which best car to buy for less than £1500

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Sat 7 Aug 2010 19:57
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - starfield

Hi all,

I am thinking of buying a car for my wife. Here is the context:

she just passed her test

she drives mainly in town

a car for less than £1500 which is reliable, cheap to insure and run

a car she can practised her driving in (before she drives my 1.8 ford focus!!)

your suggestions will be much appreciated

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Sat 7 Aug 2010 20:28
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - madf

You want something small reliable and cheap..Plentiful and cheap to run..

Lots of choice here:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/nissan/micra/postcode/st87dr/radius/1500/price-from/1000/price-to/2000/sort/priceasc

And many low mileage as well.. Just watch out for the rust in front crossmember...

Edited by madf on 07/08/2010 at 20:29

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Sat 7 Aug 2010 22:18
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - Avant

At this price level condition is more important than make or model. You want to try to see if you can find something that's been well looked after and serviced.

Most sales will be private but if you can fidnsomething at a dealer you get more protection under the Sale of Goods Act - although note that 'satisfactory quality' takes into account the age of the 'goods'.

If you want a steer about makes, a Nissan Micra is certainly a possibility: I personally would go for a Toyota Yaris, but don't ignore Ford Fiestas as there are lots of them around.

Edited by Avant on 07/08/2010 at 22:24

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Mon 9 Aug 2010 12:43
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - madf

Avant

Yaris for under £1500? You may be lucky.. I looked and looked... Not very many as they hold value better than Micras due to better space and being a top seller.

Fiestas at that price tend to be neglected and rusty with potential suspension problems at the front.. Lots around: it's finding a GOOD one that is the problem...

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Mon 9 Aug 2010 17:47
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - starfield

ok, most likely i will settle for a nissan micra

anything in particular i should look out for

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Tue 10 Aug 2010 16:01
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - SteveLee

A quick spin on Autotrader shows a handful of early (2000-2001) Diahatsu Sirion's for £1,500 or under, with low mileage one owner examples available. These are roomier and nicer to drive than equivalent year Micras and are just as reliable - usually better equipped too, they are a newer design than the similar age Micra and fuel economy is astonishing - even bettering the already thrifty Micra.

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Tue 10 Aug 2010 22:37
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - starfield

parts and dealers for daihatsu are quite scarce. considering the age of the vehicle, i would prefer to go for one whose parts are readily available

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Fri 13 Aug 2010 02:03
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - SteveLee

In my experience you won't need parts for the Daihatsu - you'll run it for five fault-free years and then throw it away ignoring the fact that it has 5 trouble free years left.

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Fri 13 Aug 2010 02:43
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - Collos25

My Auntie runs a Dahatsu its Y reg other than service parts its never needed anything at all I wish I could say that about the numerous cars I have owned in the same time,she has had the car from new and I think it will outlive her a super little car.

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Fri 13 Aug 2010 22:11
which best car to buy for less than £1500 - SteveLee
Yes I was going to say something similar! Change the oil and filter regularly and most Daihatsus will run on and on. They don't rust like they used to either which helps!
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