Cheap Runaround?

[THEHULKSTER]

What is the best small,economical car that can usually be picked up for under �1000?

[depressedmgl]

Depends how old you are, large cars usually offer much better value for money and less hassle but if you are young then insuring them makes it non viable.  Small cars, Corsa, Fiesta etc command a premium price because these are the only cars youngsters can afford to insure.  You can pick up really nice large family cars - mondeo size which haven't been abused for less than the price of the aforementioned small cars.  Worth thinking ahout. 

[lethologica]

Like depressed mgl said, a larger car is worth considering.

Last night my boyfriend bought a K reg renault 19 for �350 as a cheap runaround whilst he's trying to set up his own business.  At 19 and having previously been insured on a 2000/X Golf TDI (group 10) under his dads policy, going down to a group 4, his insurance company have added me, and reduced the premium significantly.

But to be honest, if you look after a car, it should last - obviously rust is a bit of a killer, but as long as it's been serviced regularly, the cambelt's been changed when it's supposed to have been (as a rule, every 70k but this can vary between make and model) - virtually anything should last.