Cheap run-around - Suggestions?

[Austin]

Due to moving house I am now in need of a cheap run around to get me to & from work as the distance won't warm the engine on the Z. The road to work is too hilly and is a very fast road so I don't want to cycle it.

Any random suggestions of something to consider, ideally sub £5k

In the melting pot so far are:
Mini Cooper S (54 plate)
Smart Roadster
Golf Mk1
Volvo 240 Estate http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volvo/other-models/volvo-200-series-240-se-93-1993/5733630?v=c

Trying to avoid something to mundane

 

[flimper]

My daily driver is a 54 plate Mini Cooper, I'm very happy with it, cruise control a must have

 

[jabber]

Cheap mx5 can still drop the roof on journey and fun to throw about

 

[Ewazix]

I'm on my 3rd Mini (2004 Cooper, '11 Cooper S -Torbo, new '14 Cooper) and are well recommended, except the S for your purposes which won't like short journeys and develops some very common and expensive engine issues.

......... and avoid diesel of course!

 

[bmwaddict]

325ti compact? 190bhp and rwd, bmw build quality, and you can get a high spec mtec one for well under 5k.

 

[PerryGunn]

If it's so close that the engine on your Z won't warm up it sounds like it's a fairly short run so why not use something cheap & cheerful like a Honda c90 scooter - cheap to run, insure, huge mpg and virtually no issues with traffic queues or parking

 

[Zeddicus]

+1 on the Golf Mk1, especially the cabriolet!
I dunno if the a Mini Cooper S is reliable enough to cope with small commuting, my neighbour has one and seems it went for repairs a few times!

Had to find me a replacement car for my Smart Fortwo (just fancied a change ..and some comfort) and went for a Volvo C30, 1.8 petrol/ethanol engine. You should find one below £5000 easy, unless you really prefer a heavy vintage estate

 

[Austin]

If it's so close that the engine on your Z won't warm up it sounds like it's a fairly short run so why not use something cheap & cheerful like a Honda c90 scooter - cheap to run, insure, huge mpg and virtually no issues with traffic queues or parking

Forgot to mention I am a fair weather queen, so don't fancy a scooter in the rain :?

 

[Austin]

+1 on the Golf Mk1, especially the cabriolet!
I dunno if the a Mini Cooper S is reliable enough to cope with small commuting, my neighbour has one and seems it went for repairs a few times!

Had to find me a replacement car for my Smart Fortwo (just fancied a change ..and some comfort) and went for a Volvo C30, 1.8 petrol/ethanol engine. You should find one below £5000 easy, unless you really prefer a heavy vintage estate

That's a couple of warnings on the Cooper S for short journeys!

The Vintage estate is tempting me as I just want something different. How do you find the C30?

 

[maxman]

Seat Leon 1.8 cupra r.
There is one on A/T now for 3k

 

[Worcester_spoon]

Fiat Panda 100hp - Same running gear as a 500, nippy, revvy Italian engine and cheap as chips. Doesn't look too bad either, if like me you're a fan of 1980s/90s warm hatches

 

[Worcester_spoon]

That 240 looks fun though - saw one recently with 17" steels on it and it looked proper old skool cool. I see the attraction

 

[Zeddicus]

That's a couple of warnings on the Cooper S for short journeys!

The Vintage estate is tempting me as I just want something different. How do you find the C30?

It seems the Mini Cooper (not S) has a better reputation.
I was either looking for a Mini Clubman non-S (previous gen) or the Volvo C30. I like both designs.
Ended up buying the Volvo cause it was easier to find in my area.

It is a good car, well made and solid. I find the seats really comfortable and the handling quite good.
It seems to me to be above the german makers in terms of comfort and noise, which is perfect after a hard day work.
On the drawbacks, I find the car a bit too long for being a real "city car" and also the access to seats in the rear is the worse I have ever had. The 1.8 petrol engine is a bit weak with torque, although very quiet and still capable. But I guess the 2.0 litre engine is a better choice.

 

[85genius]

Something completely different, cheap as chips fast and really nice to drive

I used to have one and never owned another car as long as I owned that for

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-X-Type-3-0-V6-Sport-Saloon-4d-2967cc-/262414113761?hash=item3d19199be1:g:saUAAOSwY3RXJU7m

 

[bluespit]

I've had a 'tip car' in the fleet for years, old, cheap, not too worried about dings economical and reliable.

best buys have been VW Polo and Merc A class. The A class was particularly impressive, a bit left field but a 'wise' buy.

 

[jan_tekin]

Smart fortwo, We brought one for Monika but I have just as much fun thrashing it around the lanes and 90% of the time your not breaking the law :lol: and it still get 50mpg and only costs £25 to fill up