Right.. what cars would you class as being cheap and reliable...

by cheap i mean £1500 MAX

Examples from autotrader will gain extra points... even more points if they are near manchester

Peugeot 306 1.9TD

Audi A4 B5 1.9TDi

Peugeot 406 2.1TD

Octavia 1.8T

Ford Focus 1.6/1.8 petrol

Just a few ideas there

I certainly wouldn't put my Octy in it as it's been the least reliable car I've ever had, but I'd definitely be looking at the MK1 Focus as mentioned above.. most fords of that generation actually, the Mondeo is an excellent drive. Toyota Corollas are cheap and just keep going but they're dull as dishwater. Nissan Primeras before the angular generation were extremely tough and the SRi is a brilliant drive too despite having expensive to fix suspension. The last generation of Vectra actually isn't that bad but it's not exciting, and I'm sure you can get them cheap because of the 'Top Gear' curse. I wouldn't personally touch anything French, Japanese is safest as long as you avoid corrosion.

Skoda Felicia 1.9GLi diesel

BMW 318 TDS, 325 TD or TDS

Vauxhalll Astra 1.7 TDS (Isuzu engine)

Ford Fiesta 1.8 Diesel

Volvo S40/V40 1.9 Diesel

Volvo 850 2.5 TD, 2.5 10v or 20v

Volvo S or V70 2.5 10v, 2.5 20v

Nissan QX 2.0 or 3.0 V6 24v

Lexus GS300

Mercedes 190E 2.0, 2.6 6cyl or 2.5D

Nissan Primera 2.0 diesel or the 2.0 16v GT - lot of car for not alot.

Nissan Almera diesel or GTi - as above

- all can be obtained for under £1500, running costs such as fuel, parts replacement might be high but they are all known for thier reliability.

Edited 4 January, 201016 yr by Skoda-Msport

Golf Mk2, Polo Mk2/3, if you can find one.

Golf Mk2, Polo Mk2/3, if you can find one.

But steer clear of the early carbed MKII Golfs like my old 1.3 - those Solexes were an absolute PITA and changed their minds based on the weather, the humidity, the position of Venus in the night sky, etc.. The fuel injected ones were fine, 1.6 & 1.8 IIRC. Actually, even a Jetta makes sense at that age because they're almost always cheaper than the Golfs because of lower demand.

Actually, just had a dig - there's a nice looking black W reg Focus 2.0 Zetec w/ESP near you for £1390. There's also a white Saab 9-3 and a Subaru Forester in your budget if you're feeling brave Oh, and also a few Honda Preludes for something worthwhile and a bit out of the ordinary

Edited 4 January, 201016 yr by Interphase

Toyota Yaris

Ford Fiesta

VW Polo

Peugeot 306 1.9TD

Peugeot 406 2.1TD

Just a few ideas there

For ultimate cheap reliability then an XUD without the turbo will run and run and run. The 306 1.9d or Xsara 1.9D are examples of this.

The 2.1TD didn't have the head gasket issue of the 1.9, when people pushed it too far or ragged it, so is a good buy in a 406 or if you can find one for a pittance a late 405 estate.

MAZDA MX5!

Morris Minor

I did this last year and ended up buying a 2002 Focus 1.8 TDCi

I did this last year and ended up buying a 2002 Focus 1.8 TDCi

was it a TDCi though?

yes it was, I made a point of getting a TDCi for the extra grunt, that and I know the engines a lot better than the TDDi

If only toms 328i was still available :'(

Any places i should be looking for cheap cars other than autotrader?

ebay, if its local and you can look before buying.

Yeah, regret getting rid of the 328i, undoubtedly the most enjoyable car I've ever owned, but needs must and all that. Will have another when I have somewhere to keep a second car.

Any e30s locally on Pistonheads Col? 325i is a nice buy, if you go 4 door or tourer they are cheap as chips too.

MX-5 mk1. But find one that hasnt rusted to death.

Would say mk1 clio 172 but if it needs a cambelt then its half the price of the car.

e30 - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1416174.htm

e36 - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1420661.htm

The Estelle I use most days for work cost me £8...yes eight pounds! It's rough but it keeps going and is a load of fun!

Any e30s locally on Pistonheads Col? 325i is a nice buy, if you go 4 door or tourer they are cheap as chips too.

No no! 318iS!!

No no! 318iS!!

good luck finding a 318is - difficult to get hold of these days!

A 318iS for £1500 is going to be a heap anyway, its the next most desireable model after the M3!

I know a few folk using ancient Daewoo Lanos's.

Almost worthless but they do seem to tick along ok.

another vote for the polo mk3 bought one for £70 put 18k on it in just over a year and it never missed a beat! Ok not alots of power but cheap on parts and easy to work on and most of all TONS of character! Ended up selling it for £370! £300 profit bargin in my book. Actually for a bargin run about it was the best car I've owned it really was a little gem and I miss is a fair bit!

My current runabout is a pug 306 1.9DT, it works, runs well but things do go wrong with the electrics (infact basically 1 window 2 gauges, radio, heater and lights work) but it keeps on ploding away and only £200 (speedo and other bits was working).

If only toms 328i was still available :'(

Not a chance it'll be up for sale any time soon, I don't think

Col you have PM.