The cars to BUY and AVOID if you're looking for something cheap to run! 15% OFF HPI Checks Here : vehiclescore.co.uk/?ref=SCCYT15 Use Code : SCCYT15 --- Follow us on INSTAGRAM ► / scottishcarclan Facebook instead? ► / scottishcarclan
Not exactly mega economical but I recently bought a 2000 Merc C200, very very reliable engine and not bad on fuel, 38mpg max I've seen. But it's a 44k mile car from new, absolutely immaculate, insane service history, it's had a gearbox service and everything! £1,500 only 50 miles away. I've done thousands of miles in it and it's been amazing. For not even close to £2K, it really is amazing what you can get!
The best cars for financially-educated people are the top Japanese cars (leaders of reliability and low TCO = Total Cost of Ownership), few years old (the first owner is taking most of the depreciation hit), very well maintained and technically checked, for a lower than market price.
My old citroen xsara Picasso 1.6 diesel still does 60 mpg.. Not bad for a car that cost £100...eight years ago. Now with 230 thousand miles on clock... Still going strong .
Punto was probably the best value car on that £2.5k list and you just dismissed it for being Italian. It's the best looking and quite fuel efficient (40-50mpg), and the FIRE engines are very reliable and designed not to lunch themselves if the cambelt fails.
The VW UP is an ideal vehicle for countryside living as it is superb on small country lanes and gives well over 30 miles per gallon. Surprisingly roomy inside and is quite nippy.