Decent car

Squirrel

My sister is looking for a car, not for another couple of months when she will definitely have the money. Anyway, she needs it for work so she doesn't have to borrow the family car constantly.

She'll be 22 when she gets it, full licence and no crashes for 4 years, named driver for 5 years. She's looking for a car for about 5K including insurance and wants some ideas.

There's some criteria though:
1) She wants it to look alright, she's already turned down the Almera
2) Reliability is important, I can do servicing but not major work
3) It needs to be big enough to carry sports equipment, part of her job

Anyone ideas, oh and please don't try and offer your car if you have one for sale as it could be a year before she gets to buying so would only waste your time.

Cheers

Shane

bazz26

I would recommend something like a Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra or Opel Corsa. To keep her insurance to a minimum then one of these with something like a 1.0 engine.

The Micra is great little car and has power steering as standard. The 1.0 16 valve is very durable and nippy enough while it gives good mpg. Something like this:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=152220

The Corsa is a popular round around and is well built. Only thing is try and find one with power steering as it makes parking alot easier. Something like this: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=240903

Also the Fiesta which would be my choice. The one to go for is the 1.25 as that engine was designed by Yamaha and is the best by far in any of the superminis. Avoid the 1.3 8 valve as it is an old dog. The Fiesta is a great little car and nice to drive. Something like this one: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=287328

Squirrel

bazz26 wrote:

I would recommend something like a Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra or Opel Corsa. To keep her insurance to a minimum then one of these with something like a 1.0 engine.

The Micra is great little car and has power steering as standard. The 1.0 16 valve is very durable and nippy enough while it gives good mpg. Something like this:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=152220

The Corsa is a popular round around and is well built. Only thing is try and find one with power steering as it makes parking alot easier. Something like this: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=240903

Also the Fiesta which would be my choice. The one to go for is the 1.25 as that engine was designed by Yamaha and is the best by far in any of the superminis. Avoid the 1.3 8 valve as it is an old dog. The Fiesta is a great little car and nice to drive. Something like this one: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=287328

She doesn't really want something like that as javelins wouldn't fit in one, I suggested them, but she wants something bigger. I suggested an Escort estate, but it seems to fail on the looks anyway

How about a Mazda 323F, what's the rear-seat folding like on these anyone know?

bazz26

Ok, when you said sports stuff I was thinking of gym bags, etc.

The Mazda 323F is very good car and they still look well today imo.

Here are a few nice examples:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=287328
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=292313&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Mazda%20323%2C%20Year%3A%201996%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=14012813&CFTOKEN=14928242

The only thing is that they are 1.5 which may drive up the cost of her insurance.