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‘A truly fun motor’, expert reveals best sports car to buy for under £5k… and it’s cheap to run
Experts say the car offers the best value for money on the second-hand market
A motors expert has revealed the best sports car to buy for under £5,000 - and it's cheap to run.
The low-weight, rear-drive car costs less than £5,000 and has a small engine and wide part availability.
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Much-loved convertible Mazda MX-5 (1998 to 2005) has been described as Japan's take on the classic British sports car recipe of the 1960s.
It comes with two seats and a folding fabric roof and is, according to experts at carbuyer.co.uk, "truly fun" and great to drive.
The car's low weight makes it a joy to drive along country lanes, and its relatively small engine, simple mechanics, and wide part availability means it is fairly cheap to run.
Second-generation MX-5s were said by experts to offer the best value for money on the second-hand market.
More on £5k motors
Prices start from £1,500 but the experts advised buyers to consider spending at least double that to lower their chances of ending up with a dodgy car.
Experts further recommended thoroughly inspecting any MX-5's wheelarches and sills for bubbling and flaking paint, as nearly all of the cars suffer from rust issues.
Also on the list of great cars drivers can buy for less than £5,000, according to motor experts from online marketplace Carwow, is the Ford Fiesta.
Ford sold 4.8 million units in a nearly 50-year production run, and the model claimed the title of the most popular in the UK for 12 consecutive years - from 2009 to 2020.
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Carwow's John Rawlings said it was a "great car to drive" and it fits well within the £5,000 budget.
Mid-sized hatchback Peugeot 208, the Ford Ka, the Citroen C1, and the Nissan Note also made Carwow's list of top bargain rides.
Five steps to get a better deal on your next car
The C1, dubbed the "perfect city car" by John, is a little smaller than some of Carwow's other top picks as it was built on the same platform as the Peugeot 208's little brother - the 108.
Experts from Warrantywise, meanwhile, said 10 of the most reliable used cars drivers can buy for less than £10,000 include the Kia Rio, the Peugeot 107, the Honda CR-V, the Kia Cee'd, and the Toyota Hilux.
The top five most reliable second-hand cars were said to be Toyota's Aygo and Auris, the Mazda 2, and the Suzuki Swift, with the Toyota Yaris topping the list.
Car Auctions: How To Nab A Bargain
Car auctions are a way to sell vehicles based on a bidding system with the highest offer securing the deal.
Auctions aren't restricted to the rich and famous as thousands of cars are sold at motor auctions in the UK each week.
Here's what you need to know before attending an auction:
- Be prepared: Do your research on the car you would like to purchase beforehand.
- Check the car: Cars will usually be lined up before the start, so make sure to arrive early to inspect the desired car thoroughly.
- Have a back-up: Be ready for disappointment as your desired motor may be sold to someone else and select a few back-ups.
- Be realistic: Realise that there won't be a "perfect" car at an auction and adjust expectations accordingly.
- Set a budget: It is easy to overspend in the heat of the moment during bidding. Ensure you have set a budget and do not go over it.
Key phrases to look out for:
- ‘No major mechanical faults’ – suggests that there shouldn't be any issues with the car's drivetrain, gearbox, suspension, or engine.
- ‘Specified faults’ – the auctioneer will read out specific faults.
- ‘Sold as seen’ – the vehicle is sold with any problems it may have. The auction company will rarely entertain complaints regarding the mechanical or cosmetic condition of these vehicles after sale.
- ‘Sold with a warranted mileage’ - The car is being offered based on the report, which confirms the mileage through an independent check.