If you want basic transport at an affordable price, the Nissan Micra fits the bill. The light steering, tight turning circle and good visibility make it a very easy car to drive, and despite its teeny dimensions, there's a decent amount of space in the cabin. It's affordable to buy, and with high fuel economy and low emissions, it's cheap to run.
The 79bhp and super-economical 97bhp 1.2-litre petrol engines are available in three trims. Visia cars are too basic and Tekna models are too expensive, so we'd recommend mid-spec Acenta trim, which gives you alloys and climate and cruise controls at a reasonable price.