[MK Chris]

If you were to purchase a used car with a budget of £5-6,000 what would you go for? I'm possibly going to be looking at buying soon and am interested in people's opinions - I haven't driven for over a year and then it was an M reg Metro - my budget has gone up and I'm confused at what to look at, especially given my inexperience at buying cars and knowing about reliability of certain makes and models. I'm 22 (or will be fairly soon), I don't want to be paying sh*tloads for insurance.

Are there any cars people are driving at the moment (I realise some people on here are barely out of nappies, let alone behind the wheel) that they would or would not recommend?

I have been thinking about:

Peugeot (possibly 206)
Vauxhall Astra or Corsa (learned in a Corsa and liked it but I'm worried that it's a bit of a woman's car)
er...

Ta very much (ages since I used a smiley I thought I'd make a change.)

[Mafro]

206's are very nice cars, my mates got one, theres not much room in the back though. Corsa's are good, the old Corsa B was more of a womens car and the Corsa C sxi is a good 2nd hand buy. Citroen Saxo's are not bad. Honda's are arguably the most reliable cars you can buy. You can get a decent N reg EG model for around 2-3 grand and there is also the later EK model but im not sure what the insurance would be like, I think the smallest engine size they come in is 1.4.

I wouldn't recommend any Suziki's or Daewoo's, they are womans cars. Ford Ka's are debaltable though.

[Eddie]

We've got a Corsa and a Peugeot 206. The Corsa is much better.

[Sidders]

Don't get a Corsa, I've heard many bad things about them.

I personally have a Renault Clio, and don't think I'll ever have a different model.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

corsa or a saxo.

if you are a woman or a pillock.

[Mafro]

Or a lord.

[Sidders]

Ka's are horrible.

[Quincy]

get a vehicle powered by your own sense of happiness.

if i had that kind of money, i would get a nice golf or one of them ones that are golfs but with the boot, like a saloon version. theyre the same as a golf basically but much cheaper insurance. just as easy for parts and service as a gay saxo or fiesta or 106/206 etc..

[MK Chris]

Ta - think I'm going for a 206 - they're good value and they're not being renewed any time soon. Seen some 02 models for £4-5,000 so hopefully I can pay the insurance in one whack as well.

I haven't driven in over a year, I hope I'm not crap...

Sidders, Clios are girly cars as well.

[Sidders]

Sidders, Clios are girly cars as well.

Tell that to Moyles. No more so than 206s anyway.

[Eddie]

I'm not ptoud of my Corsa but I'll tell you one thing. I've had it for 8 years now and it was second hand when I brought it and it has had next to nothing wrong with it. They're very reliable cars - as are all Vauxhalls.

[Sidders]

I won't deny that, I just don't like the interior on Corsas.

[MK Chris]

The missus has a Corsa so I don't think I'll get one. She hasn't had a problem with it, I'd just like something different.

[Betti911]

I have a ford ka. Bought it new last yr and it seems to be working okay (touch wood). My boyfriend is really mean about it tho Personally I'm not bother what kind of car I drive as long as its reliable.

[MK Chris]

I wouldn't have one cos they're ugly. I always took the piss out of a mate who had one so I certainly can't get one anyway.

[Betti911]

A cars a car tho. As long as its reliable and gets you about I don't care what mine looks like.

[MK Chris]

Yeah see I want a nice looking and fairly nippy car. Not overly quick just nippy.

My mum saw a Streetka in the paper yesterday and tried to get me to go for that, but I don't like them either.

[Sidders]

Nice endorsement of Clios from Moyles and Dave this morning.

[Quincy]

I have a ford ka.

ha ha betti you girl. ooops

[Betti911]

Its a red ford ka as well. My sister says it looks like the one noddy drives!

[MK Chris]

Ah but does your boyfriend have big ears?

[Betti911]

Not big ears no.

[MK Chris]

Eddie (or anyone else with a new shape Corsa) - have you fitted a different stereo in it to the standard and do you know how easy it is to do? I might need to do it soon... The trouble is the standard ones are almost moulded in.

[Adam]

Get a bike. It's cheaper and you save the enviroment.

Get a VW Polo.

[MK Chris]

No, this is not for the car that I am buying - it's for someone who already has a Corsa and I'm buying her a car stereo for Christmas. Just need to make sure that it can be done otherwise there's no point getting one.

I'm not having a Polo.