I was actually thinking of buying a ZX, since it's much nicer interior wise than the 106 and saxo, not to mention the ride and handling are beyond belief, having been in one myself. They're also just as cheap if not cheaper, you can pick up a decent example for under 900 euro. Most of them have the 1.4 petrol engine which puts out a healthy 75hp and doesn't break the bank in maintenance or fuel consumption. In fact, they're damn near perfect reliability wise I've heard great things about the punto aswell, but it's nearly impossible to find one in good shape here. Independent suspension is just something that looks nice on paper IMO. The most comfortable car I've ever had the pleasure of being a passenger in was, you guessed it, the ZX, and it uses a solid axle for the rear suspension, and so do the famous AX, Saxo and 106 models that are also known for their supreme handling and comfort
You can get 1-2 multipla's for 1000 euro here good first car because: it has space for you and five girls. You can take a lot of beer with you. It is also super safe because everyone and everything runs away from it (idk how to do the five girls btw) you won't get speeding tickets because even the cameras run away and it has boobs so it is the best car.
It might be a little over your budget but if you search had enough you might be able to get a 1'st gen renault megane. If you want to be fast, buy the pre-facelift cupe model with F7R engine (2.0l 16V, 150hp) And If you want to be efficient buy the 1.6 or 1.4 liter model. My dad has a 2000 hatchback with 1.4l 8v engine which gets 75hp, but it is faster than you might expect as it weighs 1048kg. + renault is known from its handling. Yes, it is soft but has steering is quite precise and it handles okay. Perfect car for some more bumpy roads like we have here in Poland. (P.S. Don't even think about swapping an engine from pre-facelift model into the later model as they've changed the motor mounts, that's why my dad's megane is still stuck with slightly worn 250 000 km 1.4l 8v engine instead of a 170 000km 1.4 8v from our old megane which my sister has crashed. P.S.2. The engine from the old megane still sits in my basement and it is too good to throw away into junkyard)
To be completely honest, 1.4L is already pushing the limits of displacement for my budget I've seen plenty of 1st gen Meganes for sale, but at my budget it's hard to find a good one sadly. Sure, i'll send you the fuel bill
Do someone have to tell the same thing over and over GAS IS CHEAPER IN THE USA plus insurance for is not that bad if you're getting the 2.1 L (126 cu in) Renault J8S I4, 2.5 L (150 cu in) AMC I4 (gasoline), 2.5 L (153 cu in) VM Motori 425 OHV I4 (turbocharged diesel), or the 2.8 L (173 cu in) GM LR2 V6
Sure, I'd love to pay 52 cents per liter of fuel, but sadly I live in a land where fuel is taxed to hell and back
And that's why I said "In the USA" because it was for people who live in the USA because. I'm pretty sure you have a good idea on what car you should buy by now thanks to the thread.
After looking at the prices for fuel in your country, i gotta say, thats why diesel cars are so popular. You need that extra MPG.
I think a 1990s Toyota Corolla is the number one. Bulletproof mechanical bits, more space and better dynamics than most of your suggestions.
Don't make me laugh, no car is reliable, all will break down it just depends on what the other driver did to it.
Not to mention tax is cheaper, and so is the fuel itself. I doubt diesel bans will be coming any time within the next 2 decades, at least to my country. Most portuguese people would laugh in your face if you said their diesel peugeot car from 1989 was gonna be banned anytime soon Having said that diesels are much more expensive, and most of them have super high mileage, making maintenance a bigger issue. It might be more economical in the long run to go the petrol route sadly.
You may break any car if you try hard enough, but some cars are much more prone to malfunctions and different cars' drivetrains have different estimated lifespans- some can go over 1000000 km, some will fail at 300000.