Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

One day I am going to buy a mini, and somehow make some retro-modern custom LED tail lamps that follow the curve of the bodywork exactly, include all the necessary lights and reflectors, and are thin and rounded top and bottom, a bit like Mk1 lights.
One day.

I do wonder if it would be possible to hack up a pair of modern Mini Clubman taillights and put them in. I think they would look sweet.

I know little and care less about cars but may have need to buy one soon. Want a small city runaround, reliable, cheap insurance. Must fit in the world's smallest garage. Under a grand second hand. "If I were you" advice gratefully received. Thanks.

Ford Ka

Corsa C?

Citroen AX. You can fit a large track bike in one surprisingly easily.

1.5D engine is very economical and should also still be in the lower of the old capacity-related Tax Disc classes.

You may be able to find a recent-shaped Pug 106 1.5D, but that's more moneys. Either way you should be able to do most of the maintenance yourself or with a little help.

Also, Pug/Citroen handling = EPIC WIN.

fanko

Ford Ka

No. They rust like buggery. As with any Ford of that age. You'll end up spending twice as much on getting a garage to weld it back together for the MOT.

I'd say - Peugeot 106.
Nissan Micra.
Daewoo Matiz (hateful things but not bad)
Toyota Yaris.
Skoda Fabia.

I'd go with getting as new and low mileage Micra as possible with your budget. Not exciting but everyone I've had has been a little trooper. Quick look on autotrader sees a few early 2000 spec cars with 50k-70-k within budget. For a bit more more money, Honda Jazz are within reach and they're also a great little hatch back.

Daewoo Matiz is the cheapest car to insure and is very tiny.

And rolls over if you turn and reverse at the same time.

One day I am going to buy a mini, and somehow make some retro-modern custom LED tail lamps that follow the curve of the bodywork exactly, include all the necessary lights and reflectors, and are thin and rounded top and bottom, a bit like Mk1 lights.
One day.

Dibs.

Micra is a good shout. They take so much abuse.

Daewoo Matiz is the cheapest car to insure and is very tiny.

Asthmatic 3-cylinder engine. The controls are so vague and the firewall is so insulated you won't be able to tell you're about to stall it until you start rolling backwards.

And rolls over if you turn and reverse at the same time.

As does a Fiat 126 ;)

Depends if you have sandbags in the nose!

Also could you help me fix my odometer :P its stuck itself exactly on 40k

That jump from 39999 must have given it a shock, it probably needs the counters freeing up by opening up the clocks.

I know little and care less about cars but may have need to buy one soon. Want a small city runaround, reliable, cheap insurance. Must fit in the world's smallest garage. Under a grand second hand. "If I were you" advice gratefully received. Thanks.

I'd consider a Fiesta Zetec.
Decent handling like most Fords, cheap to repair insure etc...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303105703913/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/500/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/price-to/1000/model/fiesta/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/page/2/postcode/n87ra?logcode=p

They're actually cracking little cars with the Yamaha developed engine, handle really tidily as well.

I'd avoid any 1.5 Diesel Peugeot/Citroen if you actually want to get anywhere. By far and away the slowest cars known to man.

My AX did an indicated 110mph.

An acutal 68mph, then?

Based on how long it took to cover a certain stretch, about 105mph.

thanks all. some food for thought. shall report back on purchase.

Should I just bite the bullet and get these from minispares? dont really want 2nd hand! Or is there somewhere better to get them from
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Electrics/Lamps/Rear/13H6480.aspx?090906&ReturnUrl=/shop/classic/electrics/lamps.aspx|Back%20to%20shop

40 quid each?? Fuck off! 2nd hand and some elbow gear polishing them up.