Help me buy a fun used car under Rs. 1 lakh budget in Goa

I was looking at old Corollas, first-gen Figos, Fiat Punto 1.4 petrols, and old Civics/Citys. What do you find people suggest?

BHPian Doge recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

So I have recently moved to Goa and have been thinking of buying a used car for under 1 lakh instead of wasting money on renting here. I'm totally okay with spending around 30k a year on maintenance, for example, and lower fuel efficiency isn't a problem for me. Age isn't an issue either—after leaving NCR, I've been loving spotting older cars here.
Now here’s the twist in this "what car" thread: I really want to avoid the default best choice—Marutis. I don’t fit in any Maruti because of my height, and most of them drive terribly on the highways and are uncomfortable for long distances.
I was looking at old Corollas, first-gen Figos, Fiat Punto 1.4 petrols, and old Civics/Citys.
What do you find people suggest?

Here's what BHPian self_driven replied to this query:

I think you are overlooking the fact that most cars <1 lakh won't be dependable for long distances, despite your willingness to spend 30k annually on maintenance. This is where popular cars shine. You can keep even an unreliable Maruti or Hyundai running with occassional repairs. Part availability, new or refurbished, isn't a concern, cars are simple and easier to work on. Your mechanic won't treat you like a cash cow if you pull up in a 15 year old Santro instead of a Corolla or Civic of similar vintage. Speaking of which, Santro Xing seems to be the perfect car for your requirements.

If you've absolutely made up your mind against budget cars, then old Japanese cars will be your best bet. Honda Civic, City and Corolla all are decent choices.

Meanwhile here's what BHPian It's Magic had to say in this matter:

In my opinion, it's a gamble to look for a good car below ₹1 lakh, as most available cars will either have completed 15 years or be on the verge of doing so. Additionally, since you need a highway runner, I would suggest that it's better to be safe than sorry. Unless you personally know the current owner and how well they have maintained the car, it's a risk, in my view.

I would recommend slightly increasing your budget and hunting for a car purchased 10–12 years ago. You could consider the Ford Figo or VW Polo. As @self_driven suggested, your best bet would be a Maruti or Hyundai for ease of maintenance and better chances of spare parts availability. I would also advise against getting cars like the Corolla, Civic, or Fiat Punto, as spare parts availability could be an issue.

Best of luck!

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