Lillyart14

Vauxhall Astra Sxi (98-05) 1.6 16v. Won't win any drag races as the cars weights in at about 1.7 tonnes. But there's a bucket-load on the roads these days so parts are cheap. The DOHC lump is almost bullet-proof unless your an idiot. Good clutches, good gearboxes. Quiet, comfy, tidy 5 seater, big boot.

Owned one for 18 months last year (03) never let me down. Even with 144k on the clock.

If that's too slow for you, seen a couple of Bertone editions go for under £2000 on autotrader and pistonheads recently. 2.2 litre coupe's.

lozgti1

Good call....

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

Saab

S type jag

Audi A3 (bought my Mrs a really clean one for £1500)

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

£1520 I paid for my Saab 9-5 AERO estate a couple of months ago. 2.3 litre turbo, 250bhp with heated leather, parking sensors, xenons, cruise control, electric sunroof, A/C duel climate control and on 114k miles. I bought it especially for my growing dog as it's one of the biggest and most affordable estates you can get, plus it's pretty fast too. Parts are cheap as they're made by GM and you can get the smaller engined Saab's or higher mileage AERO models for around £1000.

Paben

iTrader: (5)

Actually most Saab parts can't be sourced from GM, Saabs are different in almost every way and just share a floorpan with their distant GM cousins. There is a company that makes most Saab spares now, and what they haven't got the Saab breakers will.

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

Interesting.......my mate, Phil, used to work in the Parts Dept at a local Vaux/Saab dealer and the Vectra B and C parts were sat next to their equivalent Saab parts on the shelves with a slight change in part number and massive price difference being the only distinguishing features. He used to joke that Saab customers got sniffy about Vectra parts when he tried to save them money after they'd scoffed at the Saab prices.........

Paben

iTrader: (5)

As a Saab 9-3 owner I must admit I've never seen a joint Saab/Vauxhall dealership, Saab played down that GM relationship. I agree that some of the parts are interchangeable but if you go into a Vauxhall dealer for a 9-3 part they'll just shrug their shoulders. I know, I tried when Saab went out of business and Saab prices just collapsed because of the lack of spares. They are available again now though.

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

Useless knowledge now I know, but it was Skurrays of Swindon. They shared fuel pumps, bearings, bushes, wishbones, brakes, ECUs, sensors, etc. lambda sensors were a favourite. £50 GM or £130 Saab........daft!!

Not all Vaux dealerships had Phil. He was a bit of a hero tbh. Can still quote part numbers on Novas, etc. Totally pointless now as he's left the franchise. He can probably put you in touch with someone if you need anything genuine GM though.....