One of my work colleagues is looking to sell his VW Lupo. I've always looked at it as a decent little runabout that could have its uses.

The Car:

VW Lupo 1.0E (yes, base spec, one up from the Flintstone's car...) W-reg with c.50k on the clock. Really good condition and clean/tidy throughout.

The reasons for my interest are thus:

1) For the run to work and back I do not need a Fabia Estate

2) The 1.9TDi doesn't get warmed up during my 3-mile commute, unless its cracking the flags. This was particularly noticable last winter at -15oC. This can't be good for it. Much better for longer journeys.

3) Both our cars (Fabia and Octavia) are in their middle-age (54-plate and 04-plate respectively) and we're knackered if even one is off the road, such are our work and past-time needs and wants (SWMBO has a horse...).

4) The Lupo is really tidy for its age (W-reg) and would cost buttons to run - Insurance Fully comp with SDP & Business is £300, for instance.

5) My commute to work rarely sees me going over 50mph, so the performance issues are not really a problem as I see it.

6) I have a hankering for some simple, basic transport à la my first car (Fiesta Mk2 950 Popular).

If I were to go for this car (price dependant, not disclosed yet) it may lead to other options (e.g. trading in our cars for a shiny newer one). Given my knowledge of this car/owner, it's one of those too good to miss opportunities if its viable.

Does anyone have any experience of Lupos and any related suggestions about my dilemma?

I had the seat Arosa edition of this car. Fun to drive, nippy in traffic, bright yellow. Can't go to wrong and if it does it isn't a small fortune to fix. Well built, solid and generally reliable. I'd do it. I've been pondering a 1,4 sport myself

If it's only 3 miles and you don't need the car once you are there.....

Bicycle or walk? Both massively cheaper than buying a third car.

One of my girlfriends friends was looking for a first car a couple of years ago and i found her a little Lupo and she ended up buying it, that was 2 years ago and she's not had an much of trouble with it, infact she loves it

Sounds like youve already made your choice if you have money available!..

Although i agree with the above, might be worth considering the money saving from walking/cycling/public transport*

* i apologies for this tree-hugging hippy response

Howay, we Briskodians are not your wife, you dont have to justify this decision to us This has nothing to do with your commute to work, you just want to buy an old cheap car for buggering about in!

Nothing wrong with that if you can afford it.

Otherwise as above, get a push iron.

Lol I have to admit to misreading the title, thought it said roundabout lol.

Yes I would agree with the push bike option, or how about a moped. Hehe.

Or how about taking the horse to work lol.

Captain Scarlet - I've only ever been on the horse once and I returned from that experience wondering if we'd need to adopt when we start a family....

Mike Wrightson et al. - We have a Weimaraner that enjoys nothing more than to chase any fauna it spots. We walk him ("Herman" the German) on dad's arable land. To attempt to walk him 3 miles to work (yes - he does come with us) and back would stress me out significantly before the start of the working day! Similarly getting him on the bus would be *interesting*.

I have got to work on the push-iron menay times before, but since acquiring Herman, that has dissolved.

An old cheap car would still accommodate him and me and any peripherals (lunch...), which is all I need these days. I do use the car from work, perhaps twice a week in the locality, hence the business element to the insurance quoted above.