Wheeler Dealers’ host Mike Brewer picks £1,750 used car that drivers ‘can’t go wrong’ with – it’s cheap to run & insure
WHEELER DEALERS’ star Mike Brewer has revealed his top pick for a budget motor that drivers can pick up for less than £1,750.
The much-loved TV personality, who’s been the main man on the popular classic car restoration programme since 2003, recently talked up the evergreen Toyota Aygo as a great option for those looking for something cheap to buy, run and insure.
On the ‘Ask Mike’ page of his official website, where fans can submit questions and queries, James from Soihill asked Mike for advice on the best affordable car for a newly qualified driver.
James wrote: “My daughter has just passed her driving test and is looking for her first car.
“She’s got £1,750 to spend but wants something that’s cheap to run, and still decent to drive. Help!”
Responding to the question, Mike said: “I reckon she can’t go wrong with a first-generation Toyota Aygo.
“She can pick the Citroen or Peugeot version if she wants as they are the same car, and there’s masses of choice within her budget.
“Insurance and fuel will be cheap, too, and they are pretty nippy little things.”
The first gen Aygo, first released in 2005, is a common sight on UK roads and is loved for its small size, affordability, and reliability.
After running over three generations until 2022, the Aygo was eventually replaced by the Aygo X – a larger, more crossover-style version of the standard Aygo.
The original Aygo, with its 1.0-litre engine and five-speed manual gearbox, was built with budget in mind – costing just £7,000 when it was brand new.
As Mike mentioned, the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 are virtually identical to the Aygo.
In fact, they’re both simply rebadged versions of the same car, with the main difference being the badging, rear side windows, steering wheel, and the front and rear treatments.
The Aygo is perhaps best remembered by petrolheads for featuring in a famous episode of Top Gear, where hosts Richard Hammond and James May compete in a game of car football using the Aygo.
It sees a mix of British Touring Car drivers and stuntmen go head-to-head in a five-a-side match, including large goals and a car sized football.
After reviewing the model, Hammond praised its straightforward design and efficient cost-cutting measures.
He added: “Firstly it looks great, kind of young and cute. Secondly, it’s cheap.
“You might think we are into just solid gold Lamborghini‘s and Ferrari’s with jet engines and you’d be right.
“But we do love cheap cars, especially clever cheap cars. Some cars are designed and then built cheaply but the Aygo was designed to be cheap from the start. It’s in its genes.”
Hammond was on hand recently to help unveil a brand new offering from iconic British firm Morgan Motors.
The cult marque are readying the introduction of their new flagship vehicle, the Supersport, which is set to replace the Plus Six model.
The latter ended production last year, with only a limited-edition Pinnacle version released since.
The Supersport’s debut is scheduled for March 11 and will take place at Morgan’s headquarters in Malvern, Worcestershire, with Hammond presenting.