I'm going to use a £1.5K equivalent, but mine would be :
1. Original Mini - production ended in 2000 and they rust like a Yugo at sea but there are still a few usable ones on ebay that haven't been converted to a bike engine or a K-series (Rover not Honda) engine. Mine would be the mid-80s City E model which has the benefit of 12 inch wheels and front disk brakes.
I have had 2 in this colour and spec...
2. Or better still the Metro version - a HLE like I used to have. Again rare due to rust and a bad image but there are some still out there.
Both of these are powered by the same engine, higher compression in the Metro HLE and 46 vs 40 hp. Fuel consumption is about the same and you can cheaply improve the Mini with electric fan etc.
SU carbs too FTW! The Metro has better aero but more weight - 1800lbs. Blimey, now we would consider a car at 1800 lbs as a lightweight...
3. Citroen AX - the (very much) distant production relative of the eco2000 project to produce a car that does 2l/100km (141/117 MPG Imp/US). Lightweight and simple FWD small hatch.
4. Citroen CX 25 DTR Turbo 2 Safari. The car with the longest name ever.
5. Mini Marcos - again based on the original Mini but with better aero, or probably the updated Midas Bronze version.
Hmmm I think I have a theme here but these cars could be bought and completed (to at least running spec) for the money - maybe.
