Thetownend.com

I'm after a new motor as a second car (run around) but can't make my mind up as to what I want.

Quite restricted on budget, looking to spend no more than £1,500. Want something reliable but fun that has a bit of go if you give it a load of right foot. Not really bothered about mileage as long as it's not stupidly high.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201130406058772/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/500/page/1/postcode/sn105lg/quicksearch/true/radius/40?logcode=p

Comes to absolutely nothing

Mk4 astras are dirt cheap, low insurance and the 1.8 has plenty of power and not too bad on fuel economy if you don't rag it around. Great on b roads too.

I'm selling my car in the next few weeks (Volvo C70 T5), it has a few minor issues and although not being massively chuckable or communicative, it's got enough power when the turbo comes on boost to put a smile on your face. Cheap to insure to.

petrol or diesel? saloon or hatch?

Petrol. Plan on doing the servicing myself and that's simpler with a petrol engine IMO.

Not bothered about body type, quite fancy a little hatchback but anything will do really.

Get a 106 quiksilver, had one for my first car and beats most things off the line grippy as fuck, only a 1.4 but weights about 10g.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201130405735228/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/1000/price-to/2000/make/audi/postcode/sn15hx/page/1/radius/10?logcode=p

If you get an Astra don't get the one with the engine type Z16XE or Z18XE the ECU's are mounted near to the engine and has a tendency to make the ECU fail due to the heat. I speak form experience.

Also models 98 - 04 some have had EGR valve problems and people have ended up buying an EGR blanking plate and getting vauxhall to delete from the ECU.

I know all about EGR problems from my Vectra. I'll be trying to avoid any car with an EGR if I can.

Been looking at a few 206 GTi's. Always wanted one when I was 18 but could never afford the insurance then.

i don't know how much they are, but just when you mentioned the 206 GTi it reminded me about how jealous i was of my mates 106 Ralleye some 8 or 9 years ago. That positively flew and i'd still have one today if i could get rid of my current motor.

i always wanted an old 205 1.9 gti

Great little run arounds the 206 GTI's.  Don't buy in Swindon as everything is over priced here.

Look around Bristol or Newport or  go to Car auction in Witney they do a lot of ex Cop cars but all have Service historys.  Saw a BMW 100 go few weeks back for £1700 there.

http://www.woma.co.uk/

You can have look on this website to see what's going being sold in forthcoming auctions

Damn right, I remember going in one years ago and falling in love. A Fiesta RS1800 or even an RS Turbo would be a laugh, although doubtless ragged to within an inch of death.

I doubt you'd pick up a decent Clio Williams at that, but as a bit of a left field choice, the rocket fuelled Maestro Turbo. Those things were like lightning.

Alfa 156, dirt cheap and good fun just make sure the cam belt is seen to every 30k

I'll probably be buying privately anyway.

Does anyone fancy a Volvo C70 T5 with 110k, because I've got to shift her? It's black with cream leather, all the extras that matter and 4 near new P-Zeros that cost about £500 a few months back.

I'd advise anyone to stay well clear of an Alfa.  Had a 147 and it was a lovely drive but i reckon i had it in the garage every 3 or 4 months, shocking bit of engineering.

What about a Ford focus? Plenty of 1.6s and 1.8s available

Subaru forester - four wheel drive, superb fun on and off road, loads of space in the back for bike gear, camping, booze, or sex and goes like shit off a shovel with the turbo model.

Mines now 200k on the clock and has never let me down.

Oh yeah, cheap insurance as well...

So one poor Alfa there.  To balance it out I've had a 145 which gave me no problem at all, although it was a bit boring in truth.  I've got a 147, which the Mrs now drives which has been an amazing buy, no problems whatsoever and a brilliant drive.  And I've just got a Guilietta which looks ace, drives ace and so far so good on the reliability stakes.

Alfa's are on the whole great value for what you get.

Between me and my Dad the 306 that I now own has done 150k and has needed little more than a new exhaust... Which was only last month. Electric windows go every now and then, but I think you could get an XSi for £600.

I picked up a 98 FTO a couple of years ago for just under a grand.  I needed a shit box to last for 6 months and wanted something a bit silly so opted for the FTO.   

50k on the clock un-modified it's still running like a dream. 

Hmmm, you saying the Dazzza, I saw this today:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mitsubishi-FTO-AUTO-TIPTRONIC-1050-/290487640803?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43a269a2e3#ht_966wt_1139

Not me.

Decent cars, just got to look out for monkeys that have been screweing around with them.  Just check the insurance first.

Alfa's generally don't have a good reputation for reliability but I've had my 156 for 11 years and done 145K with no real problems, just the wear and tear you expect from a car of that age

I have a 16 year old Saab Turbo convertable.....P Reg went through the MOT with no faults found yesterday :D

Decided to keep it and in four years will be classed as a classic,a fast reliable car but very juicy.

Getting a decent car is just pot luck,all have there pro's cons...if i was buying now i would go for a Punto,small,economical but speedy and plenty of boot room for a small car.

Exactly, 'reputation' is the key word here.  A reputation from years ago.