Recomend a good cheap to run no fault car

[Thunderchild]

Hi guys, I'm looking to cut down on my motoring costs and down sizing from a 1.8L mondeo to something a bit smaller and cheaper to run. I've never liked buying cars as invariably you get caught and "smaller" engine cars seem to command a premium these days.

To be honest I'm not particularly after the smallest engine possible but something lightweight with guts as I'm well aware that a lighter but well powered car will be more economical than a car that has a tiny engine just for the sake of it.

Any suggestions on a good rugged make/model ? we've always had fords in the family but to be honest I'm getting fed up with the highly predictable electrical faults that develop when the car is 10-12 years old just in time for me to buy it.

[annie0000]

get a clio - there is a reason that there are millions of them on the road. I have a 1.2 sport - doesn't break records, but is pretty nippy and gets a good mpg.

[Graham-W]

Skoda Fabia 1.9 Turbodiesel.
Excellent performance and 50+mpg. VW engine is ultra-reliable.

[AlBags]

Polo diesel 1.9. Well made and nippy.

[askyourgran]

We've had eight Honda cars, usually buying from new then trading in after 2/3 years or so, always been reliable. Atm we have an Accord it's Ok, but the Jazz is a decent smaller car.

[TWR]

Think very seriously on this thunderchild! to come down from a large car to a smaller on takes some adapting, Acceleration/ room/ leg room, inside height, boot space, running cost on the larger cars can be higher but that depends on your right foot and the service the car gets, If monies are available go for a 1400cc derv, my wife has a Pug 207 1400 it's a pokier car with space & vision & service costs are very good, but as said by others, everyone has different choices, by what you have said, "Never liked buying cars" if you are not well up on the Mechanics of a car, take someone with you that knows, there are plenty of cars out there do not take the first price, barter barter & then barter, you have the Money they have the cars if you do not like what they offer, walk away. If it's a HP transaction do not use their fiance or Extra warranty find your own.

[Thunderchild]

Thanks for your replies guys.

TWR, yes i know downsizing will have it's disadvantages, I started with a fiesta that unfortunately was not in a state to be used after a year as I got conned, then a hyundai atoz that I came to hate with a passion. The mondeo is a nice comfy car but really I might be wise to go for something a little cheaper to run as i live alone anyway and well when I take 3-4 friends out (as i often do the driving) they will just have to be tight ;) . My comment about not wanting a car with a tiny engine for the sake of it was because it's the weight of the car that seems to make the difference. I have gotten up to 47 mpg with the mondeo although usually 40 mpg that I'm very pleased with, yes I have a light right foot, strangely have found that speed and temperature seem to make hardly any difference to economy. However 99 octane petrol does get better mileage at least with my driving style

[TWR]

Hi, check out the Pug 307 derv, they are a good spacious car the only problem I found, the one my wife had was a 1400cc a very comfy car but not a lot of power, with the rear seats & the base of the seats tucked in there's a lot of space for carrying whatever, but I will again emphasize, take someone with you if you are buying, there are a lot of robbing sods out there, do not be the one to be caught out, if you do not like what they offer "walk away" there are plenty out there, if pos, go for a private buy but be careful of the cars on the side of the road!!!!!! you CAN get stung, if there is no log book & the seller say they will send it on " Leave it" if you see a car you like check out the prices at other garages, the person ( If you take one with you) should check out the service history, tyres, clutch, paintwork, mileage whether the car needs a Cam Belt due to mileage, ignore people's advice you will pay the price. Good car hunting but be aware.

[Thunderchild]

yea I know some about cars but am no expert, I can do my own servicing and if the engine sounds bad I'll know the difference but yea, I'm in no rush as i have a car so will be keeping an eye on what is about and strike when I see a good deal.

The guy that did my fiesta was a crook but really i was having a hell of a job getting a small car and neede one to get to work - or rather needed to be able to tell a potential employer (agency) that I had a car in order to be considered

[Argonaut40]

Hi Thunderchild, Well it realy depends on your budget. Also when you say down sizing how much smaller do you want to go? Older Nissans are very reliable - newer ones not so as they share electrics with Renault now so that is a recipe for disaster. A VW Polo is a good bet as has been suggested. I'm not very keen on newer Pugs or Citroens. A car that is commonly overlooked is the Mk4 Vauxhal Astra. You can get one at a fairly good price and my wife and my brother both had one - my brother got rid of his at 155k and it was still running great. The only thing they do suffer from is faulty crankshat sensor which is a doddle to fix and occurs at about 55 - 70 thousnad miles. I would suggest going for a 1.6 16V for better response and fuel consumption. It's still a large ish car but it would be a good compromise and ii gaurantee you will find it much more frugal than you Mondeo. You may have people tell you about nightmares with Vauxhalls but the Mk4 Astra is a good one. Its like most car manufacturers - just because they make a good car once doesn't mean they always produce a good car. I have a 1.6 Nissan Primera on a P plate whaish has done 102 an never once given me as problem and still returns 47mpg on the motorway and does not use any oil between services (which I do myself) - now thats what I call a relible car. I know people who have covered over 200k on these. A neighbour has a Skoda Octavia diesel whih lets him down regular and servicing is costly too.

[Thunderchild]

sounds like anything but a damn ford ;)

[Count-A-Strong]

My mrs had a Renault Clio 1.5 diesel. Almost 60 mpg and £35 a year road tax.

[joggerjayne]

Cheap to run, no fault ?

Anything from Toyota.

[sandyRoe]

Haven't Toyota just recalled thousands of motors because of their tendency not to stop when you apply the brakes?

[Count-A-Strong]

Toyota! That would be the company that have just announced ANOTHER recall on millions of models. This time due to potential brake problems.

[joggerjayne]

I've got one. I didn't get a recall.

=0/

[sandyRoe]

I think it's the Lexus this time.

[joggerjayne]

A recall is just a form of after-sales support.

[jno]

yes, just the Lexus this time, but I don't think they do lightweight models. I had a Polo once and it was the worst car ever made, broke down every single month, so I can't recommend it. In fact I'm not sure there's any such thing as a no-fault car but I've had very little trouble with my old Peugeot [crosses fingers]

[Argonaut40]

The Toyota strap line from a few years back makes sense now

'The car in front is a Toyata'

Thats because its brakes are faulty.

[Thunderchild]

yea from the little I've heard Toyota's are crap