Bangernomics best buys: Fiat Panda

2007 Fiat Panda 100HP, 91,000 miles, £2895: The 100HP is the Panda you should seek if you really want to have fun. This one has a full service history, plenty of recent bills and quite a lot of MOT (with a clear history) left.

2010 Fiat Panda 1.2 4x4, 79,000 miles, £4295: Here’s the perfect titchy SUV with just a couple of previous owners: a four-wheel-drive Panda. It comes with a panoramic sunroof as well as the usual roof rails, plus a full MOT.

Or try this

2012 Kia Picanto 1.0, 56,000 miles, £3995: Basic city car? Here’s one answer that’s slightly less boring and better value than a Honda Jazz. It has below-average mileage, a full Kia history and a competitive asking price.

Idol fancy

Alfa Romeo 147, 2001-2009

The 147 was the best small Alfa Romeo for decades, with superb styling, engines and specs – oh, and the usual long list of issues to worry about. Never mind, though, because it’s great to drive when it works. Choose a 3dr for looks or a 5dr for practicality, even though the latter feels more claustrophobic.

Anyway, Alfas are all about the handling and the engines. The 1.6 TS makes 120bhp, while the 2.0 TS is Prosecco-fizzy with 150bhp. The 3.2 V6 in the GTA has a whacking 250bhp and the 1.9 JTD diesels (from 2005) are frugal while making 120bhp and 150bhp.

It’s worth finding a car in Turismo trim, which gives you climate control. Steel wheels are standard, but you will find alloys on a Lusso.

Galvanised bodywork seems to have worked its magic. However, you need to watch out for worn suspension bushes and wishbones (listen for clunks and look at tyre wear). The Selespeed gearbox can go on the blink so make sure the paddles work. The TS engines can drink oil, so check the level and judge the seller. And if the odometer is flashing, there could be a problem with just about any ECU.

Buy now

Honda HR-V, 1999-2005: The world had no idea it needed a three-door 4x4 estate styled like the Space Shuttle. The world was also offered a front-wheel-drive SE version for a while. A five-door arrived in 2000 and eventually became the sole flavour of Honda HR-V, and there was a complete range that was freshened up in 2001.

By early 2003, the range comprised just a 1.6 CVT and a 1.6 VTEC manual. Standard kit included power steering, two airbags, air-con, electric windows and mirrors, anti-lock brakes and remote central locking.

In case you wondered, the Dual Pump four-wheel drive system came from the CR-V and is really a subtle assistance system that will help you in a grassy car park, rather than clamber up the Eiger. The HR-V is very likeable, fun and practical, then, but it does suffer from rust and neglect.

One we found