OK, I realise no car is going to be "good" at £500 or less and my question is a bit "how long is a piece of string", but......
If you absolutely had to, what make/model would you suggest would be the best to go for if you had to buy a car for £500 or less.
The car will be used for occasional trips of around 2-3hrs (hopefully)
Thanks in advance
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A Pug 405 TD that I could poor cooking oil into.
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Forget the make/model and buy solely on condition but get something with cheap parts.
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Nissan Micra, Daihatsu Charade, Toyota Starlet, Nissan Sunny etc.
Edited by movilogo on 17/07/2008 at 15:39
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something japanese I assume will be cheaper re parts ?
I know nothing about cars and therefore won't really be able to tell much about the condition apart from the cosmetic bits and giving it a quick test drive. I suppose i should just target toyotas/hondas...
thanks
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Look around for an older pre-1997 Merc. Even the shabbiest ones can have some life left in them. Avoid anything sporting a tow-bar. A 190E 2.0 is worth searching for.
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Micra.
Responding to this gives me the excuse to post the classic Steve McQueen line:
"Life is racing. Everything else is just waiting."
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I'll second the 405 TD - mine does 700 mile round trips with ease, on waste veg oil at 40p/l, soon to be free....
The estates are more expensive, as they are great utility vehicles. If you don't need the rear space, get the saloon, as they are cheaper. Boot is still big enough.
Another choice could be a Jetta - another saloon car that has zero image.
Don't forget the Cavalier - the 2.0 gives 40 mpg driven sensibly. Some still being sold by the old-boy second owners. Good cars still.
Edited by oldnotbold on 17/07/2008 at 15:56
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i love my 2.0auto 1991 190e.
been in family from new and now got 200k on it and only fault in all this time was a head gasket last year. body work is immaculate and so is interior after its twice yearly valet
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something japanese I assume will be cheaper re parts ?
quite the opposite buy a ford/vauxhall/rover - the breakers yards are full of em and you can get spares from your local newsagent (well almost)!
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>>OK, I realise no car is going to be "good" at £500 or less and
Nonsense. A 9 year old Vectra/Mondeo with 100k on the clock, and aircon, CD player, 2 careful owners will come under budget if you're not paying the autotrader price.
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thanks all
this is all good stuf
like i said, I haven't a clue...
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Ford Escort.
You might even get one that's been cherished a bit by its last owner and is in genuinely good condition, clean and shiny, MOT'd etc.
A future classic. :)
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>>Escort
You must be joking! His budget will get him a 21st century Mondeo. Here's one that missed the 21st century by a few weeks, has aircon.
1999 FORD MONDEO 2.0i Si 5dr [AC] Hatchback
Price: £450
Features: 100 miles Manual Black Petrol Hatchback 1989 cc
Full Description:
MOT TIL JAN 2009, FULL SERVICE HISTORY WITH BELOW AVG MILES. SPORTS SEATS, A/C, CD RADIO, ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND MIRRORS, LOVELY CONDITION THROUGHOUT. SUPERB DRIVE. VERY CHEAP RELIABLE FUN CAR. £450.
Trade Seller:
lnc
Contact number: 07954 984422
Distance: 10 miles from se1
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