I have just passed my driving test and want to buy a cheap but tidy little runaround?

Question

I don't have a lot of dosh to spend (£500) so I know the car will be quite old but does anyone know what the best value car for that money (condition wise) will be?

Answer 1

The Japanese are your best bet in this circumstance. Although if your willing to drive a large car I would suggest a mid 90's Ford Scorpio too. The ride comfort is far superior to even a comparable Mercedes, the reliability is very good and they are very cheap to run considering their size (I have a 2.3 for my work and get 60 miles to £10 petrol carrying heavy loads in very urban conditions).

As you've just passed your test you probably don't have the confidence to drive a car this size so I'd suggest a Honda Civic, or Mazda 323. These are superb cars, fun to drive, economical, reasonably spacious, and small enough to park easily but not so small you look silly.

If you don't rush in and wait for an inexplicable bargain (and you do get them) you could get a mid 90's one for £500.

Answer 2

What are all you people on about a honda or toyota that does not look like a fishing boat for less the 500 POUNDS?

if you want a reliable cheap first car then choose a peugeot 106 or even a 306 if u wish to go slightly bigger they are rare at that price but if u can get one of the diesel models they will run forever or even a nice renault clio granted they dont have the build quality of the japs but if u wish to have a semi good lookin car for 500 or less go french any more info please contact me on [e-mail] or through here

Answer 3

£500 wont get you very much in the small car market. Everyones after them as first cars or cheap runarounds. I can get them in on a Monday and there gone by Friday.

Ford fiesta/escort or Vaux astra or corsa would be my tip. Good enough cars, easy and cheap to repair

Jap stuff is great unless it needs work, then parts are expensive as is insurance.

Dont even dream of a mini. £500 will get you a shell due to the cult status they have now.

Good luck and happy driving!

Answer 4

If you only have £500 then I assume like most young people who have just passed their test that money is tight, so before committing yourself to buying any thing get an insurance quote first.
You may find it an eye opener.

Good luck with the car hunt.

Answer 5

if ur lucky enough to find a mini that a granny has owned with fairly low miles go for it grp 2 insurance cheap tax stick a tenner in it and drive around all day cheap tyres ,parts just a wicked little car really i had one on a b plate paid 100 quid for it 7 years on its still going strong only down points when you get to about 50 55 mph you get a good bounce from the seats so tape a decent sponge to the roof lining above ur head!!!!

Answer 6

if your in the u.k i would be loofing for a ford fiesta,or a ford escort small engine size,make shure its got long as possible m.o.t you should get a 1995 for that money or later model,dont buy a car without a m.o.t because that would be scrap yared material,take someone with you with some knowledge when buying a car.good luck

Answer 7

personally i wud go 4 japanese makes.. maybe a HONDA civic or TOYOTA corolla (old model)......... hm.. well it can be sum other cars aswell like a fiat bravo, vauxhall corsa, astra, nissan micra, those are the small models ................... but since u said tht u just passed ur test tht means u dont want to buy sumthing powerful so tht it comes with a low insurance.. try looking around..

Answer 8

thats quite a question, it could b any car, but most likely a honda of some type but i see that ur usin euros so ur in europe, get a FIAT 70's easy to fix lol

Answer 9

Hi i have a peugeout 205 for sale. Its got MOT til december 07, tax til june. let me know if your interested. Im in the london area

Answer 10

Get a honda or a toyota! Old ones still last you til 300,000 miles!