Most reliable modern-ish engines - purchase for abroad

[StefanYHU]

Hi guys,
Ive been looking for a car in Spain to keep at my holiday home.

Initially I was looking for something like a cheap 1.9 mkiv golf but they are thin on the ground, and service history appears to be non existent with many of these cars.

I then considered taking a z3 or z4 out there and registering it, but having previously driven RHD cars out there, it becomes pretty tiresome.

So I am considering something a bit more modern, max budget about 5k.

I’m looking something that is very reliable, preferably easy to work on if need be, economical and small for easy parking.

Recommendations?

Thanks

[A500leroy]

Aygo/yaris .

[James_N]

Yep. 107/C1/Aygo is the default answer here.

Cheap to service, tyres cheap, in fact everything is cheap!

Just make sure to get one with Aircon!

[uktrailmonster]

Honda or Toyota for engine reliability.

[trickywoo]

Suzuki swift.

Chain driven cams, easy to service and the engines are simple and bullet proof.

[LuS1fer]

Fiat Panda.
The FIRE engine only recently went out of production after 40 years.
4 doors, amazingly practical. Choice of FWD or 4x4.

More recently, they use the Twin Air and the Firefly 3 cylinder or there's a diesel.

• Other than that, the Up! GTI if you want more sport and power or if you can make do with two seats, there is the Fiatazda MX124 which the hire car companies were confident enough to hire out. The Fiat engine is again a proven one but has the Abarth alternative for even more power.

I have seen far less of the MX5 abroad, not sure why.

• Just saw the budget. The answer for me would be a 2010- 12 Fiat Panda 169. Bulletproof and if you go to Greece or Spain or Italy, the locals all know best.

Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 7th September 14:09

[ZX10R NIN]

The nicest Astra you can find.

[Matt_T]

I wonder if a SEAT is a good choice. I think that Spanish are still fairly attached to, and fond of, the brand and so when you inevitably have to call out a garage to fix something, they are more likely to give you some help.

This is about as Spanish as a paella...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18845828

Edited by Matt_T on Monday 8th September 00:13

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I’ve got a Fiat 500c 100hp 1.4 which keep in Greece - 500s and pandas are absolutely ubiquitous and everyone knows how to fix them. Was cheap and I love it. Perfect for small roads and has the soft top.

[trickywoo]

Matt_T said:

I wonder if a SEAT is a good choice. I think that Spanish are still fairly attached to, and fond of, the brand and so when you inevitably have to call out a garage to fix something, they are more likely to give you some help.

This is about as Spanish as a paella...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18845828

Edited by Matt_T on Monday 8th September 00:13

I recall those 1.4 tsi engines being ticking bombs reliability wise. That being said the one you linked seems to have done OK, so far.

[LuS1fer]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

I’ve got a Fiat 500c 100hp 1.4 which keep in Greece - 500s and pandas are absolutely ubiquitous and everyone knows how to fix them. Was cheap and I love it. Perfect for small roads and has the soft top.

I think the convertible gets very expensive if you crack the rear window.

[scot_aln]

LuS1fer said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

I’ve got a Fiat 500c 100hp 1.4 which keep in Greece - 500s and pandas are absolutely ubiquitous and everyone knows how to fix them. Was cheap and I love it. Perfect for small roads and has the soft top.

I think the convertible gets very expensive if you crack the rear window.

Yes as the whole roof needs replaced. Cosmetics in cars very much vary in other countries though. We saw one in Greece that actually looked ok (well to me) that someone had crafted in a vinyl replacement. Only noticed as my wife has one and we've always known the roof to be the one expensive part of the whole car!

[p4cks]

Yeah those 1.4 turbod and supercharged engines are chocolate. Avoid.

[Shnozz]

I'm now in a similar situation as my old A4 cabrio blew itself up earlier in the summer.

Are you planning on buying a LHD in Spain or taking something down to re-register? Either way, I am sure you are already aware the prices are bonkers versus UK equivalent RHD cars.

We do quite a lot of local trips in Spain, whereas in the UK we tend to drive less frequently and further. It means a diesel is likely to be an issue there for DPF reasons. This means the S/H market is further limited as the Spanish love a diesel.

Currently thinking something like a Qashqui or RAV4 petrol. Dull but pretty robust.

[Mr_Megalomaniac]

Basic Totoya.
My ex-gf's parents did it with their holiday home. Trickle charger and you're all set.

[ITP]

Honda jazz.

[StefanYHU]

Shnozz said:

I'm now in a similar situation as my old A4 cabrio blew itself up earlier in the summer.

Are you planning on buying a LHD in Spain or taking something down to re-register? Either way, I am sure you are already aware the prices are bonkers versus UK equivalent RHD cars.

We do quite a lot of local trips in Spain, whereas in the UK we tend to drive less frequently and further. It means a diesel is likely to be an issue there for DPF reasons. This means the S/H market is further limited as the Spanish love a diesel.

Currently thinking something like a Qashqui or RAV4 petrol. Dull but pretty robust.

Pulling away on those short, dead stop slipways, onto the chaotic traffic on malagas dual carriageway, means it has to be LHD!

I had our car seized out there recentlywhen I took my UK tax of it, came back to my car and the police were using DVLA reg checker to see if it had mot and tax. Of the car disappeared onto a truck lol!

[Shnozz]

StefanYHU said:

Pulling away on those short, dead stop slipways, onto the chaotic traffic on malagas dual carriageway, means it has to be LHD!

I had our car seized out there recentlywhen I took my UK tax of it, came back to my car and the police were using DVLA reg checker to see if it had mot and tax. Of the car disappeared onto a truck lol!

Yeah I wouldn't want RHD in Spain for the same reasons. Have had my Exige down there and wasn't too bad as its so tiny so could position yourself easily, but still far from ideal and that was very much just as a weekend toy rather than daily car.

Amazes me how many tightwads will reregister a RHD car! Ultimately you have to give them away to sell them too.

As I say, I am thinking a Japanese/Korean soft-roader for Spain. Reliable and a bit raised for some of the steeper slopes and high curbs.

[flatso]

Corolla from 2018 onward. If you have the budget for a hybrid model even better.
They are surprisingly refined, the 2.0 petrol hybrid is no longer a complete snail and I think Toyota gave a 10 year warranty on them in Spain as well. The estate especially should also have great resale value.

[Gareth1974]

Fiat Barchetta? All UK cars are LHD.

Something like this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507164...