Daily run around thats ticks all the boxes? Is there one?

Ok, so I'm after a cheap run around but can't find one that meets all the requirements. I can't search for all the requirements I'm after on ebay or autotrader so I'm hoping some one on here might know of something that fits the bill. It's quite a tall order so don't take the p*ss cos I know I'm asking a lot.
Ok, it's gotta be cheap 300-500 quid (closer to the 300 mark pref), ideally with a CD player and reliable. It's gotta have electric windows, electric sun roof & mirrors (mirrors not too much of an issue). It's gotta have central locking (remote pref but not essential). It's gotta be under 1549cc so I can get the cheap tax. Now, there's plenty of cars out there that fit the bill so far but, and it's a big but… I'd really like an automatic. I've been driving an old rover 416 auto with the Honda engine, fantastic little car but not in the cheap tax bracket (plus it's dead now). Rover do the 414 but not in auto (I don't think so anyway). The only thing I've found so far that ticks every box is a Proton something-or-other but it's 600 quid. There must be something.
Call me tight, but I want cheap cos I got so much other stuff to be spending my money on. I just want a car that does the job, cheaply.
So, if anyone knows of anything please fill me in. Anyone got a Mk1 with all these requirements going for cheap? Ha haa.

Cheers

Got a chinquichento sporting?? 1.1? ?400
Or a jetta GTI? ?350?

got a vectra ?50

="jonnymk1"]Got a chinquichento sporting?? 1.1? ?400

Does it tick any of the boxes apart from the fact it'll be on the cheap tax bracket?

jonnymk1 said

Got a chinquichento sporting?? 1.1? ?400quote]

Does it tick any of the boxes apart from the fact it'll be on the cheap tax bracket?

Remote centeral locking
Electric windows
under 1.5

Plus its good fun and cheap as chips to run!

The jetta doesnt tick nearly as many boxes granted!!!

jonnymk1 said

Remote centeral locking
Electric windows
under 1.5

Plus its good fun and cheap as chips to run!

The jetta doesnt tick nearly as many boxes granted!!!

I would be interested but really got my heart set on an auto.

No probs, have a think about it, where abouts are you?

1.5 honda civic between 92/96 loads of auto's mostly owned by old people
look ok drive ok and reliable parts expensive mind

MK1 clio 1.4 auto?

I would have to say the honda civic as well, very cheep to buy and available with an auto box.
I was looking at one of these before I found the little GTI I have just bought, they were a real mixed bag though, many with more rust than any old MK1 I have ever seen, best place for you is the auction. Set your budget and be very, very strict with yourself and you'll be fine

Citroen ZX? If they do an auto 1.4? built to last, fanny magnet also. not.

above you criteria in price and engine size mate, but well worth it, my mkII - low mileage golf, 1.8 auto

go on you know want ti for 1100 tehn i wont need to sell my tin top

Don't be a wuss about the cheap tax bracket.  Buy a Mk2 Golf GTI and love every minute of it!

You could get an Alfa Romeo 145 cheap enough.  Either that or a BMW 318iS (either E30 or E36).

I really don't understand people who buy a car they don't love because the have to drive it every day.  I've had a Lancia Dedra 2.0 ie as a daily driver, a BMW E30 318iS, an Alfa Romeo 164 3.0 V6, a Jeep Cherokee 4.0 straight 6, etc…  They might cost a little more to run than a Metro Diesel but come on, at least you enjoy yourself when driving them and you don't mind people seeing the badge or your keyring or giving people a lift!

Why would anyone choose something like a Citroen ZX which you'll have every minute of when you can have something quick that'll put a smile on your face every time you open the throttle without spending loads and loads of cash.

Look at it this way, you are out with your mates and you are designated driver.  You get chatting to a pretty young lady and end up giving her plus all your mates a lift home.  As you walk out to the car park and blip your alarm key fob, would you rather the indicators on something with alloys, leather seats and a sub 10 seconds 0-60 flashed or something that just screamed out "cheap"?

Not everyones as shallow as that :wink:  and personally i would like to think that any prospective young lady (or old :wink: )  would be far more impressed by my natural wit and charm, and a shlong like a donkey  rather than what car i have in the car park

What about on older Audi?  You can get those for not alot.

I don't see it as shallow to want to drive a car that handles, goes and stops well!

It's not all about looks, it's about when you have to drive along a twisty B-road or down a motorway and you are in a care that you hate - I can't stand that!!

have to agree, that if you are to drive the car every day, it's a good idea to be in something that you like. that's if you can afford it though. if you need to have cheep tax, insurance and fuel economy, then it is what it is.
 i've had so many bangers over the years for work, but they have all been nice enough to drive. a bx tdz was probably the best work horse i've had and surprised me on how nice it was to drive. i used a mazda 323 1.3 16v injection. that was a great little car, which ticks all bar the auto box.

fair one :wink:  there are some superb motors out there (mostly German) that can be had for not a lot of coin, and despite age they can still be very reliable motors, as with anything though if ya get a rough one its still gonna cost ???????


cheap cars arent always cheap! especially old ones

Topoftherange said

cheap cars arent always cheap! especially old ones

Depends though.  If you get something ropey but a bit rare for a couple of hundred quid your best policy is to run it for afew months then ebay it off.

I paid ?200 for my Lancia Dedra 2.0ie with 10 months MOT on it.  I ran it or 8 months then blew it up (ran the big end) so stuck it on ebay and someone paid ?177 for it.  So I ended up with a car for 8 months that was quick and wasn't an ebarasment for just twenty seven quid!

I hear ya, my mate was well into his Lancias and while his Intergrale was off the road (virtually always :wink: ) he used to run around in a Lancia Thema! great big hulk of a car but it was like a rolls royce to drive, it cost him peanuts and lasted for ages till the roof rotted off it above the screen 8O

he sold the engine and leather trim off for more than he paid for the car 18 months before

Personally if i was after a reliable every day hack/workhorse i would get an old 90`s 5 series beemer, but NOT a 24v version :wink: