Looking at getting a cheap car ($1500) to run to work and drop the kids at school. Doesn't have to be fast or cool in anyway just cheap and reliable to run. What do you guys think would be the best suited. Obviously doesn't have to be a VW.

Hyundai excel

Instead of buying ANOTHER car,..

Wouldn't it be a consideration to put the $1500 plus rego plus insurance plus spending whatever else a $1500 dollar car needs to keep it on the road into one of those type 3's in your signature?

Then you would be cool driving to work and school.

I drove a 66 type 3 wagon for many years to work everyday. Then went for a larger kombi. Now I drive a 72 one tonner.

Sure it may not be quite as fuel efficient,.. but the little extra in fuel is more than made up for by cheaper running costs (servicing), and insurance.

I've found with my HQ tonner keeping it stock standard is the key to keeping it fuel efficient.

Only problem is that Older cars are NOT as SAFE as newer cars...

I would rather have My Wife driving My grand kids around in Our New Suzuki Swift with 7 air bags and with very good fuel economy.. 4.4l 100klms
is acheivable with careful slow driving... {Me] My wife uses much more as she likes to beat other cars at the traffic lights etc ... and 6l 100klms is very easy to obtain... Suzuki swifts have an excellent reputation also....

I would also prefer Her to be driving the Swift instead of My 1968 Beetle in any kind of accident...
plus I find air conditioning a MUST in Our Summers...

LEE

Good point about the safety Lee.

I'm still not giving up my tonner. I haven't run up the back of anyone yet

My vote for the Daewoo matiz.Im loving the "Shitty Shoe Car"(3 yr old gave it that name) No work on it except an oil and filter change.best milage so far 5.5lt per 100 km.

Go for the best Corolla or Laser you can find...
IMO...

If $1500 gets one with airbags and working aircon.. Bonus!

CarSales currently has a couple of dozen VWs for sale for up to $1500, mostly 1990s to about 2001. Polos, Golfs, Boras, T4 Transporters, even some older Passats.

http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?sortby=~Price&offset=0&q=%28%...

And you could still drive them and show them at VW events.

1996-1997 Corolla hatchback, we looked at a few when my wife's niece was looking. Budget was $1500 also. The ones we looked at had aged pretty well.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Corolla-1996/SSE-AD-4139105...

I had a 70s honda civic to drive daily as an alternative to my 2300lb kombi clutch. It was a very cool car to drive, still one of my favourites. Got it really cheap through a messy seperation thing. Probably unable to find a good one now though.

A CE lancer from late 90s is an easy car to live with/drive. I had 300,000km on mine with almost no servicing. Even the seat hadnt worn out. I found them much smoother to drive than the equivalent era excel/corolla. I have a CH lancer now. Nowhere near as good, too heavy.

Probably out of the price range but an early yaris is a surprisingly (to me) good car with unexpected rear leg room and a flat floor with no hump down the centre. In a sedan form at least, never been in a hatch.

I got a Toyota Starlet for my nephew, has proved bullet proof after 4 years of abuse and little to servicing (I have just done irregular oil changes and quick check over sort of annually).
I have replaced a lot more to our pampered and well loved low miles always garaged Golf 4 in the same period!

Shanks's pony !