How does a 19/20 year old find a decent car?
Discussion
Grimezy93 said:
I haven't looked in a huge amount of detail at them but earlier I was looking at a 06 plate hard top, the 1.8i engine with 137bhp or something. Insurance was coming in at £1300-£1400+ providing I paid it off all in one go. The monthly rates were extortionate. I haven't looked at many of the olders ones as I'm not keen on like the early 2000's model because of the headlights and I don't really want to go through the hassle of finding a solid frogeyes one. I could probably get a cheaper insurance quote if I really hunted around.
Has anybody tried those black box policies? I drive relatively sensibly and don't really go out late and stuff. I just don't want to feel restricted when the policies don't seem that much cheaper.
I assume you mean the 90-98 models with pop-up lights? You don't like the pop-up lights?Has anybody tried those black box policies? I drive relatively sensibly and don't really go out late and stuff. I just don't want to feel restricted when the policies don't seem that much cheaper.
Shame you're not interested really because you could get a nice one for under £2000, and the earlier ones seem to be cheaper to insure too. I absolutely love mine, such good fun, especially on country roads. Obviously if you don't want one that's fine, but just putting the suggestion out there.
Not sure how true this is but I was once advised that insurance quotes take into account the amount of your age group who have had accidents in the model of the car you are trying to insure... so don't rule out bigger or exotic cars.. as an example I had a BMW 330ci aged 21 (just) for about £800 insurance(all above board and in my name, always had own no claims since 17 etc)... now I'm nearing 23 and it's still cheaper to insure that than it is a 1.6 petrol golf! Go figure.
What about (and this is a serious suggestion) an MG ZR or ZS. Both come with a 1.6 engine, which for its size is very nippy indeed. You can get them with a few creature comforts too.
I know you'll be buying a slightly older car (05 reg would be the newest) but there are plenty of low mileage examples about.
If you get one that's been looked after, you'll love it. They do handle very well indeed - MG really knew what they were doing with that setup.
Obviously you'll get all the "MG / Rovers are unreliable" bamf from the uneducated, but they're no worse than any other car of that age. The standard head gaskets are weak, especially if the car has been allowed to overheat. If there are receipts for this being done - then happy days. If it's been done make sure the cambely & waterpump were renewed at the same time. But when you're paying <£800 for a car, you'll hopefully be able to fettle it a bit to make sure it's in excellent nick.
Good luck with your hunt
I know you'll be buying a slightly older car (05 reg would be the newest) but there are plenty of low mileage examples about.
If you get one that's been looked after, you'll love it. They do handle very well indeed - MG really knew what they were doing with that setup.
Obviously you'll get all the "MG / Rovers are unreliable" bamf from the uneducated, but they're no worse than any other car of that age. The standard head gaskets are weak, especially if the car has been allowed to overheat. If there are receipts for this being done - then happy days. If it's been done make sure the cambely & waterpump were renewed at the same time. But when you're paying <£800 for a car, you'll hopefully be able to fettle it a bit to make sure it's in excellent nick.
Good luck with your hunt
OP I have owned a large number of cars, check my garage, many (most) mediocre, with a few diamonds in the rough.....My advice is not very PH but here we go.....
If i could do my time again, and was in your position i would go small cheap and "disposable" for as long as possible earning a bit chunk of no claims, while stashing as much money as possible away for some time in the future (probably late 20's so maybe 5 years time for you) where upon i would buy something high end.....
I wasted so much money on cars over the last 15 years if i totted up all of what i spent to drive some pretty boring crud, I imagine, a.i would cry, and b.I could be driving something silly now.
If i could do my time again, and was in your position i would go small cheap and "disposable" for as long as possible earning a bit chunk of no claims, while stashing as much money as possible away for some time in the future (probably late 20's so maybe 5 years time for you) where upon i would buy something high end.....
I wasted so much money on cars over the last 15 years if i totted up all of what i spent to drive some pretty boring crud, I imagine, a.i would cry, and b.I could be driving something silly now.
Really suggest that you buy something cheap, light and fun. Wasting money (that you don't have) on anything else is folly and you'd probably regret it. You will be able to afford something else later. Others have already made plenty of suggestions and something like a Panda 100HP would be ideal (not 4WD by the way). Much more entertaining than a heavier underpowered car. Spend the money on maintaining it properly (although the Panda is very cheap to run) and also on some track days - a much better / enjoyable way of learning to drive fast.
Most people think the 60k miles is the sweet to find a car that it's in good condition at an affordable price. What they tend to miss is the fact that the cambelt should be changed at 60k on nearly all cars. Make sure you find a car with cambelt changed if you're looking at 60k+ miles.
As someone said above - sensible hat on...
Sounds like keeping your car another year would be your ideal solution. If you can save £4-500 a month that'll be £5k plus at the end of the year, another year's no claims and a clear decision if you're getting back into education or not.
Not always the easiest thing to do once you get something into your head but it's only an extra year which might open up some more interesting possibilities.
Sounds like keeping your car another year would be your ideal solution. If you can save £4-500 a month that'll be £5k plus at the end of the year, another year's no claims and a clear decision if you're getting back into education or not.
Not always the easiest thing to do once you get something into your head but it's only an extra year which might open up some more interesting possibilities.
