I've got a budget of a definite maximum of 1000. Although a bit of a 
mechanical novice I started out with a Nova and then an Astra and found 
both quite easy to maintain with a Haynes manual and a bit of patience. 
They were easy and cheap for spares at breakers yards and low insurance 
groups.

All these things are something I'm looking for in my next car. The two 
major problems I had with these cars were bodywork which seemed to 
deteriorate rather quickly and an awful lot of trouble with attempted 
theft which became a real pain.

I then switched to a Daewoo Nexia. This solved both these problems and 
also gave me the luxury of PAS, AC and ABS - all of which I've come to 
really appreciate. Unfortunately this has expired beyond economical 
repair. Again it was a low insurance group but the lack of a Haynes 
manual and easily available second hand parts made it less easy to 
maintain.

So I'm looking for some suggestions on what to look at. I don't need 
anything flashy, just something with a reputation for reliability that's 
not a bugger to maintain and won't need welding every year. Low 
insurance group and economy would be a big bonus. AC and PAS would be a 
dream, but I would guess that's pushing it a bit given my budget.

wrote:


> So I'm looking for some suggestions on what to look at. I don't need 
> anything flashy, just something with a reputation for reliability that's
> not a bugger to maintain and won't need welding every year. Low 
> insurance group and economy would be a big bonus. AC and PAS would be a
> dream, but I would guess that's pushing it a bit given my budget.


Look for something big.

Volvo 850, Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Ford Granada, Vauhall Carlton.

Big cars are cheap, and you get loads of toys for your money.
-- 
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Passat 1.8 Turbo SE -  COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

In message <1gyxlb3.i9qamw8t7jfdN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>, SteveH 
 writes

> wrote:
>
>> So I'm looking for some suggestions on what to look at. I don't need
>> anything flashy, just something with a reputation for reliability that's
>> not a bugger to maintain and won't need welding every year. Low
>> insurance group and economy would be a big bonus. AC and PAS would be a
>> dream, but I would guess that's pushing it a bit given my budget.
>
>Look for something big.
>
>Volvo 850, Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Ford Granada, Vauhall Carlton.
>
>Big cars are cheap, and you get loads of toys for your money.


Agreed. People pay a silly premium for small cars. You get more for your 
money with a big car.

-- 
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website    http://www.britjet.co.uk

In message , Paul Giverin 
 writes

>>Volvo 850, Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Ford Granada, Vauhall Carlton.
>>
>>Big cars are cheap, and you get loads of toys for your money.
>
>Agreed. People pay a silly premium for small cars. You get more for 
>your money with a big car.


Thanks both. Would a Ford Mondeo also fit in this category and fit the 
criteria?

wrote in message
news:4PpDfxKOa$wCFwEy@xtreme.pipex.net...

> In message , Paul Giverin
>  writes
> >>Volvo 850, Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Ford Granada, Vauhall Carlton.
> >>
> >>Big cars are cheap, and you get loads of toys for your money.
> >
> >Agreed. People pay a silly premium for small cars. You get more for
> >your money with a big car.
>
> Thanks both. Would a Ford Mondeo also fit in this category and fit the
> criteria?


Oh yes, there's loads of them about and they are a great car for the money.
Nissan Primera is another one to consider

Mike P

In message <4PpDfxKOa$wCFwEy@xtreme.pipex.net>, carless@nocar.com writes

>In message , Paul Giverin 
> writes
>>>Volvo 850, Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Ford Granada, Vauhall Carlton.
>>>
>>>Big cars are cheap, and you get loads of toys for your money.
>>
>>Agreed. People pay a silly premium for small cars. You get more for 
>>your money with a big car.
>
>Thanks both. Would a Ford Mondeo also fit in this category and fit the 
>criteria?


Are you asking me or Steve?  ;)

I would say yes but I'm on my second Mondeo and the moment and my son 
has one too. I've even relinquished my Focus (now driven by the wife) to 
return to the Mondeo. Its a very comfortable car.

They are quite reliable and bits for them are cheap. You should just be 
able to get a Mk2 for a grand, depending on where you live. The engines 
are trouble free if fed with the correct grade oil. Early Mk2's still 
have the silvertop engines with the hydraulic tappets. Cambelt interval 
is 80k miles or five years. Make sure you can verify its been done 
otherwise you can budget 180 to have it done. Make sure the clutch has 
plenty of life in it as it can be an expensive job (about 300-400).

