1k car fund

[Stissy]

A friend of mine has got a grand to spend on a runaround car he’s planning on keeping for a couple of years on the run up to his wedding. Requirements are that the car will be reliable (pertinent since he’ll be keeping it for a while), reasonably economic in terms of tax insurance and fuel (so no 5.0ltr V12 750s, Giraffe), cool and still fun (last car was a 300bhp BM). The cheaper the better really, since it means more money for the wedding – but 1k is the max.

Naturally, I suggested he gets a sax. You can probably pick up a nice R or S for less than 1k. Other suggestions that flew around included a Porsche 944, E36/39 BMs, 106 GTi. I thought I’d post it on here because amongst all the usual bullshit posted on ‘what car’ threads, some people genuinely have some good ideas.

Please no grown up “why don’t you just get a £100 runaround and put £900 in to the wedding fund”. Whilst that is the most sensible way of approaching it, we’re car enthusiasts, and we’re not 40.

[Gandi699]

Tall order for a grand that covering all those points but its going to come down to cheap sports cars such as MX5s, MGF and whatever and hot hatches really like rallye/vts/gti/172. Maybe even a very leggy/battered ep3 if you are lucky.
Probably plenty of other stuff you can get for a grand but they might start to get pricey to fix problems or be a bit of a fuel guzzler

[Brettles1986]

106 GTI's for less than £1K are few and far between. I want one now and can't seem to find any decent ones under that price.

[Gandi699]

gti-6 or rallye (probably north of a grand nowadays mind you)
ford puma
xsara VTS (find one though!)
206 gti?
MG ZS 180
MG ZR 160 (if you are handy with the tools then other than head gasket woes they arent actually that bad)

[stevo67]

Few golf gti on ebay at the moment.

[Jizanthapus]

Something with a 1.8T like a golf, bora, Passat, a3, a4, Octavia

[simonsaunders]

I've done a bit of bangernomics over the years.

Don't buy a diesel. Too complicated. Don't buy a turbo petrol. Too complicated. (Read more to go wrong, expensive things to fix).

Make sure it's got a long MoT. That will ensure all the brakey / bouncy / turny / emmissiony stuff is in good shape for the next 11-12 months.

Make sure it's has a recent cambelt change, if one is required.

Don't let your heart rule your head. Oh, that Alfa looks cheap...

Don't be scared of a little cosmetic damage. Not talking about a crashed car, but a few good scratches knock £100s of the value without harming its usefulness.

Pick a model that is reasonably plentiful at that price. If there is a choice of 8 cars at £1,000, one will be a good'un. If that model is normally £2,000, trust me, the £1,000 one will be a shitter.

Don't travel far. Travel costs and cars at this level are often shit. Don't waste your time and money, or worse still, feel obliged to buy just because you've travelled.

Embrace the unpopular colour.

Avoid anything with a warning light on.

Believe all stereotypes regarding unreliability. Don't believe any stereotypes regarding reliability.

Adding in the sporty / cool line adds a complication because that increases desirability and therefore price.

The Focus ST170 might meet all my criteria and his. BMW Compacts are always good value, but you'd struggle to get the 2.5 at that price.

But the real gem has to be an early MINI. There are loads around at £1,500, which after a haggle will be £1,250. Bide your time and I'm sure one will come up even cheaper. Good build, pretty reliable (don't abuse the gearbox though), comfortable, fun, stylish, etc. The One and the Cooper are basically the same, bar a remap so don't worry about having the lesser spec model.

[manta]

octavia vrs brooo

[9Freedman9]

206 gti? Not the fastest but can be bad for less than 1k and generally are nice looking, half leather and alcantara, air con etc etc. think that's what I'd choose.

[manta]

206 gti? Not the fastest but can be bad for less than 1k and generally are nice looking, half leather and alcantara, air con etc etc. think that's what I'd choose.

Problem is, you'd probably get the shitty gti for less than 1k not the more powerful one.

Also 206s are fucking shit.

[white_vts_boy]

Something with a 1.8T like a golf, bora, Passat, a3, a4, Octavia

Very good engines and lots of potential to upgrade plus lots about for peanuts.

[9Freedman9]

Problem is, you'd probably get the shitty gti for less than 1k not the more powerful one.

