Decided to start working on an European version of the $5k car guide, which would have cars for €5k/your local equivalent.
Main Choice - Renault Twingo(2004-2014, up to 175 kkm).
Pros: good equipment, large interior, cheap parts, reliable petrol engines.
Cons: no 5-door version, low-rent materials, small trunk.
Issues: electrical glitches, strut wear, diesel injection and conrod bearing failures, 1.2 oil leaks.
Mini (2000-2006, up to 175 kkm).
Pros: good handling and performance, low depreciation, reliable engines, automatic available.
Cons: tight interior and trunk, not so durable materials, expensive parts, no 5-door.
Issues: plastic part wear, rust, gearbox failures.
Fiat Panda (2003-2014, up to 150 kkm).
Pros: large interior, 5-door body, cheap parts, nice durability.
Cons: bad build quality, many badly-equipped and worn examples, unreliable suspension and higher-mileage 1.3 diesel.
Issues: suspension wear (incl. breaking springs), power steering failures, 1.2 ECU and fuel pump problems, 1.3 timing chain stretching, alternator problems.
I was also thinking about adding the VW Up, but the choice on the market might not be big enough.
What do you think?