If you had between Ã,£2-3k, wanted good reliability, low insurance, and looks that dont say hairdresser or walks dogs for a living?

Mostly for nipping back-and-to to work, and the occasional longer drag.

SEAT Cordoba 1.9TD
Older model Civic (same as the Rover 400/45 bodyshape).  the 1.5 burns petrol like its running on diesel.  
Old Model Vectra
Old Focus (though i admittedly dont like fords the old Focus actually drives better than the new ones).  
and of course, the immortal MK3 Astra.  

Land of the rising sun.

Quote from: BeakerSEAT Cordoba 1.9TD
Older model Civic (same as the Rover 400/45 bodyshape).  the 1.5 burns petrol like its running on diesel.  
Old Model Vectra
Old Focus (though i admittedly dont like fords the old Focus actually drives better than the new ones).  
and of course, the immortal MK3 Astra.  

cant disagree with any of them...

i need a car, i needed to get to the doctors and couldnt get a lift or use my bike for once, so i used the bus, ive never been so ing cold and pissed off in all my life, as i was today...

Bus to work here isnt so bad, except I can only get into the office for either 7.45, which is a bit militant for everyday consumption, or just after 9, which makes me look a bit more like a slacker than Id like, so Id quite like the flexibility of my own wheels I think.

Quite fancying a Mitsi Colt if I can find a good example somehere :/

id say mk4 astra or late vectra B (mk1)

I would probably be looking for a Rover 400/45 with a 1.4 petrol(104bhp,IG7,40MPG) or a 2.0L tDiesel(103bhp,IG10,55mpg)
Get a good 400 for <Ã,£1200 and 45 for <Ã,£2000

or maybe a Rover 600 with the 2.0L tDiesel(as above)
get a good one for Ã,£1200~

or maybe a Audi A4 with the 1.6 petrol(101bhp,IG10,34mpg) or the 1.9 tdiesel(90bhp,IG12,53mpg)
get a good one for Ã,£2000+

or maybe a Pug 306 with the 1.9 tdiesel (90bhp,IG5,42mpg)
get a good one for Ã,£1500~

go on
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/

get a username/pass using
http://www.bugmenot.com/view/www.autotrader.co.uk

stick in a min price of 2k and a max of 3k then just see what you fancy

therell be LOADS of choice and some pretty decent card, it all just comes down to what takes your fancy really

Get a Civic, good reliable cars.
Small for parking
Good on petrol.
Parts can be sourced cheaply

Quote from: knightygo on
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/

get a username/pass using
http://www.bugmenot.com/view/www.autotrader.co.uk

stick in a min price of 2k and a max of 3k then just see what you fancy

therell be LOADS of choice and some pretty decent card, it all just comes down to what takes your fancy really

A cunning plan indeed...

Seems to be a few decent looking Civics around, relatively well-priced too. Was always under the impression it would cost more parts-wise than a straight-forward ford/vauxhall type thing :/

Hmm, seems the Autotrader browsing has only re-enforced my pre-conception, theres too much bloody choice, and I dont have much clue how to tell a duffer from a bargain :/

Quote from: BigSoyHmm, seems the Autotrader browsing has only re-enforced my pre-conception, theres too much bloody choice, and I dont have much clue how to tell a duffer from a bargain :/

it is easy.
you do the visual check easy enough:
rust, scratches, dents, stone chips, condition of interior, clean engine? any leaks/spills, how much tread on tyres, how does the exhaust look, much rust?, all the electrics working? have a good listen to the engine, and try and start it from cold(alot of people will run it before you go and see it) see how it starts, any smoke?

you want to check the history of the car:
full service records, dealer stamps in book, lots of receipts for work done, HPI check, all the owners manuals present, v5(log book) present.

aslong as you use common sense, and check as much as you can (dont be afraid of spending the best part of an hour checking over and testing it) you cant go far wrong.


you cant go wrong with the 90s honda civics but they do hold there price very well and are exactly the same car underneith the panals as the rover400/45 that is quite abit cheaper and has better engines and comfort imo.

Id buy a minty VR6 but thats cos Im volkwagen-obsessed. look it up in your nearest medical dictionary, theres a picture of me in it.

Matt

pretty much all the cars in that price range, with todays 2nd hand car prices will be pretty new models, or the more executive/luxuary cars so should all be pretty reliable....

I really like me 3 series, so Id prob. go for a 3 series BM

dont any of the ones you looked for jump out at you ?