I've reached my limit with pot holes and door marks. The time has come to downgrade to something rubbish when the coupé insurance is up.

The criteria:
Around 500 quid
Must be cheap to own/run but still give reasonable reliability
It must have some character, but not so much I mind it getting pranged
Needs to be a reasonable size

So what you got? All suggestions welcome

In that price range, anything with 12 months MOT and some tax.

Thanks, but any specific recommendations? I don't want a car that turns out to be a high insurance group, for example.

Fiesta 1.25 any flavour... very reliable. check for rust on rear arches.

Or punto 1.2 must be 16v engine.

Getting a bit long in the tooth now, but i've never found a finer bargain banger than the MK3 Cavalier. Reliable, huge load space and who cares if it gets pranged. I've owned 5 of them. 4 are still running with their new owners.

1.4 Puma, or an older Citroen (Xsara, Xantia maybe, not so much character but take the miles well).

Some good calls there everyone, thank you.

Unfortunately the Punto is out, I can't get my feet on the pedals. I also think I'd go with fiesta over the puma as I could have 5 doors.

I may look into French stuff. I've a bit of a liking for torsion bar suspension

Err.. how about my civic?

No thanks. Too far and I hate changing those rear bushes

fiat chicken chaser or fiat seicento had a chicken for years ... loved it ..... thinking of getting another if i have to travel to work

Alfa 164 TS (2 litre) - reliable as hell, good size, lots of character and handles like a hot hatch. Dunno how many there are still around but get the simplest one possible. Jamie Porter used to use these as courtesy cars to give you some idea of how robust and cheap to run they are.

Alfas really are the bargain of the century.
You could haggle down from £500 for this 147!
eBay

And it isn't as if you'd be scared of the mechanics.

Damn, I just followed that link and ended up looking at a 3.0 V6 166 for £795... If only I had infinitely more time, money and a bigger drive (and a partner who was even more indulgent of my enthusiasm for cars...)

Jim, just go for it; you KNOW you want to. A V6 166? What? For less than £800? Must be worth that in scrap.... Leather? Worth a few more notes.

Lovely looking cars. May be just the ticket. Have you owned one; any comments on ownership?

I have a 156 which is the same mechanically.

I think they got their act together for the fleet buyers so it doesn't throw up any nasty surprises.

Engine - a 20v NA with one less cylinder.
Handling - Less nose heavy / better balance, very grippy.
Economy - 550 miles on an £80 tank on a long run.
Tax - £265 a year.
Servicing - Cambelt every 36k (easy DIY job)
Issues - ARB Drop Links, Crank Sensor, Thermostat, needed to regrease the heater fan motor. Need to Check the oil every week. Usual handbrake at MOT time cleanup/freeup needed.
Comfort - Great for long runs. Maybe a bit too quiet and comfortable for an Alfa.
Audio - see if you can get one with Bose in it Standard stereo is a bit below par.

How about an older Audi A3?

Seen a few for £600 - £900. Character, and well built.

1.6 petrol is probably ok on fuel. You could also get the 1.8T (150bhp) which probably does 35+mpg.

MK 1 Seat Leon TDi a possble too.

Loads of Mk IV Golf 1.6 petrols. Well built, nice but short on character though. Great interior.

T

I recommend a Punto, I've had 2 (mk2 + mk2b) both around your budget.

excellent cars, quite slow (1.2 8v) but epically reliable, and 50mpg economical.

Also, very good at chavving up, if you're that way inclined [cue teenage finger snaps etc].

I think the VAG stuff isn't for me, I can imagine it hard to find a car where someone hasn't taken advantage of the reliability.

Matt, 50 mpg from your Punto? My partner has one (1.2 8 valve mk2b), and it is good on fuel, but 50? High 40s on a long run is as good as it gets for us. Funily enough I find it quite nippy also. Definitely not a fast car though. Unfortunately I just can't get comfortable driving with the small pedals otherwise I would've just bought her a new car.

Don't get me wrong. I am a Fiat fan man and boy. I've had a MK1 Punto 1.2 (75) a Mk 1 Bravo 1.6 (100) and two Coupes. Glutton for punishment?? not really, none of them ever broke down.

VAG are not as reliable as people think, but they are still very good cars, and easy to work on too. Many will have been well looked after, and high milers will probably mostly be motorway . Out Mk 2 Leon TDi (2 litre) has been amazing, and we've done 102,000 miles with no major issues. Engine is still like new.

I just thought if you were after a bigger car with a bit of style and speed, then an older Audi would fit the bill as they are built out of rock.

I'll get my thinking cap back on.

If I was to get a cheap car now (for commuting) I'd get something with the VAG 1.9 TDi (130bhp. That engine is EPIC and is in about a dozen different models of car, and is easy to re-map to 160+ bhp and is good on fuel 55mpg (in the Fabia vRS).

Pity they tend to command higher prices though. I bet you could find something for £1,000 - £1,500.

Mk 4 Astra. I loved mine.

Get a diesel one though for economy. The 1.7 or 2.0 litre turbos are not bad.

The Astra Coupe was a bit of a looker... kind of.

OR, the original Focus. Great handling... pretty reliable. The TDCi engine was a class winner too.

Pug 306 HDi....

Hyundai Coupe....

Odly I followed the same link and then saw a 156TD. Now if only I could find someone interested in taking on my fuel gulping 166