You can't go wrong with a Ford Ka. Cheap to run. Fun to drive. Get a 2002 or newer to get the Duratec engine, economical and lower cost road tax. The entry level model is very basic (but less to go wrong). A lot of people find the seats very uncomfortable but then usually they are only used for short journeys. You might have guessed, I have one and love it. Hope that helps.
the duratec engine is basically the same as the older one but has engine management incorporated, common faults with these cars are broken coil springs, wishbone bushes wearing, usual ford problem anyway and front top strut mountings. other than that that i havent seen any other major issues with them.