BassTyranosaurus

Yeah, a 2nd hand Bubinga Warwick Corvette could last you for years, but is heavy. Personally, I don't like the natural ash ones, they feel like Warwick couldn't be bothered to finish them properly. Or just save up a little more and get a Corvette Doublebuck, fantasatic range of tones! Let us all here on Basschat temp you to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND! Still, you could always economize by using cheap strings, I recommend Legacy from Stringsdirect, I think a 4-string set is about 7 quid.

How about getting one of the older (better) Hohner Jack Headless basses off Ebay? Sometimes you get real good condition ones for approx £250, they sound great, look cool, and fit into a shorter case. Just make sure you get a good one, and like a quite chunky-curvy neck profile (personally I don't, or else I would quite happy use an old Jack). Also...it'll hardly ever go out of tune, the Steinberger copy bridges are fantastic.