Morris Minor Owners Club

I've come to the decision to buy a second car soon, simply to take the strain of the daily drive off Ector. My budget is ludicrously small, £500 or less, and it must be cheap to run and insure, and last for a good couple of years. I'd prefer something reasonably small, too, preferably 1.5 or under as I don't want a gas-guzzler.
Does anyone have any ideas regarding brands/models (what to go for, what to avoid)?
Also, I need something for when the other half starts learning to drive, as I've flatly refused to allow him behind the wheel of the Traveller! Well, it does take some getting used to . . .
Advice is greatly appreciated.

Metro, Mini...

Mk 2 or 3 Polo.
Peugeot 205
Buy a cared-for example and you will have minimal mechanical problems. Parts are almost as cheap as a Minor (especially the VW) and an accident free car will have no bodywork corrosion (COST!!) at all.
100,000 mile VW's and Peugeots are nothing to worry about.

A fiat Bambina - that way your Morrie will feel like a speed machine

A fiat Bambina

I wonder what that is as its not a model we have over here.

known here as the FIAT 500

I'd go for a Corsa. My son has had his for 6 years with great reliability, and it is still as good as when he got it.

Pete

My budget is ludicrously small, £500 or less, and it must be cheap to run and insure, and last for a good couple of years. I'd prefer something reasonably small, too, preferably 1.5 or under as I don't want a gas-guzzler.

That's funny.... that exactly describes Wilberforce, my morris minor when I got him 2 years ago!

Any small Honda, or other Japanese car.Polo or Golf

Polo gets my vote.

I had an old one given to me and kept it for 5 years without serious problems.
Parts cheap (http://www.gsfcarparts.com/) and easy to work on.
A little thirsty for engine size compared to other vehicles but rust / rot not normally a problem.

Nissan Micra also a very good car.

Paul Humphries

Well, I went with a friend to look today at a Nissan Sunny, 1.4 and reasonable condition, but will need a small patch weld on the driver's side sill and a new tyre (probably a tracking issue as it was worn on one outside edge) - plus, it will need an MOT end of Feb. However, it was going for two hundred quid, so it's a distinct possibility.
I took a knowledgeable friend along, and a torch, and we both had a very good look, tested the brakes and clutch with a short drive, and my friend really poked around the engine and the body.
However, I will have to get a quote or estimate on that welding and need to speak to my mechanic, get a rough idea. So we walked away, saying that we will see what the weld would cost (roughly).
But other than that, it was a decent car.
Will let you know.

Furrtiv wrote:Well, I went with a friend to look today at a Nissan Sunny, 1.4 and reasonable condition, but will need a small patch weld on the driver's side sill and a new tyre (probably a tracking issue as it was worn on one outside edge) - plus, it will need an MOT end of Feb. However, it was going for two hundred quid, so it's a distinct possibility.
I took a knowledgeable friend along, and a torch, and we both had a very good look, tested the brakes and clutch with a short drive, and my friend really poked around the engine and the body.
However, I will have to get a quote or estimate on that welding and need to speak to my mechanic, get a rough idea. So we walked away, saying that we will see what the weld would cost (roughly).
But other than that, it was a decent car.
Will let you know.

I'd say "walk away" too
I find modern cars often end up in scrap yards with mechanical problems rather than rot so if you find one wanting welding (and very short MOT) then there will be plenty out there that are far better propositions.
A rotten Sunny with virtually no valid MOT left will probably end up being scrapped (£50) so judge it's value accordingly.

Paul Humphries.

Okay, definitely food for thought there! There is another car possibly in the offing, though, a Peugot. Once again, I'll have to have a good look.

I personally would steer clear of anything French, and anything needing welding is just scrap. For your budget you will get something worthwhile - don't discount bigger cars though - they are a bigger bargain.

Pete

Vauxhall Chevette! Check the Practical classics article.

If you are after a modern, my Mk3 fiesta has only let me down once in the 4 years or so we've had it. Get a rot free one and you are sorted. Easy and cheap parts too!

The company trying to lure me away from the one I'm currently working for is offering a Toyota corolla. To be honest I've never even looked at one closely. What's so good about it? Anyone know?

(although to be even more honest - just to have another car of any description aslong as its reliable; and be able to put Wilberforce in a garage and be nice to him for once, after he's served me so well these past couple of years is extremely attractive).

Toyota's are generally pretty bullet proof - if they are offering a new one, then you're sorted, but remember the tax implications of company cars.

Pete

Toyota's are generally pretty bullet proof

Ooh good, just what I need! Although this job isn't in manchester anymore, so I should be ok re. gun crime ;)

but remember the tax implications of company cars

What are they then? Is it like private health care that you pay tax on it as if its part of your wages but isn't?

I'm sure if you go on the relevent Inland Revenue site, it will be fully explained - you may not fully understand it though
I'm sure someone will come along to explain it easily, but it is basically a tax on your use of the car, based on purchase price, mileage etc etc.
I even had to pay tax on my Fire Brigade car (classed as modified for tax purposes - Blue lights, siren etc) - worked out at about £500 a year (plus lease costs), but non uniformed members paid considerably more.
In fact a number of them opted for supplying their own vehicle and claiming mileage money.

Pete

Gosh! Well that makes sense (in a "what else do you expect from the inland revenue" kind of way ). I'll have to ask about that at the interview then, along with everything else. They might up my wages to accommodate it if I am aware of it in advance, so thanks for that tip.