Also 206s are fucking shit.

Have seen some 180's for around the 1k mark, but as you say the slower 140's can be had for £600-£700, low mileage and clean so I think for the money there a bargain with the mod cons you get!

[D4MJT]

Clearly what this man needs in his life is a Seat Ibiza Cupra

[0rang3peel]

might be able to get a mk2 golf for that, I doubt it would be the infinitely better 16v though

[chinkostu]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505163511340


Seriously. Its a Y reg so cheaper tax, HDI so economical and plenty of gi, SX trim with the (imo) second best cloth interior and almost all the bells and whistles. Its not a hydractive so only 6 spheres and will be bombproof if looked after and insanely comfortable.

Can be remapped up to around 140hp if its a 110 and has a FMIC.

Plus they're dirt cheap now as theyre pretty undesireable. As far as reliablility goes aslong as it's been looked after it'll keep on going (over 220k on some on FC forum)

Only issue is its far north! But they're seriously worth a look, the 406 is a much prettier car and had a nicer interior but the xantia is a lot cheaper!


Plus static lows yo

[rushy_23]

If it were me Id probably look at either a PH1 172 or a Saxo VTR. Dont think you would get a good 106 Rallye for under a grand so probably best to rule that out.

Dont know much about PH1 172's reliability wise, this factor would steer me towards the VTR. You get a long on "bang" for your buck with them IMO. Not bias or anything...

[Brettles1986]

Has he considered a Suzuki Ignis Sport? I have been looking at them recently and something makes me want one.

[D4MJT]

Has he considered a Suzuki Ignis Sport? I have been looking at them recently and something makes me want one.

You disgust me x

[Brettles1986]

You disgust me x

As you do me also and not because of your choice of car.

#lardarse

[Stissy]

Tall order for a grand that covering all those points but its going to come down to cheap sports cars such as MX5s, MGF and whatever and hot hatches really like rallye/vts/gti/172. Maybe even a very leggy/battered ep3 if you are lucky.
Probably plenty of other stuff you can get for a grand but they might start to get pricey to fix problems or be a bit of a fuel guzzler

I think the rallye/vts/gti/172 options are best. I've never been a fan of jap anyway so an EP3 wouldn't interest me.


106 GTI's for less than £1K are few and far between. I want one now and can't seem to find any decent ones under that price.

I've noticed this too. It seems the GTi and VTS are both slowly creeping up in value.


Few golf gti on ebay at the moment.

Something with a 1.8T like a golf, bora, Passat, a3, a4, Octavia

octavia vrs brooo

I've had a 1.8t. Looking for something a bit different.


I've done a bit of bangernomics over the years.

Don't buy a diesel. Too complicated. Don't buy a turbo petrol. Too complicated. (Read more to go wrong, expensive things to fix).

Make sure it's got a long MoT. That will ensure all the brakey / bouncy / turny / emmissiony stuff is in good shape for the next 11-12 months.

Make sure it's has a recent cambelt change, if one is required.

Don't let your heart rule your head. Oh, that Alfa looks cheap...

Don't be scared of a little cosmetic damage. Not talking about a crashed car, but a few good scratches knock £100s of the value without harming its usefulness.

Pick a model that is reasonably plentiful at that price. If there is a choice of 8 cars at £1,000, one will be a good'un. If that model is normally £2,000, trust me, the £1,000 one will be a shitter.

Don't travel far. Travel costs and cars at this level are often shit. Don't waste your time and money, or worse still, feel obliged to buy just because you've travelled.

Embrace the unpopular colour.

Avoid anything with a warning light on.

Believe all stereotypes regarding unreliability. Don't believe any stereotypes regarding reliability.

Adding in the sporty / cool line adds a complication because that increases desirability and therefore price.

The Focus ST170 might meet all my criteria and his. BMW Compacts are always good value, but you'd struggle to get the 2.5 at that price.

But the real gem has to be an early MINI. There are loads around at £1,500, which after a haggle will be £1,250. Bide your time and I'm sure one will come up even cheaper. Good build, pretty reliable (don't abuse the gearbox though), comfortable, fun, stylish, etc. The One and the Cooper are basically the same, bar a remap so don't worry about having the lesser spec model.

Excellent reply, thanks for that mate.


