Plenty of possibilities for a stylish £1500 car. But at that budget, as Avant says, condition should be a the top of your requirements, with reliability, or at least likelyhood of reliability, a close second.

In terms of style (though obvously this will be down to personal opinion) AND reliability within that very small budget, i'd be giving the Hyundai Coupe a close look. This 2.0 example being sold privetely in Manchester would be worth a look if you are not too far away,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190402652...1

There are a few around though (better if you could stretch that budget up nearer £2k) and other engine options are a 1.6 and a 2.7 V6. Don't get too exited about the V6 though, as while reliable, it is not particularly powerful and with its extra weight, not much quicker than the 2.0.

Fails on the 96yo mum transport requirement I'd have thought.

Given the OP was looking at a BMW Compact, i'd have to assume 96 year old Mum will be sitting in the front. If so, how difficult she finds getting into or out of the Hyundai will depend on how tall or short she is. If she is very short, she may not find it too hard at all, and actually, if you look on a ruler at the difference in height between the BMW and Hyundai (7.8cm), it doesn't look that much.

For the record, with that budget and with the 96 year old Mum in mind, if it was my money, i'd be looking at a Nissan Note or a Ford Fusion. With the best will in the world, you could't call either stylish, but they are both reliable and practical, not too big, but not too small, and both have seating positions higher than average. In fact, in the case of the Fusion, i seem to remember that there were various assessments done during the development of the car with folk wearing suits which supposedly mimicked having reduced mobility, to make it easier for them.

If you don't want a big estate and you will mainly be using the front passenger seat, why not go for a two door version of what is also made in a four door? Much bigger doors make for an easier entry/egress, (but can be more of a PITA in tight car parks).

How about this BMW coupe, seems stylish enough? I guess it could be a money pit, but has a FSH and only two owners, but at £1,800 (maybe £1,500 outright) you've not a lot to lose?

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190402654...2

Edited by nick62 on 03/04/2019 at 20:25

what do people think of the 7th gen celicas.. are they reliable ..and are they low or just look low ?

They are low, more so than the Hyundai (by 3cm). I really like them myself, though i believe they have a reputation for excess oil useage. But, with your budget, unless driving enjoyment is more of a priority (the Celica is a light car with sharp handling, the Hyundai is not too bad, but not on a par) i think i'd be more inclined to go with the Hyundai out of the two. Being a brand not normally associated with (at the time anyway) stylish or sporty cars, you will get one in better condition for the money than a Celica. It will be at least as reliable (possibly more so given the oil useage), definately more comfortable, more refined, and has a bigger boot. But, TBH, if your Mum struggled with an MX5, why would you be considering something like this?. Also, surely if you want to impress your clients, turning up in a nice anything is going to make a better impression than a ropey sports car?. As a compromise, have a look at a 3 door Focus, or possibly Astra (which actually looks kinda like a coupe anyway).

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190219508...1

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190328636...1

I presume this is no longer a hot topic as I have had no more suggestions so will keep looking

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..maybe my eye is a bit weird !

I just wish there was a 2 seater used motor that wasn't so low to the ground

thanks again everyone

fair enough..I was listening and thanks for the advice