If you have a cheap reliable car what is it?

[LoveKingGary]

We are in need of a second car and looking for a fairly cheap runaround. We do have 3 children so it can't be miniscule but our main car is quite big so happy for a much smaller one.

Looking for something economical to run. What do you drive and is it economical?

I'd been thinking something about 2017 or newer but don't have a fixed idea. Budget around £10k? Not sure. Less if possible..!

Ours was, admittedly, an entry level one. V basic. And don't get me wrong, I never had any problems with it. But it certainly wasn't "nippy" and I had to concentrate to keep the speed up if I was on the motorway. For what I used it for - mostly driving kids around, doing chores, shopping etc, it was perfect and I really really loved how cheap it was to run, easy to park etc.

I upgraded as I wanted something a bit sportier and was spending more time on the motorway etc.

My DP has a Dacia Duster. He's really happy with it. Decent sized boot for prams etc.

I want the Sandero but can't justify buying one when I won't get much for my 19 year old car if I tried to sell it.

Another vote for Ford Fiesta. Had mine 2 years and love it

Honda Civic
The space inside is amazing the boot is massive. Good on fuel and a bill let proof engine

and buying a more solid brand like VW

VW are average at best these days. Toyota if you can stretch to it or failing that a Kia or Hyundai

DH works with cars, knows his stuff. Any VW especially the golfs

Astra K fits the bill and you can find plenty within your budget. Very reliable family sized car.

Go for a 1.6 engine. 2017 is the one I have and it is speedy as well as roomy.

You’ve not driven the standard 500 have you? they are positively sports car performance and handling in comparison
they are small 3cyl cars so never going to set the world alight, as you say they do their job very well. Around town, dual carriageways absolutely adequate.
But it’s obviously a bit limited, and whilst they happily sit at 80/85 on a motorway you are going to be over taken by a Range Rover.

We basically had one almost identical to this one: www.motors.co.uk/car-61769148/?i=2&m=sp

Not sure what "the standard 500" is but sounds like it's a good thing I don't know as I wouldn't like it!

I have a friend who laughs at me because I rave so much about the Citigo... even though I got rid of it! But it was a really great car and totally did what I needed it to do, at a great price, for a long time. Before we sold it we even looked into options for keeping it for use by family to drive on visits (we have a lot of people coming and going). Unfortunately, we couldn't find a way to make that work for insurance for my parents and DH's mum refuses to drive here so it didn't make sense.

Rather depends on the mileage you do. If all your journeys will be local then it might even be worth looking at a second hand Nissan Leaf. The range may only be around 60 miles but servicing will be much cheaper, fuel (especially if you get an EV tariff and charge at home during cheap rate times) MUCH cheaper - we pay 7.5p per kWh, tax is £0.

If you do decide to go electric, but do more miles, it's also worth looking at the lease costs of a new EV. It can come out at less than you would spend on fuel, rad tax etc on a petrol or diesel car....

Either a petrol VW Golf Hatch of estate or a Ford CMax zetec 1.6 has a bitter boot that the golf if you require a large luggage area.

I've got a mini, dead reliable despite being 20 years old! It was £1k secondhand a few years ago and apart from a few hundred to get it through its last mot, it's so cheap to run.
The best thing is it still looks good for its age, I guess they're a bit timeless looking but people are always shocked when I say how old it is.

I love the look of these and very tempted.

Based in a city but wonder how it would fair on occasional motorway journeys. Have you been on the motorway in yours?

Dacia Sanderro Stepway. Reliable, 2017 plate should come in under budget, really cheap to run as only has 0.9 litre engine plus turbos (so drives like a bigger engine). Tax is cheap and it’s much more fuel efficient than DHs Corsa.

The vws hold their money for a reason they will hold it more when you sell it as well

This is a good point OP, do you see yourself driving it until it dies, or selling on someday? If you don't intend to sell on, then better to go for something that doesn't hold its value (like a ford) as you'll pay less for it.