Old shape Fiat Panda (The 1980's one Giugiaro styled using only a ruler). A few years back you could have picked one up for the price of 20 Bensons, but prices are on the rise now. £1500 will get you a very tidy one (so long as you don't buy a 4x4, which wouldn't be my choice for tarmac, anyway).
They aren't quick but if your morning commute doesn't include a stint on the motorway the 1000 is perfectly adequate to keep up with the traffic (avoid the 750 and earlier 900's, progress is a bit glacial). You can get four adults in so long as they're mates and 3 kids in the back is do-able although there's only a lap belt in the centre.
Of course, being elderly now and Italian you can expect a bit of "character" but if you buy a later, fuel injected, one they generally start on the button and don't give too much trouble. The carburettored ones are more fun, set up right they will rev like a motorbike
. Whatever, they are all huge fun to drive - I always got out with a smile on my face.
When inevitably it does need a little TLC parts are cheap and readily available for the most part - body panels are harder to get hold of now (in the UK at least) but mechanically there's no real supply issues. Did I mention cheap? I bought a headlamp bulb for £2.50 and fitted it myself by opening the bonnet, pulling the connector off the old bulb and opening one spring clip. Try that in an SLK!
If you can find a twin sunroof model, it's practically a convertible on a sunny day
- but watch out for rusty roof frames - a packet to fix..
Cheers,
Gaz
