Just look around your local used car dealers. You will be able to find quite a few oldish trade-ins for around �800-1200 that will be good reliable cars that should keep going for several years with minimal maintenance costs.
I got a 1989 BMW 525i SE Auto a few years ago for �900.
Immaculate condition, and in nearly three years, it has only required parts costing about �160 in total. It is a dream to drive.
The only problem I've had is (probably jealous) people making comments about drug dealers and/or pimps.....