What's a good first car??
Discussion
My daugter, who, judging by what you've written, is slightly younger than you, whizzes around in her Toyota Yaris. She loves it. Possibly because it's her first car and all that goes with having a first car is a good thing, however, I must admit to not disliking it when I have reason to grab the keys.
But it's a reliable and safe little vehicle, has room for her mates in the back (although performance from the 67bhp engine is blunted by the weight of extra passengers!) it's cheap to run, but like all cars driven by teenagers is expensive to insure. Budget £2k pa for a new driver, although as you're a touch older I'd expect the cost to be slightly less.
Sorry to sound all sensible and dull, but I'd suggest keeping clear of anything with 'sporty' connotations for a while until you've had a year or two of independent driving experience, simply for he sake of your wallet and the local hedgerow.
But it's a reliable and safe little vehicle, has room for her mates in the back (although performance from the 67bhp engine is blunted by the weight of extra passengers!) it's cheap to run, but like all cars driven by teenagers is expensive to insure. Budget £2k pa for a new driver, although as you're a touch older I'd expect the cost to be slightly less.
Sorry to sound all sensible and dull, but I'd suggest keeping clear of anything with 'sporty' connotations for a while until you've had a year or two of independent driving experience, simply for he sake of your wallet and the local hedgerow.
MG CHRIS said:
Yazza54 said:
MG CHRIS said:
Thats a gtm libra am i right. Nice car like the look of kit cars looking at a quantum really cheap insurance on them.
Yeah I loved that car. Spend a year building it to be wiped off the road by some idiot 5 months after I finished it. Long as you buy a kit car that's well built, which is obviously all down to the individual who built it, then you should have no more trouble than any normal car.
Anyway.. err.. on topic... TBH for a first car, theres advice on here and there are lots of other 'What first car?' threads on PH so maybe do a search?
I think at the end of the day for a first car, sometimes you just have to think that the most affordable one out of the bunch you like is best (within reason of course) Don't spend a fortune on something you'll eventually want rid of when you can afford something better anyway. I saw my first car as a stepping stone really, few years no claims and you're laughing.
Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 19th June 13:38
Reliable: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2918954.htm
Spend a little more and you can get an early new shape. However no idea about insurance on them...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2906133.htm
Spend a little more and you can get an early new shape. However no idea about insurance on them...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2906133.htm
GKP said:
My daugter, who, judging by what you've written, is slightly younger than you, whizzes around in her Toyota Yaris. She loves it. Possibly because it's her first car and all that goes with having a first car is a good thing, however, I must admit to not disliking it when I have reason to grab the keys.
But it's a reliable and safe little vehicle, has room for her mates in the back (although performance from the 67bhp engine is blunted by the weight of extra passengers!) it's cheap to run, but like all cars driven by teenagers is expensive to insure. Budget £2k pa for a new driver, although as you're a touch older I'd expect the cost to be slightly less.
Sorry to sound all sensible and dull, but I'd suggest keeping clear of anything with 'sporty' connotations for a while until you've had a year or two of independent driving experience, simply for he sake of your wallet and the local hedgerow.
Ha yes well there's a good point. My friend has a Toyota Yaris and I really like it but was put off when she took 4 of us out and she had her foot the whole way down and it felt like we were doing 30mph it was so frustrating. Maybe I should see what its like with just me. But it's a reliable and safe little vehicle, has room for her mates in the back (although performance from the 67bhp engine is blunted by the weight of extra passengers!) it's cheap to run, but like all cars driven by teenagers is expensive to insure. Budget £2k pa for a new driver, although as you're a touch older I'd expect the cost to be slightly less.
Sorry to sound all sensible and dull, but I'd suggest keeping clear of anything with 'sporty' connotations for a while until you've had a year or two of independent driving experience, simply for he sake of your wallet and the local hedgerow.
I like Polo's but they always remind me of little wind-up toy cars :/ But if they are as reliable as people say and hold their value then its definitely in my top 3.
If I'm not going to get a convertible then I have to go with a sensible and/or economical car tbh. Does anyone know much about VW Beetles? I saw a blue one, 52 reg, cream leather interior which I LOVED but it's a 2L. I would love one if their reputation is good, they seem to hold their value really well. Otherwise a Ford Focus, Fiesta, Punto or Polo will have to be on the hatchback cards.
giggity said:
Reliable: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2918954.htm
Spend a little more and you can get an early new shape. However no idea about insurance on them...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2906133.htm
1.6 petrol Focuses are nasty, slow, asthmatic heaps of crap, though. The engine isn't up to hauling a car that size around. This is especially applicable to the MkII which is unbelievably lardy.Spend a little more and you can get an early new shape. However no idea about insurance on them...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2906133.htm
giggity said:
Reliable: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2918954.htm
Spend a little more and you can get an early new shape. However no idea about insurance on them...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2906133.htm
I like those! Is mileage a big issue? I've been searching cars with less than 60,000 miles but how high is too high? Steer clear of over 100,000 miles? Spend a little more and you can get an early new shape. However no idea about insurance on them...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2906133.htm
Maybe I should start a new topic of which car out of a Focus/Fiesta/Golf/Polo/ any other reliable car.
