Almost bought a classic 900 when they were going for about £500. Shame those days are over! 

[dyshipfakta]

Hot hatch ish 106 quicksilver
R100 with a k series
Something I always fancied for a laugh
fiat seicento sporting.

[absx2]

+1 for a pug 205 and preferably the 1.9 diesel. Great little go carts.

 

I wish I had a 1.9GTI before they became collectable.

[DomCr250]

I'll probably be shouted down but how about a 1999 or 2000 Toyota Yaris 1.0 vvti?

Easily get one for £400, does 50mpg plus on a run, super cheap parts, not a bad drive and Toyota reliability.

Opps, just saw your last comment!

Edited by DomCr250, 16 November 2016 - 10:09 PM.

[lewBlew]

Hot hatch ish 106 quicksilver
R100 with a k series
Something I always fancied for a laugh
fiat seicento sporting.

 

Everyone loves a Metro haha. Is the fiat the one that was in the Inbetweeners?? If so, I couldn't do it. I do like Italian cars though.

 

 

+1 for a pug 205 and preferably the 1.9 diesel. Great little go carts.

 

I wish I had a 1.9GTI before they became collectable.

 

Loving the 205. Diesels were also massively good on MPG weren't they I seem to remember??

 

 

I'll probably be shouted down but how about a 1999 or 2000 Toyota Yaris 1.0 vvti?

Easily get one for £400, does 50mpg plus on a run, super cheap parts, not a bad drive and Toyota reliability.

Opps, just saw your last comment!

 

[lewBlew]

I've made enquiries already about a red mk2 breadvan not too far from me 

[mab01uk]

Mk1 Ford Focus or 1.25 Fiesta Zetec of same era.......