206 gti? Not the fastest but can be bad for less than 1k and generally are nice looking, half leather and alcantara, air con etc etc. think that's what I'd choose.

I've not really looked at the 206. Something to consider, cheers mate.


Clearly what this man needs in his life is a Seat Ibiza Cupra

For under a grand? Dream on.


might be able to get a mk2 golf for that, I doubt it would be the infinitely better 16v though

Not a bad shout, cheers man.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505163511340


Seriously. Its a Y reg so cheaper tax, HDI so economical and plenty of gi, SX trim with the (imo) second best cloth interior and almost all the bells and whistles. Its not a hydractive so only 6 spheres and will be bombproof if looked after and insanely comfortable.

Can be remapped up to around 140hp if its a 110 and has a FMIC.

Plus they're dirt cheap now as theyre pretty undesireable. As far as reliablility goes aslong as it's been looked after it'll keep on going (over 220k on some on FC forum)

Only issue is its far north! But they're seriously worth a look, the 406 is a much prettier car and had a nicer interior but the xantia is a lot cheaper!


Plus static lows yo

A bit too grandad for me... Doesn't really fulfil the "cool" requirement.


If it were me Id probably look at either a PH1 172 or a Saxo VTR. Dont think you would get a good 106 Rallye for under a grand so probably best to rule that out.

Dont know much about PH1 172's reliability wise, this factor would steer me towards the VTR. You get a long on "bang" for your buck with them IMO. Not bias or anything...

Yep. This seems like to be the way forward.


Has he considered a Suzuki Ignis Sport? I have been looking at them recently and something makes me want one.

I have not... I'm not a fan of jap though, I'd prefer the Xantia...

[MartinObviously]

Volvo V70 2.4T

My mate bought one for a track car costing a grand total of.... £350, just needed discs, pads and 2 ball joints. 160,000 miles on it. It's a 7 seater too! lol

Bought another one as a donor (this is the best one) it's a Y reg, FVSH (up until 2 years ago because it's been sitting about), new rear brakes (to pass MOT), 71,000 on the clock. £380 and not a single dent on it. everything works.


Don't think it's an old mans car, just remind yourself of 90's BTCC ;)

[Brettles1986]

I have not... I'm not a fan of jap though, I'd prefer the Xantia...

I thought this was for a mate?

BUSTED

[holdawayt]

Haha don't want to come across as a skint bint Stissy?

[Stissy]

Long story. Original plan was to get a run-around as a project, now we’re getting two.

Don’t worry though. I’m still pennyfull. Hopefully there will be a project thread coming soon!

[Brettles1986]

I'm looking at getting a run around now.

Keep mondeo as family car and i'll buy a little hatch for back and fore work.

[simonsaunders]

I know of an Octavia vRS for sale. Yellow, history, remapped, £1,250.

PM me if interested.

[Pat_Vts]

Why bother with a 1k car, probably going to cause more problems than it is worth?

Just buy a decent diesel golf and reap the savings through mpg over a period of time if you are saving for a wedding?

[nath89]

VTS. Every time.

[Jizanthapus]

Why bother with a 1k car, probably going to cause more problems than it is worth?

Just buy a decent diesel golf and reap the savings through mpg over a period of time if you are saving for a wedding?

Not really. If you buy a shitter, then yes. But if you do all the usual checks before buying and don't buy something that's had 15 previous owners and done a million miles you can get something half decent.
Obviously it's not going to be the most desirable or the fastest car for around £1k but you can sure pick something up that'll get you from A to B for a year or 2 with minimal work.

[chinkostu]

Grandad?!?!? You can get a V6 one ;)


They're plain, yes.

[Stissy]

VTS. Every time.

The man himself. It’s Nath89 and me who are buying the project cars.

Not really. If you buy a shitter, then yes. But if you do all the usual checks before buying and don't buy something that's had 15 previous owners and done a million miles you can get something half decent.
Obviously it's not going to be the most desirable or the fastest car for around £1k but you can sure pick something up that'll get you from A to B for a year or 2 with minimal work.

You’re coming up with some good points, in all the ongoing treads at the moment.

[D4MJT]

The man himself. It’s Nath89 and me who are buying the project cars.



You’re coming up with some good points, in all the ongoing treads at the moment.

True, but he's still a dick