Small reliable car

You’ll need to keep on top of the servicing and use only the right oil spec. I’d maybe even go as far as getting it from a Ford parts department and giving it to the garage to use.

The OP budget of approx 3.5-4k will get you a very good Jap/Koreaan engined super mini/city car as alsready suggested, low millage too, if you are prepared to look at things 5-10 years old.

This seems a bit optimistic these days. I’d say £4k minimum at 10 years old for a good example. Likely closer to £10k at 5 years.

This seems a bit optimistic these days. I’d say £4k minimum at 10 years 

I’d agree in part. When I was looking -the jump from 10 years to 5 was alot smaller than you’d think.

10 year old allure in decent nick with 50k  -£4.5k….. top spec 5year old with all the toys and safety gadgets (lane assist and anti collision) with 18k on the clock was 8k. It just seemed like a no brainer.  Most folks have 5grand as a budget so most decent stuff ends up priced there regardless of age

You can get a decent 10 year old small car for £3k again now.

Just need to have a good look around and include private sellers.

2015 aygo here as said, cheap as chips and only tyres, wipers, oil so far. Zero tax, not noticed its slow it keeps up with city traffic. Best thing its small so easily fits in supermkt bays.

Seem to be going for c5k which is 1k less than we paid 6 years ago.

You’ll need to keep on top of the servicing and use only the right oil spec. I’d maybe even go as far as getting it from a Ford parts department and giving it to the garage to use.

It’ll be looked after. That is how we got the current one to 21 years old.

it only does about 4 miles a day

How am I only the 2nd person to suggest bikes (and driving lessons if that’s a requirement).

How am I only the 2nd person to suggest bikes (and driving lessons if that’s a requirement).

I think Mrs The Spider would struggle freighting her octogenarian parents about on a bike.

This seems a bit optimistic these days. I’d say £4k minimum at 10 years

Maybe.. But you can pick up low mileage ex-granny cars if you go to 12 years old… This is basically a brand new car for 3.5k…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411166355864?sort=relevance&searchId=3f14a603-e444-44bc-b604-4fb2c54609bb&advertising-location=at_cars&make=Nissan&maximum-mileage=40000&model=Micra&postcode=Hd6%204at&price-from=3000&price-to=4000&fromsrahttps://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411166355864?sort=relevance&searchId=3f14a603-e444-44bc-b604-4fb2c54609bb&advertising-location=at_cars&make=Nissan&maximum-mileage=40000&model=Micra&postcode=Hd6%204at&price-from=3000&price-to=4000&fromsra

This is basically a brand new car for 3.5k…

not according to its mot history its not .

We’ve checking MOT histories. Some have the odd blown bulb or an advisory on the tyres. Others have had their suspension smashed to pieces.

Bought a Fiesta yesterday. 1.ol Ecoboost that has had the timing belt done.

Right colour, right spec, a bit newer and therefore more expensive… but Hey-Ho!

Nice little car. Drives well. Feels solid. Cheap to tax and insure.

Very nice,

Cheap insurance until one of the kids passes their test. 🙁

Hyundai I20 – we’ve run one for 10 years with no reliability issues. They even use them in WRC – albeit a bit done up!

In a similar vein, I am potentially looking at a 2015 1.4 (1.3 really) Jazz with 51k miles. For kids to learn in then insure themselves later. Will check insurance costs, but it’s a naturally aspirated car with lowish power. Assuming with the fancy folding rear seats a bike or 2 goes in ok? Any folk on here have one and know of issues that I need to look out for? Do folk fit catalytic convertor guards to these?

Cheap insurance until one of the kids passes their test. ?

It gets cheaper after they pass their test: you’ve done your duty in facilitating them in learning to drive for when they can afford it and you take them off your insurance.

Going to start following this conversation and add a requirement.

Bike transport solutions for these small cars.

We will soon have to go through the “2nd car for child to learn to drive and us use at same time” drama and I reckon “us” will be “me” if I want to go riding anywhere.  I think ideally a boot mounted rack is easiest option?  A lot of these smaller cars seem to not go with boot mounted racks, seen a few places say you can’t on things like an Aygo due to the boot hatch being glass.  So other than folding seats and throwing inside what’s the best compromises of small yet bike friendly.

It gets cheaper after they pass their test: you’ve done your duty in facilitating them in learning to drive for when they can afford it and you take them off your insurance.

Oh how I wish!

Well researching the Jazz specifically gives this for nose weights:

All Honda Jazz 2002-2008 models have a nose weight up to 70kg.

All Honda Jazz 2008-2015 models have a nose weight of 70kg up to 80kg.

All Honda Jazz 2015 onwards models have a nose weight of 70kg up to 95kg.

So a tow bar bike carrier may be 18-20kg or so for a 2 bike carrier, + 2no. 15kg bikes, will be fine on any year Jazz by the looks of it.

According to the small car groups on Facebook. The vag offering is prone to premature rust much quicker than the other offerings in the class …. And they ain’t even been out that long.

Seen a couple recently with rust in the same area – all around the filler cap and rear arch. Not just a little scab but loads of the stuff…

We will soon have to go through the “2nd car for child to learn to drive and us use at same time” drama and I reckon “us” will be “me” if I want to go riding anywhere.  I think ideally a boot mounted rack is easiest option?  A lot of these smaller cars seem to not go with boot mounted racks, seen a few places say you can’t on things like an Aygo due to the boot hatch being glass.  So other than folding seats and throwing inside what’s the best compromises of small yet bike friendly.

i have a 108 with the glass hatch – same car as aygo .

i use a rockbros  sea sucker copy on the roof for 2 bikes.

A lot of these smaller cars seem to not go with boot mounted racks, seen a few places say you can’t on things like an Aygo due to the boot hatch being glass.

That’s something I hadn’t considered, it was a problem with my Puma because the entire top of the hatch was glass, so I went with a roof-mount. It absolutely screwed the fuel consumption – not that it was stellar in the first place, I think it dropped from 33 to 25mpg! 8-(

Well I can confirm I still get 50mpg going up and down deeside. I mean a slight drop from the usual 60 ….. But I’ll live.

I guess it’s more palatable when it’s not trash  to begin with.

PS It’s more expensive after they pass the test for that first year. Jumped £400 after passing, then came back down after a year post passing. Cheap Aygo.