Most of those cars above are on HJ's high death risk in accidents inc the Nissan Micra.

One of the jap cars I was looking at is the early Almeras I can afford the insurance but they rust and rust. The MK2s are better but out of my price range. I am really thinking a Skoda Fabia but again they are too pricey for what they are. A Seat Ibiza MK2 is another one was going to see one but the sellers seemed a bit fishy so I didn't bother.

PS most cars this age should be reliable, even my current one is its simplicity really I am after, I would prefer a cam driven engine but I can't be too fussy.

This is the underneath I just put my camera underneath so could not get a pic of the fail area but you get the idea, I would imagine the bit it failed on was a lot worse.