Hi all.

My daily Alfa is a bit sick and poorly after being used as a boat during the recent floods. Although with some new glowplugs it's mechanically ok electrics are starting to have a mind of their own and I think its time to get a replacement.

I'm after something cheap and cheerful to get me back on the road, not something I'm looking to keep for years but needs to be something I can live with.

Only real things I need are either a 3 door hatchback or estate as we've got mutts, be able to fit a tow bar or get bikes in/on it and ideally something thats an enjoyable drive with manual box. Would like Italian but not essential.

Budget, upto £1.5k

The list so far is below, if anyone could recommend other to look into or specifics to look out for on the cars below it would be very appreciated.

Alfa 147 2.0 t.spark or 1.9jtd
Fiat Stilo 2.4 Abarth
Fiat Punto HGT

Cheers,

James

VW Golf..... loads on Autotrader within your budget, from the 2.8 V6 down to humble TDis. There are even a few estates.

Generally reliable and bulletproof. For this money the mileage will be high, but that shouldn't be an issue with a good service history.

156 SW?

Cheers Tim/WMT

Have looked at Golfs though you seem to be getting much older/higher milage cars for your money. Though, as you say likely much more reliable if accompanied with suitable history.

The car it's replacing is a 2.4jtd 156 SW, for that money it would either be a rough budget spec diesel with high miles or a t.s which I don't really fancy after the torque of the 2.4. Also, it's an excuse for a change.

Still looking...

Considered the Skoda diesels? Octavia estate, perhaps?

Maybe a bit too different, but I always liked these

Coupe

Good shout on the Skoda estates Neil, I'll look into the Octavias.

I did recommend friend to look at Fabia estates. Unfortunately she then went out and bought the 1st cheap one she saw which had blatantly been sat in deep water for part of it's life!

As much as an Audi Coupe would be fun I think 1 ageing coupe on the driveway is enough for anyone!*


* though there are a few on FCCUK that might disagree.

That Octavia looks good value for money, I'd have the Merc just for that blue interior and being able to store children in a crumple zone...

Nice cars the Punto HGTs, although the fuel consumption isn't so good.

My old man's got one, SORN at the mo. PM me if you want to know more about it.

Cheers Roly, need to see what I can do with the 156 this week - might hear from me if I make any progress!

Stilo JTD?

Don't Mk2 Puntos have floorpan rust issues now?

Going to look at both JTDs and 2.4s if I can find one with a proper gearbox.

Do quite like the idea of the 20v lump in a hatchback, though sensible head is saying get a diesel.

Thanks for the heads up on the rust issue - I'll make sure I have a poke around if I look at any.

Cant help but look out for a nice 147 - 3 door, 2.0l t.spark or jtd.

I borrowed a 147 Ti from Autolusso in JTD form. It was knackerd and tatty, but you could tell there was a nice car under it all. Well worth a punt!

Sorry to hear you were knackered and tatty, how was the 147?