Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

I am just about to buy a daily runner to get me to work and back. I have decided that I will keep some of my other projects so I dont have much cash free for this.
My question is this, I need something with good MPG, reliable, and most important I dont want it too look like a first car.
All this and I want it for about £3k. Does anyone have any thoughts? what would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Mus

iTrader: (2)

im also in for the same thing i was thinking another smart for two 60mpg

Matteeboy

Ford Focus. Handles well, made well, cheap to run but nice enough to not look pikey. I have recommended a few friends these on a similar budget and all are very pleased with them.

Don't go flash, prestige or fast or you'll end up with a complete headache of a car.

And although Golfs/A3s/Leon look like they are well made, most are very overpriced and all handle poorly at this age range.,

GlesgaKiss

Another vote for the Focus. I've got an ST170 now, and had a 1.8 zetec previously. Absolutely bulletproof, although with being a Ford they do rust if not looked after.

jpor

iTrader: (1)

I have a Daihatsu YRV 1.3 16 valve Turbo with 130BHP. 5-doors, Group 8 insurance, with 40MPH & Air-Con. Currently costs approx. £30 to fill up with V-Power and has a timing chain. Okay it's an automatic (Ideal in those car jam situations), but has the steer-shift option if you want to do some manual shifting. And being Japanese and part owned by Toyota, will be reliable!!! Had mine for 1 1/2 years now. Good fun if you modify them with a lowering spring and get wider tyres
See my scooby for details.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Ford mondeo tdci 115, you cant go far wrong for the money, comfy, cheap to maintain etc.

Tony

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Nissan Almera. Bullet proof mechanicals, no cambelt to change....

Brun

The Focus in my experience ain't as bullet proof as you might like. 3 people i know have had them and all have suffered with sensor problems, broken springs, broken engine mounts among other things. They could just be unlucky but there you go. On the other hand, everyone i've ever spoken to about tdci mondys raves about them and having driven both foci and mondy myself, i'd pick the mondy every day of the week

nisr227

It depends on what mpg your want, and depends on what mileage you are doing but I used a 306 GTi-6 covering over 100 miles a day to and from work a few years back, nothing went wrong other than wear and tear, and it was best fun I could have on a commute without worrying about costs (I had a mint and highly tuned pulsar in the garage at home at the same time). Nearly 40-mpg if I really tried, but on the back roads i would get about 30-35mpg.

For £3k or less, there isn't much everyday fun with practical use as a GTi-6, or personally I would go for a well looked after 306 rallye.

Or you could go really boring and get a Golf Mk4 1.8T (remapped) or a TDi version with much metter mpg but with higher mileage..... either way they have dull steering, are not exciting to drive, are common, but won't look like a first car when the neighbours look on your drive.

RB5 Boyo

Any of the older Nissans or Toyotas, you cant go wrong there

I bought a 1995 toyota carina e petrol a year ago to run around in....I drive the **** outta it and thrash it everywhere and the only thing ive had to put on it were two rear roll bar bushings at £10 each for MOT last May ....its got 120,000 miles on it, runs like new, and only cost me...wait for it....£450!!

Cant beat that!!

If you want a newer model car though, try an Toyota Avensis or a pre 2002 Nissan Primera, both great cars, ultra reliable and the petrol 1.8/2.0 versions are quite easy on fuel. Most of them have a timing chain also so no timing belts to change

Cheap motoring in my eyes