I have an 04/05 Mondeo, they are a great motor (2L TDCi, 130PS, 6 speed). It drives well and I get around 50mpg combined cycle out of it - although the roadworks in town is dropping it to about 45mpg at the moment - and that is cruising at about 85-90 on the Autobahn.

That said, I would seriously look at the Corolla/Avensis or a Civic/Accord, as the build quality is better - they take longer to start rattling at high mileage - same goes for VW Group cars, in general. My '91 Passat with 120K miles on it rattled less than my company Renault Laguna at 20K!

My brother picked up a good Passat 1.8T last year, did him well, but the EMU died on him. He replaced with with a Saab 97 2.5T (big T, not little t, it does make a difference) V6, for under 2K - but that would blow your insurance... He gets over 40mpg blatting up and down between Bristol and Manchester (he lives with his fiance in Manchester, but work in Bristol).

I'd also go with something Japanese, tbh.
Or, maybe an proper Saab 900. If you can find one, grab a 9000. In fact, there's a 2.3 CSE Turbo 9000 on the Auto Trader site right now for £1850.
Described as Full Pressure Turbo, Full Anniversary Leather, Climate Control, Only 88200 miles, FSH, EW, RWW, PAS, Air Bags, Alloys, 6 months tax, MOT til Oct 2010, just had full service; Excellent condition.

Group 14 and 30mpg combined driven like a granny..... Also much more expensive on road tax than the mondeo

Something like this: CLICKY ?

fair bit more miles than I would like to be honest

I wouldn't be too worried about that kind of mileage on a diesel, if it has been properly serviced.

Looking at the last photo for the Avensis, did he rest his fags on top of the dash?

It's why I'd rather look at a 1 or 2 owner Mondeo with higher miles than a low mileage one with a load of owners

Looks like my budget is under £1k now, (parents not too keen to chip in for it)

Looking at older Accords/Civics and similar as cars with a low mileage but will run a V long time, reliable and cheap to fix
Also looking at some Volvos and Toyotas

For that money, buy Japanese. I'd say Honda. The Civic was great fun.

I'm leaning towards a civic or accord, or a similar Toyota or a VW. Is there a decent life to the engines and repair fairly cheap? Need one that will be fairly cheap to maintain and last a long time and be reliable.
My dad is advising against Nissans, is there much wrong with a car like a Primera?

Really would rather get a car sooner than later to regain my independence (going to be stuck 'borrowing' my mums Mazda 2 which is like a lard wagon lol)

Primeras are supposed to be a good drive.

Nissans are fairly reliable, but cost more than the likes of Ford or Vauxhall to repair.

clicky

That is for an 02 Primera.... I'm looking at 95-01 cars now given the budget drop... still seem reliable though, shame the only recommended one is the 2.0gt and it's a rip on insurance

Pretty much down to a Civic now, spotted a few with decent low mileage so making enquiries

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1322372.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1342992.htm

The first one (1.4) is my current preference, for closeness and condition (as well as FSH and being a hatch)

Any real difference in the engines? (the 1.6 isn't VTEC so both are saving on insurance with them both being standard engines)

How about buying my car off me? 97 P Alfa 164 Super V6 24v.

The idea was to get a reliable car that is fairly economical and not too bad on the insurance

Your Alfa fails on every requirement

Thought it might. Still, it's bloody cheap (to buy, not to run) and very quick!