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Hi Guys,

Looking at buying a cheap under $3.5k manual car as a second car. Will be used a couple of times a week for a distance around 10kms a day.

At this price range am I better off getting a mid 1990s car with lower mileage ( say around 120-160K) but with less safety equipment or a post 2000 car with more safety equipment but more complicated computer systems, cooling systems etc. I'm specifically looking at Ford Focus' form 2002 onwards- any issues I should look for? I know cooling systems were a weak point in the Mondeo is this the same in the Focus. Out of the older cars I'm looking at Corollas, Primeras and Astinas

I'm not sure about cooling systems - I think like all cars, if the cooling system has been properly maintained, the Focus shouldn't be too bad in this area. Like many cars from this era, some of the cooling system fittings are plastic, which can deteriorate with time, so it can be worthwilie replacing plastic houisings and fittings as a precaution.
On a manual Focus, the clutch can be a very expensie job, due to the dual mass flywheel.
Probably a mainstream Japanese model may be the preference on a cheaper car, as they tends to be less complex and parts are generally cheaper and more plentiful.