13 Nov 07
It's not hard to find a cheap, reliable car if you scout around the local papers and low-end local forecourts - keeping your wits about you and using your common sense, of course.
Bangers are cheaper than ever and £500 or so easily buys something that should last you a while, if you're not fussy about immaculate bodywork, up-to-the-minute styling or impressing the neighbours.
But stretch the budget a bit further - £3,000, say - and you could get something much newer, with more comprehensive crash protection and safety kit as well as smarter looks.
