I have a budget of �3000 and need a wee small car!!! HELP

[dolly pond]

I`m after a small, cheap to run car not too old, any suggestions?

Limited budget as poor at the moment.

Hate micras!!

[phil04029]

how bout rover 200 or te new 216 wateva it is.....great looking cars had 1 a few years ago lovely inside and their going for peanuts at the moment probabily sumet to do with you cant get parts for them....but im sure if it doest break down then that wont be a problem will it

[snapdarlich]

Whatever you do, don't buy an alfa. Ok when still in warranty. Nothing but a money drain when the bill's are yours to pay. Disastrous!

Services during warranty are crazy too! Service for a 1.6 Alfa 156 was �350!!!
147 pretty much the same.

[LoftyLottie]

Have an amazing Toyota Starlet (now out of production) Best small car I have ever had - easy to handle and very, very nippy.

[Cockney_si]

How about a Fiat Bravo, 2001 shape or so, 1.2 16valve version is pretty nippy and equipment levels are good.

Engine sizes do come larger too and prices are reasonable cheap and insurance groups are low.

[whiffey]

Serious suggestion, have a look at Citroen Saxo 1.1

Very reliable, cheap to insure.

[Cockney_si]

Maybe a good idea to check the euro ncap ratings for these small cars as lots of them are less than 3 stars and not very safe in a crunch.

[Psychick]

Surprised you didnt mention a volkswagon lupo cockney_si :)

(dolly pond, dont actually go for one of those unless its guaranteed not to have the faulty clutch bracket that snaps!!! Apart from that, they are actually lovely little cars!)

[Cockney_si]

Honda Jazz

[Bewlay Bros]

On a limited budget, I assume money may be a bit tight.

Therefore one has to look at insurance costs and you want a highly reliable car.

The best option I can think of, given you want some street cred, is a honda HRV. Opt for a 2WD as a 4WD is pointless and will cost a little more to run.

One of the most relaible cars on the road with a fairly fast Vtec engine and cheap to run at 1.6 litres.

Also at the 3k mark, it would have reached that static point for a few years so you should get your money back if you sell next year.

For a cheap car, they also look fairly smart as well. The size of a small car, but a slight air of 4x4 about it.

[dolly pond]

thanks Cockney_si, whiffey, Bewlay Bros, for your help, really appreciated.

will carry on perusing auto trader until something jumps out and hits me........ now now whiffey