There's no need to be quite so pessimistic: we should stop listening to economists who run Britain down at every opportunity, and get on and find buyers for our goods and (particularly) services. Above all we need to export.

Welcome to the forum Andy: whenever anyone comes on the forum asking advice about a new car, there are always people who say 'don't do it'. You obviously need a car - or you wouldn't be asking - so let's look at the best way to go ahead.

Obviously the advice not to buy something you can't afford to run is essential to follow, so budget carefully as to what you can afford monthly in outgoings. Spending £1,000 or less on a banger is a gamble: you may be lucky or you may end up paying more for repairs than you'd have paid for instalments on something newer.

As you rightly imply, deals vary. At any one moment someone is offering low or 0% finance, usually becaus they have a glut of the particular model to sell. The list price is less important than the amount of your monthly payments, which are lower on a PCP than on traditional HP, but you hav a balloon payment at the end. PCPs are good if you're confident that you'll get another car at the end of the contract.

Skoda and Toyota are offering 0% on some models at the moment: look at the manufacturers' websites and see what offers are going - but remember that this is on new cars. And be careful about tempting quotes which hide the requirement for a hefty deposit. If buying used - as you probably will be unless you are happy with somethong very small and basic - it'll depend on whom you buy the car from and how willing they are to do deals.

Good luck!

Without checking the details, Vauxhall are advertising zero % finance with a deposit allowance.

You can still negotiate a discount from the dealer.

Good luck