Go for the 1.8 or the 2.0 engine. The 1.8 TD isn't too bad but not the 
best engine in its class by any means. It is very economical and will be 
fine if you are a bit of a plodder.

They don't tend to rust. They handle well but they can be heavy on front 
tyres. Check that central locking and alarm works the way it should do 
as they sometimes develop a mind of their own and it can be hard to 
track down the cause. Make sure you get the "master" red key with the 
car as it can cost over 100 to get a spare key without one.

I'll let Steve give you his opinions now........

:)


-- 
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website    http://www.britjet.co.uk

Paul Giverin  wrote:


> In message <4PpDfxKOa$wCFwEy@xtreme.pipex.net>, carless@nocar.com writes
> >In message , Paul Giverin 
> > writes
> >>>Volvo 850, Saab 9000, Alfa 164, Ford Granada, Vauhall Carlton.
> >>>
> >>>Big cars are cheap, and you get loads of toys for your money.
> >>
> >>Agreed. People pay a silly premium for small cars. You get more for
> >>your money with a big car.
> >
> >Thanks both. Would a Ford Mondeo also fit in this category and fit the
> >criteria?
> 
> Are you asking me or Steve?  ;)
> 
> I'll let Steve give you his opinions now........
> 
> :)


I wouldn't buy a Mondeo.

Personally I find them uncomfortable and very cheap inside.

Move up a size and buy a big barge as listed above.

A decent 164 2lt can be bought for pennies and will be reliable, Saabs
and Volvos are incredibly comfortable.

-- 
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Passat 1.8 Turbo SE -  COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

In article <1gyz6h6.qg3ipa16b798cN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>, 
steve@italiancar.co.uk says...

> A decent 164 2lt can be bought for pennies and will be reliable, Saabs
> and Volvos are incredibly comfortable.
> 

Yep, there was an Auto Saab 9000 FTP 2.3 (full pressure turbo) for sale 
in Liverpool in Loot last wek.
MOT until November (might have been longer, going by memory), Tax until 
August.
87k miles. Full service history, leather interior with electrically 
adjusted seats with heat, electric mirrors, sunroof, climate control. 
Metallic red paint.

Anyone care to guess how much within £100 of the asking.
I would have snapped it up myself had it been a manual. I just prefer 
driving them.
-- 
Carl Robson
Car PC Build starts again. http://smallr.com/rz
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

The message <rSSwe.13998$zM2.4987@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>
from "Mike P from the North"  contains these words:


> Oh yes, there's loads of them about and they are a great car for the money.
> Nissan Primera is another one to consider


And you can pick up big Audis cheap, too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4558765577

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

Guy King  wrote:


> The message <rSSwe.13998$zM2.4987@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>
> from "Mike P from the North"  contains these words:
> 
> > Oh yes, there's loads of them about and they are a great car for the money.
> > Nissan Primera is another one to consider
> 
> And you can pick up big Audis cheap, too.
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4558765577


Far too many miles and not enough power for my liking.

But, yes, in general, I'd agree.
-- 
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Passat 1.8 Turbo SE -  COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

The message <1gyzh2t.uzyc0y10vnw9uN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>
from steve@italiancar.co.uk (SteveH) contains these words:


> > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4558765577

> Far too many miles and not enough power for my liking.


whaddyer mean "Too many miles"? It's done less than a quarter of a
million. Hardly run in yet.

-- 
Skipweasel.
Ivor Cutler - "Never knowingly understood."

In article , 
guy.king@zetnet.co.uk says...

> The message <1gyzh2t.uzyc0y10vnw9uN%steve@italiancar.co.uk>
> from steve@italiancar.co.uk (SteveH) contains these words:
> 
> > > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9835&item=4558765577
> 
> > Far too many miles and not enough power for my liking.
> 
> whaddyer mean "Too many miles"? It's done less than a quarter of a
> million. Hardly run in yet.
> 
> 

I always think they are a big ugly and boring. But if you want something 
big, cheap, do starship mileage, hold loads and not be a 
Saab/Volvo/Carlton, It'll do for me Flower.
-- 
Carl Robson
Car PC Build starts again. http://smallr.com/rz
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com