Mini, City car czar

BMW era MINIs haven't quite dropped below the £4k mark yet, even for 2001 examples, but like the Ka earlier on this list, there's a strong case for the original even though the update is in every respect the better, more modern car. (Angry emails to the usual address please, original Mini owners.)

You've heard the gushing talk about the original Mini's cult status and all encompassing greatness before - especially given the whole 50th anniversary thing - so we won't go over old ground here. So, what can be had for £4k? Well, the Mini is a bona fide classic, and an aged one at that, so there's a huge swell of rubbish to sift through for every good example. Our budget should be enough to buy a car in good fettle and capable of running nicely as a day-to-day city dweller. But as ever, if you're not au fait with all things mechanical, take someone who is when you're looking otherwise you could spend more time under the car than in it. Re-builds can be a good option, but we refer to the previous sentence to make sure you're buying into quality workmanship.

Mark Nichol