£1k will buy you enough MX-5 to work more often than not, that's for sure. And working on them is quite easy...
Add £50 on top of that and that's what I paid for mine. A grand gets a positively
good MX5,
working ones can be had for £700-odd if you can find them.
Can't go too wrong with the Focus suggested, though I'd almost (
almost) rather have the Astra over one as I'm so damn bored of Foci now. They're everywhere, and ones in that budget are starting to look predictably late-90s Ford ropey now, with rust creeping in.
Looking at Autotrader around my local area, £1k will get you behind the wheel of Audi A4s, Saab 9-3s, Merc 190s, Volvo V40s, all of which are a bit more interesting, and indeed spacious than your average Focus.
For £545 there's even a Nissan Primera estate near me with loads of kit and in good nick. I do live near the Nissan capital of the UK so there are loads of Primeras about, and though they're not too interesting they're supposed to drive well and they seem to be reliable and well equipped too.
Or, you can go the classic route. Or neo-classic. Hunt out a Citroen XM and every journey will be like a ride on a magic carpet. Well, every journey you don't break down. Or sod the practicality thing and buy the least rusty Ford Puma you can and have a bit of fun.
Or, take the mickey and buy a Transit, chuck a mattress and a bunch of cushions in the back and have yourself a cheap camper van. They all have three seats in the front so it's still useable as a people-mover. Insurance isn't bad either and Transit parts grow on trees (and they last forever anyway) so running costs will be as cheap as walking.
