Been running my banger for 8 months now.
2000 Honda HRV bought for it 3k but 2k is completely possible. Had 4 new tyres FSH and one owner so was a bit more expensive. Insured via my good lady for 220 fully comp!
Cost so far nil other than MOT and Tax. I fully expect this to not cost me a bean to run as the brakes, bearings and other common wear points are all in VGC.
Hondas are reliable and this one is big enough and useful for transport as it's basically a short estate on stilts. 1.6 lump does a good 35-40 on a run, quite nippy the looks have grown on me as well.
The car before was 25k+ worth of big volvo with all the bits and I keep asking myself what I was thinking – A car is transport nothing more.
Id say look at
Mazda
Honda
Lexus
Toyota
Cheap to run, insure, reliable and apart from the lexus OK on Fuel. Watch out for ex cabs though.