If I had the money that’s probably what I’d go for. They tick all the boxes
Don’t get a 1.2… a neighbour did and it has mostly been in the workshop…
My pal’s had one for years and never had any problems, but there’s always risks the older they get
You can get a yeti a bit cheaper if you go a bit older. This doesn’t look too bad
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+1 for the Agila as a cheap runabout. FoL1 and Mrs FoL1 have one and it’s simple, pretty economical and has a fairly upright driving position. Like a little square Tardis for space too. Downside is it’s slow - not happy above 70 so given that you’re used to Astra level performance it’ll likely disappoint…
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My great grandfather and grandfather had a saying about Vauxhall reliability.
Made an impression on me!
"You Vauxh the way there, and you Vauxh all the way back"
They would have been referring to cars from the 50s and 60s, or perhaps even earlier I guess though🙂
I did have a straight 6 Senator in the nineties and a tuned up 2.0L Vx Caterham racing beast - that was fun!
I always loved 80’s and 90’s Vauxhalls for their general reliability. I had about 7 cavaliers over the course of the years. The 1.8 8v was woefully underpowered but essentially never broke, and you could fix everything with a 13mm socket and a hammer.
I also had the v6 model (with 3.0 cams) which was hilarious in a 1.1 ton car!
Then I had an SRI with the famous redtop cos with engine, felt like it could rev all day and was just the most amazingly strong engine.
Then stupidly moved to a vectra 2.2 and it all went wrong. Haven’t touched a Vauxhall since!
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Avoid anything with a tiny turbo engine and / or a wet timing belt.
We had a Hyundai Kona 1.0 and it was fucking dangerously slow, first gear up modest inclines slow.
I’d certainly avoid Ford and poxhaull’s offerings as well as the French.
A 1.6t Kona is probably pennies now if you don’t mind a few years on it although the Tucson makes more sense. Ignore all the internet waffle about reliability issues, that’s for cars made in America not the ones from Europe.
If you can pay the premium there is a Toyota Yaris on stilts type thing that will probably outlast entropy. Avoid Nissan, they have a thing for belt CVTs and have the reliability of a Renault, because they are one.
Also be aware if you are tall most SUVs have huge roof overhangs and low door tops making entry and egress a struggle for those over a certain height.
I have to fold myself in half to enter my mates Landy evoke
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It’s interesting that I have about 15 cars on fb saved. And nothing is selling
1.6 tdi Skoda Fabia 2011 looks ok at 90,000 and £800
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Seems they have potential issues with erg/injectors so that’s off the list,and advised to stay away from merivas after 2010 and go for an 08/09 version
I hate buying cars.
my general recommendation for reliable, fun, sensible, well put together cheap cars… is the suzuki swift. Whether one exists at this price point I don’t know. The old gen 2 should maybe do?
I helped a friend buy a newish one (2019 spec sport, before they went hybrid). It’s hilarious. 140bhp (often 150 in reality) from a fun and torquey 1.4 turbo combined with only 970kg makes this a hoot to drive and chuck around. Yet in spite of being so light, it can fit four adults spaciously and is packed with toys.
Carplay, auto main beam, radar cruise, lane departure, keyless entry, etc etc.
We picked up a 2019 example with only 14k on the clock for £13,000. It remains one of the best value for money cars ive ever driven, and also one of the most fun. I’d recommend them highly.
The fact the manufacturer also offers a 10 year warranty should tell you something about the reliability factor.
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Can’t say fun has ever been a thing with my cars 
Way things are going,getting a car made in this century would be a result
Hopefully can get something sorted in the next few months.
Just cancelled insurance for the first time,and need to notify dvla that the car has been scrapped.
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seems like a bargain?
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My mate has left Vauxhall though I still know the owner well,and always heard great reviews on the focus
The focus is fairly bombproof with a fucktonne of cheap spares available and fairly easy to fit yourself.
Brother bought a TDi and the turbo went which wrote off the engine, seems to be a thing with the diesels though 
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All the way up in Keighley - but coaches & trains are A Thing; and Cat D - but so what? You’ll kill it before it kills you… 
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Yes will travel,if a car lasts longer than my 3 year phone contract then I’m happy
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Look for something like this, near you?
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The actual sane way forward here would be to talk to someone who actually knows what he’s talking about (so, none of us) due to doing it for a living - e.g. Phil @PapaLazarou - see if he can recommend summat, or (long shot) mebbe even knows of summat for sale.
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Yes soon as I have funds I’ll take a proper look.
Seems to be some real bargains as nothing seems to be selling anywhere atm.
Guessing a mixture of things along with Xmas
One of our best weeks when we used to sell on eBay was 26th of December til 31st. Guessing people had a few quid left after Xmas and where bored shitless watching home alone 3 again and wanting an escape.
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