The hunt is on for a winter hack

[tpwuk]

I'm considering an Alfa 156 also. Great value.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Panda - cheap, a well known quantity, full warranty, excellent economy and saves looking at endless secondhand cars. With 1.2 engine you can flog it and avoid the issues with the 1.3 Multijet.

 

[BlackC55]

Diesel Fiesta is a great choice. Cheap to buy, insure, maintain etc.

 

[npuk]

I saw the below on another site. Basically all you pay for is petrol. Everything else including fully comp insurance is covered in the monthly cost.

[URL]http://www.peugeot.co.uk/showroom/latest-offers/just-add-fuel/?campaignid=PPC_NCS&advertiserid=google&bannerid=cheapest_new_car&***id=CI_WoruyvKQCFVD-2AodR0tKmw[/URL]

Your link doesnt work BTW.

If you go to Peugeot UK | New Cars & Vans | Best Car of the Year 2010 and Best Crossover Car of the Year 2010 by What Car? special offers on the bottom left and then just add fuel.

 

[wemorgan]

A diesel Audi A2 for ~£4k? Economy is 1st rate. Residuals look quite strong even for high mileage ones, so you should be able to sell next Spring for minimal depreciation. Standard 15" wheels are OK in snow, or winter tyres are not too dear. Aluminium, so no issues with rusty body work. I still wouldn't put it in to the winter hack category, but just a thought.

 

[A210AMG]

My Mk1 1.8iS probably did 30mpg, the wifes newer shape (within your budget well the mk2 is) did 40mpg (1.6)

Great fun car

 

[Bellow]

Won't a cheap Diesel come with potential cold starting problems, requiring a first rate electrical system to cope?
Petrol engine much more trustworthy in winter.
Old shape Ford Ka? A hoot to drive.

 

[Sp!ke]

Diesel Fiesta is a great choice. Cheap to buy, insure, maintain etc.

I think this is closest so far.

Whatever I get I will hate spending money on and probably dislike driving so something cheap to tax, cheap to insure and cheap to maintain ticks most of my boxes. It has to be economical too and if it has cheap to replace skinny tyres all the better.

I was also thinking of an old classic mini and very nearly bought one off a mate recently but was put off by dissapointing mpg. I quite enjoyed driving it too which would be an unintended bonus.

 

[Sp!ke]

Old shape Ford Ka? A hoot to drive.

My daughter drives a KA. I think it is quite possibly the nastiest car I've ever driven.

A hoot you say? That really surprises me.

 

[bpsorrel]

I can back that up as I had a 9-5 2.3t that averaged around mid 30s mpg and drove very well, (especially the mid-range punch!!)
Also, in the 2 years I had it, not a day's problem! Much underrated cars IMO.

 

[Sp!ke]

If you go to Peugeot UK | New Cars & Vans | Best Car of the Year 2010 and Best Crossover Car of the Year 2010 by What Car? special offers on the bottom left and then just add fuel.

Ahh OK, I found it now.

The 107 is 40% more expensive than a new Panda (and it is half the car). That Just add Fuel deal is probably great for a young'un with expensive insurance premiums but not nearly such a good deal for someone less impacted by premiums like me.

 

[A210AMG]

How about something like this.... (I will run for cover)

Scott Baillie Cars Mount : MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS A170 CDI **Diesel** Classic 2002

However for cheap motoring a little fiesta / corsa is probably as cheap as its going to get.

Aintree Garage : VAUXHALL CORSA 1.3 CDTI DESIGN 3DR

Just another thought and some more points for the fiesta, dont some of these have heated front windows like the focus, so for winter thats handy

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
With the recent breakdown of my dailly commute i thought about buying a cheap run around and commute car, i was considering A Clio diesel (bout a 05/55 plate) or a Corsa Diesel, though i was favouring the Clio.
Even cheaper option would be a Pug 306 Diesel.

 

[bpsorrel]

I once had a FIAT Bravo 1.2 (2001) as a daily commuter and have to say, I was very impressed with it. Very economic, surprisingly rapid for it's engine size and a ctualy a very comfortable little car. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap, comfortable car for little money (even had twin airbags!)

 

[A140driver]

I was going to suggest an A-class too, but I wasn't sure it would be well received.

 

[A210AMG]

^ I know lots on here not keen, just thought it would keep the merc them.

Brothers wife has a A170 cdi and 55mpg

 

[Sp!ke]

I once had a FIAT Bravo 1.2 (2001)

We had a 1.4 fiat Brava last year - it used more fuel than my SL500 (it returned about 20mpg) ... apparently it was normal for that engine from what I read from other worried owners on the web. The 1.2 may well be much better but I'm rather put off the whole Brava/o experience.

 

[Sp!ke]

How about something like this.... (I will run for cover)

Scott Baillie Cars Mount : MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS A170 CDI **Diesel** Classic 2002

However for cheap motoring a little fiesta / corsa is probably as cheap as its going to get.

Aintree Garage : VAUXHALL CORSA 1.3 CDTI DESIGN 3DR

Just another thought and some more points for the fiesta, dont some of these have heated front windows like the focus, so for winter thats handy

Both of these have depreciation written all over them and neither are particularly cheap.

Regarding the Corsa, why spend £3k on a 6-7 year old hatchback whan a brand new one is only £6k? Its one of the rare examples when buying new makes sense.

 

[Sp!ke]

I'm considering an Alfa 156 also. Great value.

These are really great value (purchase wise) but there's an awful lot to go wrong.

Not sure I'd classify one as a runaround or a hack either as its a big caqr with a lot that can go wrong.

 

[tpwuk]

Cambelts and wishbones - yeah I know. As long as those have been done and oil levels in the T-Sparks is checked and topped up regular, they can go on for ages! I've seen 156's with 200K miles on them.