Mike is on a limited budget and knows he should stick to the more mainstream and trusted Japanese brands when it comes time to replace his car, but he wants something quirky.
"I refuse to spend huge amounts of money on any vehicle. My previous car was an old 1998 Saab 9000 which everyone told me to get rid of years ago. I paid $4000 initially, owned it for six years, had no major mechanical problems and with an odometer showing 230,000km sold it for $500," says Mike.
He is now on the lookout for something that stands out from the crowd a little, but because he is carrying a bit of extra gear around these days it needs to have some level of practicality as well. Eyes at the moment are centred on a Chrysler PT Cruiser.
I can't argue with your logic, Mike, but I suspect there has been an element of luck or some DIY repairs with the Saab during ownership that have kept your running costs so low.
There's nothing wrong with moving away from the mainstream brands but it does pay to be careful in your selection, especially in this price bracket. I suggest you take into consideration the availability and potential cost of spare parts, plus the technical expertise out in the field to service and repair a particular oddball make and model.
