First car, £3k budget - what's good?
Discussion
Hey guys!
Recently joined the forums, and only recently formed any interest in driving, but it's now my favourite thing to do. I'm 31, only recently passed my test after a move back to rural Wales from London meant public transport now takes easily 4 times as long as a car trip!
So I've been looking to get my first car, with a budget of around £3 grand. Ideally under to save some money for the insurance, but it depends what's on offer. I started looking at Yarises after they came recommended all the time as a first car, but I didn't like the interior and the ride on country lanes was a bit harsh. Wouldn't mind having a look at a Suzuki Swift, but I'm thinking something bigger might be the way to go? Something like a 1.6 Zetec Focus? Obviously insurance is higher than a Yaris, but not really that much.
Anyway, basically I want a reliable workhorse that will get me around the Brecon Beacons. Trawling Auto Trader is killing me so I'd like any suggestions on what to look for. I know that's quite vague but just looking for pointers more than anything, don't want to mess up this first purchase!
I'm 6'1" and broad if that makes a difference. No Clios.
Cheers!
Recently joined the forums, and only recently formed any interest in driving, but it's now my favourite thing to do. I'm 31, only recently passed my test after a move back to rural Wales from London meant public transport now takes easily 4 times as long as a car trip!
So I've been looking to get my first car, with a budget of around £3 grand. Ideally under to save some money for the insurance, but it depends what's on offer. I started looking at Yarises after they came recommended all the time as a first car, but I didn't like the interior and the ride on country lanes was a bit harsh. Wouldn't mind having a look at a Suzuki Swift, but I'm thinking something bigger might be the way to go? Something like a 1.6 Zetec Focus? Obviously insurance is higher than a Yaris, but not really that much.
Anyway, basically I want a reliable workhorse that will get me around the Brecon Beacons. Trawling Auto Trader is killing me so I'd like any suggestions on what to look for. I know that's quite vague but just looking for pointers more than anything, don't want to mess up this first purchase!
I'm 6'1" and broad if that makes a difference. No Clios.
Cheers!
Must admit all roads keeps coming back to the Yaris, yeah. I prefer the looks of the Swift but the finish and practicality of the Yaris seem a bit better.
Found a nice blue Zetec Climate Focus to go and have a look at on Saturday though. I don't know too much about reliability but I imagine parts are available everywhere?
Found a nice blue Zetec Climate Focus to go and have a look at on Saturday though. I don't know too much about reliability but I imagine parts are available everywhere?
can get a good 2009+ Jazz for that?
yaris is damn tiny, terrible interior , not that great car, the only thing that it has going on for is reliability,
Focus? Why would you even consider that junk..They are NOT reliable nor that economical or not really good at anything..
Swift - From outside it's alright, but in real day to day usage it will be junk as well, although Suzuki is japanese they certainly don't have the quality from japanese cars..
Good economical, cheap to insure cars that won't make you broke around that budget: jazz, auris,fabia... and that's pretty much it.
yaris is damn tiny, terrible interior , not that great car, the only thing that it has going on for is reliability,
Focus? Why would you even consider that junk..They are NOT reliable nor that economical or not really good at anything..
Swift - From outside it's alright, but in real day to day usage it will be junk as well, although Suzuki is japanese they certainly don't have the quality from japanese cars..
Good economical, cheap to insure cars that won't make you broke around that budget: jazz, auris,fabia... and that's pretty much it.
Edited by itaa on Tuesday 14th June 20:48
Edited by itaa on Tuesday 14th June 20:51
itaa said:
Good economical, cheap to insure cars that won't make you broke around that budget: jazz, auris,fabia... and that's pretty much it.
Haven't seen an 09+ Jazz around (except a Cat D) but I'll keep an eye out. Auris might be a good shout, there's an (overbearing) ad here with very low mileage and not far away.outsidetown said:
Must admit all roads keeps coming back to the Yaris, yeah. I prefer the looks of the Swift but the finish and practicality of the Yaris seem a bit better.
Found a nice blue Zetec Climate Focus to go and have a look at on Saturday though. I don't know too much about reliability but I imagine parts are available everywhere?
I wouldn't look past the Focus if I were you, tremendously reliable in petrol form, cheap parts (don't buy the cheapest ones though, they're sFound a nice blue Zetec Climate Focus to go and have a look at on Saturday though. I don't know too much about reliability but I imagine parts are available everywhere?
te quality) drives well, and will last you basically as long as you want until you get bored.
outsidetown said:
Cheers guys, here's the Focus I was looking at!
Well I have to say it's MOT history is spot on, not even on advisory on the last few. That's not always a guarantee of perfection by any means, but it's a better sign than a car with a laundry list of advisories every year including things like oil leaks, worn tyres, mystery clonks etc.OP, there are loads of choices - a Focus does drive well, but I'd probably go for a Golf/Seat Leon/Skoda Octavia as they seem to have less niggly problems and still drive pretty well.
What about an R53 Mini One or Cooper - they are great to drive and look good?
Yaris or Jazz options make it look like you've borrowed your Mum's car!
Although they may be better for insurance as a result!
It all really depends on what your priorities are - good luck anyway!
What about an R53 Mini One or Cooper - they are great to drive and look good?
Yaris or Jazz options make it look like you've borrowed your Mum's car!
Although they may be better for insurance as a result!It all really depends on what your priorities are - good luck anyway!
Cheers Tidy! I think that's what bugged me about driving the Yaris - I just felt like a bit of a nan. Seat Leon is an interesting shout, I've not looked at them before. There's a nice looking one here that's not too far away. Insurance is the cheapest I've been quoted too, though mileage is higher than I've been looking at.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I'm looking for 5 doors for transporting family around the countryside sometimes, but ideally something a bit nippy for when I'm on my own driving up to Manchester. Focus seems sensible, Leon is more exciting though!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I'm looking for 5 doors for transporting family around the countryside sometimes, but ideally something a bit nippy for when I'm on my own driving up to Manchester. Focus seems sensible, Leon is more exciting though!
Have to disagree with Tidy on this one VAG's of this era also had problems with coil packs etc, The Focus is pretty much bulletproof & has the bonus of being the best steer.
Focus Titanium
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Megane Privilege
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Volvo C30
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Honda Civic Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Golf Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Focus Titanium
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Megane Privilege
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Volvo C30
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Honda Civic Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Golf Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Fair enough ZX10, but my sister had an 02 plate Focus for 10 years and had no end of niggly problems with warning lights and sensor issues whereas my nephew had a 53 plate Leon for 10 years with no such problems (or coil pack issues)! Well, only the door seal problems that afflicted them!
The Leon Cupra I had from 2003 to 2005 didn't mis-behave while I had it either!
I currently have a 325ti Sport which is fantastic, and although in budget is probably not an option for the OP given it is his first car as insurance may be a problem; a 318ti might work though (try to find a Sport model as the seats are so much better)!
The Leon Cupra I had from 2003 to 2005 didn't mis-behave while I had it either!
I currently have a 325ti Sport which is fantastic, and although in budget is probably not an option for the OP given it is his first car as insurance may be a problem; a 318ti might work though (try to find a Sport model as the seats are so much better)!
The Swift is a good choice if you can live with the size (they have a good sized cabin in fairness), they are alright to drive even in the 1.5 form, cheap to run, reliable, well built and it shouldn't cost the earth to repair if it does die on you.
See if the older 1.6 Sport is in budget, my girlfriend had one of the newer ones (12 plate), apart from the slightly too high driving position it was a great little car.
See if the older 1.6 Sport is in budget, my girlfriend had one of the newer ones (12 plate), apart from the slightly too high driving position it was a great little car.
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