As one of the UK's best-selling cars there's no shortage of Corsa to choose between. Forever in the shadow of the Fiesta, the Corsa is nonetheless a great small car for new and old drivers alike, and its ubiquity means cheap motoring is guaranteed thanks to low purchase and parts costs.
We've picked a second-generation car here for its simplicity; an older, low-mileage car is likely to be cheaper to run than a high-mileage third-generation car (from 2006 on). Check for tired rear wheelbearings and the electro-hydraulic steering can be weak, plus we'd avoid the 1.0-litre engine as it's hideously underpowered.
We found: 1999 Daihatsu Sirion 1.0 +, £595, 68,000 miles
Daihatsu might be a defunct brand in the UK, but that doesn't stop tiddlers like the Sirion from being a brilliant budget buy. Bought by old people who service them to within an inch of their lives, Daihatsus are reliable and fun, if hardly cutting edge. Your best bet is to buy a three-cylinder 1.0-litre car as the thrum it produces is great fun – just watch out for tired interiors and rotten exhausts along with snapped front suspension springs.We found: 2003 MG TF 1.8, £650, 75,000 miles
Forget the MG's reputation for fragility; properly looked after, these cars will sail past the 100,000-mile mark with ease. The key of course is to ensure the cooling system isn't compromised, and that's easier than you might think. The Hydragas suspension on the F is another potential weakness which is why we've opted for the later TF instead, with its steel suspension.
However, don't dismiss an F if you can find one at the right price; either of these smart-looking MGs will provide fun aplenty, and with values rising for good examples, you'll find ownership can be especially cheap.We found: 2004 Saab 9-3 2.0T Vector convertible, £690, 125,000 miles
Our plan was to track down a tidy 9-3 hatch, but when we saw a very presentable convertible for under 700 quid our heads were turned. After all, what's not to like? You get a smart-looking drop-top with comfy seats, excellent safety credentials even now, a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that develops a healthy 150bhp, but it's unstressed so it should last for years as long as the engine oil is changed regularly.
The Saab isn't the sharpest handler as it's a bit wobbly, but there should be plenty of life left in this one.We found: 2003 Hyundai Accent 1.6 CDX, £695, 72,500 miles
No, we haven't taken leave of our senses. One of the golden rules of bangernomics is to give underdogs like the Hyundai Accent a chance. We're not suggesting this will ever set your pulse racing, but the Accent's simplicity means there's not much to go wrong. Its image means low asking prices and its five-door hatchback configuration ensures practicality galore.
Still not sold on the idea? OK, but if you want to make an anti-fashion statement, few things do the job as well as a Hyundai Accent.We found: 2004 Ford StreetKa 1.6 Luxury, £749, 68,000 miles
The 1.6-litre Ford SportKa was great fun to drive and while its sibling the StreetKa doesn't have quite the same poise or sharp looks, if you want a cheap two-seater convertible for the summer this unusual Ford might be just the job. The image of the StreetKa isn't for everyone, but they're dependable enough and cheap to run in a way that only a Ford can be.We found: 1993 Honda Prelude 2.0, £795, 120,000 miles
We're into modern classic territory here, but that's no bad thing as classic car insurance tends to be cheap. This fourth-generation Prelude still cuts a dash and looks far more appealing than the model that succeeded it in 1997 (we also found one of those for sale for £600). The Prelude's interior is immaculate while the rear wheelarches are crusty, but you could run this for a couple of years then sell it for £300-£400 and you'll still be quids in.You may think that the Almera is synonymous with being boring, but it’s actually not a bad car to drive, even if it is uninspiring to look at. However, the dull image makes the car a great used buy because depreciation has always been savage yet the cars are inherently reliable. They also appeal to owners who mollycoddle them, so there are plenty of cracking low-mileage used examples out there to choose from.
The most likely problems are failed camshaft or crankshaft sensors leading to the car refusing to start. Easily fixed, buy a car with one of these and you could land a real bargain.