So frustrating... Too much choice!
To be frank (sorry Ellie) you can forget pretty much everything you suggested, on the basis of cost of insurance or the cost of initial purchase. Most of the models you mentioned are only available 1.6l upwards. There is some bad advice on this thread from people who probably haven't looked at how much insurance for young people costs these days.
Those that have suggested yaris, ka 1.3 etc and recommend you get insurance quotes are on the money.
However I sympathise with the fact you want something different- so we must think outside the box. For instance, take a look at the Nissan Figaro. Based on the 'bubble' micra, with a 1.0 turbo and an auto 'box. It's an appreciating classic which means it's interesting, qualifies for affordable insurance and due to its lineage it's also reliable and usable. I think you'd love it ;-)
Those that have suggested yaris, ka 1.3 etc and recommend you get insurance quotes are on the money.
However I sympathise with the fact you want something different- so we must think outside the box. For instance, take a look at the Nissan Figaro. Based on the 'bubble' micra, with a 1.0 turbo and an auto 'box. It's an appreciating classic which means it's interesting, qualifies for affordable insurance and due to its lineage it's also reliable and usable. I think you'd love it ;-)
MG CHRIS said:
What about kia picanto or similar you get 7 years warranty so get a 55-06 and you will have 2-3 years of warranty left. If not suzuki swift nice cars not many problems on them. I wouldn;t suggest a 2 litre bettle will be thristy on petrol compared to polo, swift that sort of car.
Even on used ones? 
Focus can be done, mate had hers insured in high risk East London postcode for £1,600 - aged 20.
Look at some ad's of cars you like, get the REG No's and use them to get some quotes done, that will get you a better idea of insurance costs and help you compile a shortlist of cars, then go from there.
Look at some ad's of cars you like, get the REG No's and use them to get some quotes done, that will get you a better idea of insurance costs and help you compile a shortlist of cars, then go from there.
Edited by giggity on Sunday 19th June 14:04
Classic Grad 98 said:
For instance, take a look at the Nissan Figaro. Based on the 'bubble' micra, with a 1.0 turbo and an auto 'box. It's an appreciating classic which means it's interesting, qualifies for affordable insurance and due to its lineage it's also reliable and usable. I think you'd love it ;-)
Based on the K10, I believe.And not at all affordable to insure, as they're an import, so your choice of insurers is very limited as a young driver.
LEG13 said:
MG CHRIS said:
What about kia picanto or similar you get 7 years warranty so get a 55-06 and you will have 2-3 years of warranty left. If not suzuki swift nice cars not many problems on them. I wouldn;t suggest a 2 litre bettle will be thristy on petrol compared to polo, swift that sort of car.
Even on used ones? Classic Grad 98 said:
To be frank (sorry Ellie) you can forget pretty much everything you suggested, on the basis of cost of insurance or the cost of initial purchase. Most of the models you mentioned are only available 1.6l upwards. There is some bad advice on this thread from people who probably haven't looked at how much insurance for young people costs these days.
Those that have suggested yaris, ka 1.3 etc and recommend you get insurance quotes are on the money.
However I sympathise with the fact you want something different- so we must think outside the box. For instance, take a look at the Nissan Figaro. Based on the 'bubble' micra, with a 1.0 turbo and an auto 'box. It's an appreciating classic which means it's interesting, qualifies for affordable insurance and due to its lineage it's also reliable and usable. I think you'd love it ;-)
I know I know Those that have suggested yaris, ka 1.3 etc and recommend you get insurance quotes are on the money.
However I sympathise with the fact you want something different- so we must think outside the box. For instance, take a look at the Nissan Figaro. Based on the 'bubble' micra, with a 1.0 turbo and an auto 'box. It's an appreciating classic which means it's interesting, qualifies for affordable insurance and due to its lineage it's also reliable and usable. I think you'd love it ;-)
Its only insurance that is holding me back! The only things I Have going for me are my age, potentially 2 years no claims and Bangor has lower insurance for some reason, probably because it so small and mostly one way systems. As for that Nissan, I've never seen one of those before! I don't know if its really 'me' but it is pretty funky I'll give it that 
Classic Grad 98 said:
To be frank (sorry Ellie) you can forget pretty much everything you suggested, on the basis of cost of insurance or the cost of initial purchase. Most of the models you mentioned are only available 1.6l upwards. There is some bad advice on this thread from people who probably haven't looked at how much insurance for young people costs these days.
I wouldn't get so hung up on engine size, far more goes into working out premiums. I suggest going onto a comparison website and just getting quotes for anything that you like the look of.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff