Very sensible, yes an old Daihatsu would do the trick, or a (and you probably won't want to hear this) Matiz would be good too, very narrow, they even come, rarely, with a proper torque convert auto box which is a nicer and smoother drive than you might expect.

Also, it will be older but IMO one of the best small cars ever made, Toyota Starlet (wouldn't be surprised if shares underpinnings with Daihatsu of similar age), again a good auto offered of which there are quite a few, many of these bought by older folk and you can still find the odd one or two family owned examples....Yaris very good but might have been through several hands by the time its at this budget.

Don't rule out a decent Pug 106, petrol or Diesel, about the only place they rust is under the rear floor above the suspension arms, easy to douse in oily muck.

One little Diesel car that seems to be sung the praises of is the VW Lupo (Seat Arosa similar but might be smaller Diesel), i know nothing about them other than from posts i've read on several forums, seemingly a quite big (1.7SDi) NA Diesel runs easy under the bonnet of some giving good economy and effortless low revved torque.

This might be what i do too but for slightly different reasons, it seems a shame to put my old MB through the worst of the annual salt bath,she is 18 now after all, two days a week i can't take the Outback as SWMBO looks after grandaughter.

Edited by gordonbennet on 04/09/2014 at 09:09

I wouldn't fancy a 6-mile bike ride either side of a long day's work! Although a scooter is a possibility, but not great in the winter!

Definitely go for petrol and four side doors: a two-door is a pain in a narrow car park. For me it would be a Fiesta or a Yaris - a Fiesta because there are so many around, abnd better to drive than a Corsa, a Yaris because nothing soldiers on like an old Toyota. Maybe up the budget a little, given that I think you decided to keep the S-Max, and look for a 1.3 Yaris.