2-3k for a reliable, cheap runaround?

GreeBo

As the title says, friend of mine looking to buy a first car, budget is 2-3k, Im guessing 1-1.1 petrol, but not sure whats the most reliable?
Are we talking micra or polo territory?
For that budget they seem to be early 2000's, any recommendations?

JohnBoy26

GreeBo wrote: »

As the title says, friend of mine looking to buy a first car, budget is 2-3k, Im guessing 1-1.1 petrol, but not sure whats the most reliable?
Are we talking micra or polo territory?
For that budget they seem to be early 2000's, any recommendations?

A yaris would be a good option if your looking for a safe reliable car.

They are expensive to buy mind, but if you are ever reselling you should have no trouble getting a fair chunk of what you paid for it as they are a very popular small car.

Max Power1

You could get a class above that car for the same budget. Like a focus, golf etc.

But if you want to stay in the mini category, cant go wrong with a micra/fiesta/yaris
You would probably get back most of the cost price in a years time.

colm_mcm

&1 on the yaris. Not a very original idea and on the face of it they're expensive, but basically what johnboy said.


Keep in mind if you recommend something and it goes pearshaped, then its your fault

JohnBoy26

Max Power1 wrote: »

You could get a class above that car for the same budget. Like a focus, golf etc.

indeed you could and probably for even less than what a good small car will cost you. However I think the op's friend is looking for a first car though.

166man

Yeah not really any suggestions as to what car other than Micra, Punto or Fiesta.

I would definitely echo what Colm said though, you'd want to be careful recommending cars, if they go off and buy something and get landed with a huge bill you never know how people react and how friendships can fall apart.

Just a side note.

George Dalton

If reliability is the most important factor then a Yaris is the only way to go.

GreeBo

Thanks lads, anything to look out for with a Yaris?
At early 2000's I'm guessing belt and water pump should have been done?
any other obvious things to check for?

JohnBoy26

GreeBo wrote: »

Thanks lads, anything to look out for with a Yaris?
At early 2000's I'm guessing belt and water pump should have been done?
any other obvious things to check for?

There is no timing belt. These have a chain.

yoshiktk

First car after test? If yes, Volvo v70 or similar ;P
Will learn to park and drive in no time

GreeBo

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

There is no timing belt. These have a chain.

excellent, should I still expect the pump to have been replaced though or only if there was a problem with it?

kerten

Water pump is the only common problem(early tear and wear item relatively to rest of the car actually) in this era of yaris.

Diagnosis is easy. if there is metallic noise increasing during revving up engine then you better change it. I didn't change mine for 1.5 year and it didn't fail though