I've been looking at insurance for next year and I'm quite tempted by an E46 BMW 318 Coupe. I know it wont be fast but it can't be any worse than the 1.4 Citroen C2 I have now or the 998 Mini I had before. You can get a nice 2004 16V facelift model with leather with less than 90,000 for under £4000. For me insurance seems to be around the £1000 with 2 years NCB.
I've also looked at Citroen C2 VTS's which seem to be quite cheap on insurance, around £700 for me and they're not too expensive to buy. BMW Mini Coopers aren't too bad insurance wise either and have pretty good handling.
I've also looked at Citroen C2 VTS's which seem to be quite cheap on insurance, around £700 for me and they're not too expensive to buy. BMW Mini Coopers aren't too bad insurance wise either and have pretty good handling.
I was in this position what I still believe is not that long ago and whilst I do appreciate you want a faster car, I don't think faster is necessarily better.
I have driven all sorts of stuff over the years and owned a number of interesting cars but I think you need to ask yourself what you actually want. Something that is fun to drive, fast, will impress the ladies, is new and shiny etc.
If it is pure fun that you are after and to hell with everything else and you truly enjoy the physical sensation of actually driving (and be very honest with yourself here) then if I were you, I would think something older. A Punto is a very average driver's car - however a cheaper, slower 1.1 litre 205 for instance would be far more exciting and interesting. I had one for a few years at your age and loved that thing - brilliant steering, handling, gearchange etc. All dynamic elements that would probably be better than any E46 or RX8.
In the same vein, the sorts of things I would consider are: Golf Mark 2 (perhaps a GTI), 106 Rallye, 205 GTI, 306, Puma, LR Defender etc. All rare and exciting but still modern enough to be relatively hassle free.
I think there is a chap on here who is 18 and paying circa £5k a year to insure an Insignia VXR. Everyone to their own etc. but at that age, my parents (and rightly so) would have gone ballistic at such a blatant waste of cash.
And besides, if I were 18 with what appeared to be a "crummy" old Pug, I would take a lot of satisfaction knowing that on a twisting B-road, I would be one having the first and last laugh.
I have driven all sorts of stuff over the years and owned a number of interesting cars but I think you need to ask yourself what you actually want. Something that is fun to drive, fast, will impress the ladies, is new and shiny etc.
If it is pure fun that you are after and to hell with everything else and you truly enjoy the physical sensation of actually driving (and be very honest with yourself here) then if I were you, I would think something older. A Punto is a very average driver's car - however a cheaper, slower 1.1 litre 205 for instance would be far more exciting and interesting. I had one for a few years at your age and loved that thing - brilliant steering, handling, gearchange etc. All dynamic elements that would probably be better than any E46 or RX8.
In the same vein, the sorts of things I would consider are: Golf Mark 2 (perhaps a GTI), 106 Rallye, 205 GTI, 306, Puma, LR Defender etc. All rare and exciting but still modern enough to be relatively hassle free.
I think there is a chap on here who is 18 and paying circa £5k a year to insure an Insignia VXR. Everyone to their own etc. but at that age, my parents (and rightly so) would have gone ballistic at such a blatant waste of cash.
And besides, if I were 18 with what appeared to be a "crummy" old Pug, I would take a lot of satisfaction knowing that on a twisting B-road, I would be one having the first and last laugh.
You guys have enlightened me a great deal so thank you for that! I think the aim then is to slog it out and save a bit of a dosh. Who knows, I might save up £5k and then realise I don't want to spend that much on a car and put it towards something else. I think I'll just have to wait and see what I do education-wise. At least then insurance might be cheaper. Or I suppose if I am desperate I could lower my standards and find something knocking about for a grand like an old mx-5. I just split with my girlfriend who lived 90 miles away so the motorway aspect of a car isn't as critical for the near future. I have friends down in bournemouth and up in york that I'd like to visit which are both good 3 hour journeys for me but I suppose I'd better hope my Punto can still handle it fine even if it isn't the greatest to drive or most comfortable. Plus I am getting a lot of mini scratches and stuff from driving down these country lanes so I wouldn't want anything too extravagant.
Thanks again guys, I'll look out for something cheap in the meantime and stop looking at cars that I should be owning in 10 years time instead of now!
Thanks again guys, I'll look out for something cheap in the meantime and stop looking at cars that I should be owning in 10 years time instead of now!
I'm 19 and have just bought a mk5 Golf GTI as a present to myself.
After working my balls off for two years and finally getting an apprenticeship I thought I was due an upgrade.
To be fair I got a cracking deal on insurance which I am very happy with, keep us posted on what you get.
Very interested to hear the outcome
After working my balls off for two years and finally getting an apprenticeship I thought I was due an upgrade.
To be fair I got a cracking deal on insurance which I am very happy with, keep us posted on what you get.
Very interested to hear the outcome
I'm 20 - bought and insured my mid-engined sports car (and track day slag) for under £2k. Ergo, no need for loan.
MR2 at Brands 5 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
MR2 at Brands 5 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Bit different but have you considered an older BMW? I got a E30 325i sport (lsd and other fancy stuff) when I was around 19/20, insurance was reasonable (800 fully comp) owned it over a year did 40k miles in it including a trip to the ring and the only thing that ever broke on it was a caliper bolt when I changed the brake pads... Wish I still had the thing only sold it as I needed something bigger.
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