Kill my inner child - sub $10k daily beater

[Buller_Scott]

Hi guys, I'm calling on your collective wealth of knowledge when it comes to cars, because I know it's so diverse, and I need some real advice here.

The story: was broke/ unemployed for a while > decent position in growing company, recently > now I have a bit more financial freedom than, well, being broke lol > back in the market for a car.

The motivation: if I allocated the same percentage of my income to my next car, as I did to my shtty little Polo TDI (I loved that car), I'd be lining up something like a second hand C63, e92 M3, new RS265 Megane (cheap but awesome), 135i blah blah blah, maybe stretch to a 2011 Nissan GTR. But alas, my sensible side has kicked in, and I'm looking to nurture my income elsewhere.

Thinking:
- it'll be parked outside on the street, subject to rain, hail and bird crap, but will be driven to the snow (I'll get chains)
- sub $10k, around 7-8 would be ideal (let's face it, it'll be a sh7tter that I'll drive hard on cold starts, etc)
- hatch or small sedan (commofalcons are cheap, but I'll be the only person in the car, otherwise me +dog)
- RELIABLE! I'll keep up with scheduled service for sure, but I don't want something that's going to conk out in the next 3 years / below 200,000 km's even with regular maintenance
- decent service-ability - nothing that's been so long-gone from Australia that e.g. a water pump or timing belt would be impossible to obtain
- whatever you guys want to pitch at me. People associate Renault with unreliability, but we know the F4R engines (I think?) in the 172 Clio are good to go. Yell anything at me!

List so far:
- nissan cube (micra sht inside, quirky)
- fiat punto
- 6n polo
- nissan micra (currently renting one for a month, fkcing love the thing - it's got good visibility, roomy inside, and isht enough not to care about)
- 1st gen honda jazz
- 1st gen toyota yaris, or toyota echo
- early 2000's 'rolla, or camry
- toyota caldina (high km's, not sure)

Anything else you guys want to put ideas into my head with? i'm casting my net pretty far on this one - as long as i can get it serviced, and it's reliable, then it'll go on my shortlist.

Thanks in advance - i'm relying on experience and broad thinking - the play toy will come soon enough, but for now, i need something that will take a beating (which will probably make me fall in love with it, haha).

Cheers guys

[team_v]

To be honest, the Mazda 2/Honda Jazz is a pretty good pickup.
You might be able to jag a Mazda 3 for that price range now too.

If you want a cheap daily that is reasonably fun to chuck around, then Japan is your go to place.

[kaanage]

Come back to the fold, Scotty!!
2007 Volkswagen Polo 9N TDI MY2007

At least have a drive of mine before condemning them as $hitboxes - I reckon that poly dogbone mount really fuçked yours up (mine comes off as soon as the track day finishes)

[Domel]

I know it's not on your list and it's quite different to what you've considered so far, but a nice low mileage (sub-200k) e30 318is could be had for less than $10k. It's an older car but very reliable and super fun to drive. I am biased though

[THE_EGG]

2007-2008 Ford Fiesta XR4? Great little cars, one of my friends has one. They seem to be around $7500-$12000 <- definitely my choice if I were choosing.

Volvo S40?

[Transporter]

Honda Jazz is quite a bulletproof car, cheap servicing (doesn't need many parts). When buying secondhand watch out for the noisy rear wheel bearings, that's the only thing that goes wrong with them - to my knowing anyway and not that expensive to repair.

[QBDentFree]

You want something cheap and sensible? It'd be hard to look past the newest corolla your budget allows. It'll be much, much nicer to drive than your Micra, and will keep going forever

[99_FGT]

Suzuki Swift were a decent throw about in that price and size...
I'd also say a Renault Sport Clio, but that might not fit the reliable bill. But it will bring a smile to your face every time it does go.

[brad]

Of the cars on your list I'd scratch off the Fiat & possibly the caldina (which I know nothing about). The others shouldn't give too many issues although the Jazz would be my pick.

Ford Fiesta are very good.

I'd also consider a Gen4 Liberty or an Impreza if you are going to the snow a bit.

[Ideo]

BMW 328i manual coupe. E36.

Simple to work on. Parts from the UK/US are cheap. Ultra reliable if you get one that has been well looked after.