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  1. Five of the best cars for under £1,000
  2. Saab 9-3, Sparing Swede
  3. Volkswagen Passat, Prudent Passat
  4. Peugeot 306, Frugal Frenchie
  5. Volkswagen Corrado, Careful Corrado
  6. Vauxhall Omega, On sale Omega

Saab 9-3, Sparing Swede

Saab's 9-3 may be a premium bodied Vauxhall Vectra but the Swede has some badge credibility at this price point where the Vauxhall does not. Indeed, buy sensibly and spend a few more quid on a non-dating number plate and many won't know you're driving something that's got big miles on the odometer and is at least nine years old.

Saabs wear their miles well so don't be afraid of figures well north of 100,000-miles. Styling has remained much the same throughout its lifetime so even ten-year-old cars still look relatively fresh, and find a three-door model and you've got coupé-like looks. Solid, classy, safe and a decent enough drive, find a good Saab 9-3 and it'll easily drive you out the other side of this economic downturn in style and with money in your pocket.