What (family!) car for a new driver, that's still PH?
Discussion
As stated in the title.
I myself am starting to see more reasonable insurance premiums these days, enough to make some interesting metal more within reach (though still not great). But the problem is that my wife is just about to pass her test and so the overall insurance cost is going downhill again
I'm thinking about chopping in the Vectra we have at the moment in favour of something that would be more welcome at a meet-up or on a Sunday morning PH run out! I know the tradition is to suggest running a snotter for a few years until some NCB is built up, or having a toy car for the weekends - I have a project car that's more suitable but it's still going to be off the road for a year or so and I miss going out with other car folk
Something I've yet to find an answer to is what car, if any, is still PH-ey - yet not too harsh on insurance premiums. We've got two sprogs and the associated enormous pram so small hatches won't really work.
Here's a little list of some ideas I've had, and why they won't work...
1. Small "warm hatch" - Classic Mini, Cinquecento Sporting etc. I've seen they've had an OK reception on here if not glowing. Used to have one before sprog 2 came along but would be too small these days as said above.
2. Puma? Would love one but possibly too small in the back/boot, also insurance even on the small engined ones is still a little prohibitive.
3. "Classic" barge of some sort - Old 3/5 series, etc. Insurance is still harsh, and can't go for the angle of using classic car insurance as they demand that it is not your main car.
4. Kit car - similar problem to the classic car - probably unsuitable for a family car anyway.
5. Alfa 156, BMW E36, etc - nice enough cars but only the absolute base engine cars are going to be within grasp and nothing with any interesting aspect to them.
I'm starting to draw a blank by this point - it doesn't have to be fast (I'm more than used to slow by now...) but it does have to be INTERESTING, and that's what I'm struggling with.
I wonder if anybody has any insight that I've missed?
I myself am starting to see more reasonable insurance premiums these days, enough to make some interesting metal more within reach (though still not great). But the problem is that my wife is just about to pass her test and so the overall insurance cost is going downhill again
I'm thinking about chopping in the Vectra we have at the moment in favour of something that would be more welcome at a meet-up or on a Sunday morning PH run out! I know the tradition is to suggest running a snotter for a few years until some NCB is built up, or having a toy car for the weekends - I have a project car that's more suitable but it's still going to be off the road for a year or so and I miss going out with other car folk
Something I've yet to find an answer to is what car, if any, is still PH-ey - yet not too harsh on insurance premiums. We've got two sprogs and the associated enormous pram so small hatches won't really work.
Here's a little list of some ideas I've had, and why they won't work...
1. Small "warm hatch" - Classic Mini, Cinquecento Sporting etc. I've seen they've had an OK reception on here if not glowing. Used to have one before sprog 2 came along but would be too small these days as said above.
2. Puma? Would love one but possibly too small in the back/boot, also insurance even on the small engined ones is still a little prohibitive.
3. "Classic" barge of some sort - Old 3/5 series, etc. Insurance is still harsh, and can't go for the angle of using classic car insurance as they demand that it is not your main car.
4. Kit car - similar problem to the classic car - probably unsuitable for a family car anyway.
5. Alfa 156, BMW E36, etc - nice enough cars but only the absolute base engine cars are going to be within grasp and nothing with any interesting aspect to them.
I'm starting to draw a blank by this point - it doesn't have to be fast (I'm more than used to slow by now...) but it does have to be INTERESTING, and that's what I'm struggling with.
I wonder if anybody has any insight that I've missed?
A friend of ours has an Astra Estate with a V6 engine in it and a "Irmscher"(sp?) bodykit. It is quite a nice subtle package with a decent engine, nice exhaust note (another Irmscher piece of kit I think), good leather interior and a vast boot to get all the stuff for their two young kids in.
It was provided by the dealer from new with these "extras" so believe the options are all from the official Vauxhall list. The engine has a nice torque delivery across the rev range and it is effectively a "sleeper" that can surprise the local Chavs when they are off their ASBO's and out to play.
I couldn't tell you what to search for on here or on Auto Trader but a bit of research might get you a few examples for sale if this sort of thing floats your boat.....especially as the Mrs should be happy to drive a Vauxhall estate
It was provided by the dealer from new with these "extras" so believe the options are all from the official Vauxhall list. The engine has a nice torque delivery across the rev range and it is effectively a "sleeper" that can surprise the local Chavs when they are off their ASBO's and out to play.
I couldn't tell you what to search for on here or on Auto Trader but a bit of research might get you a few examples for sale if this sort of thing floats your boat.....especially as the Mrs should be happy to drive a Vauxhall estate
Grey Ghost said:
A friend of ours has an Astra Estate with a V6 engine
It was provided by the dealer from new with these "extras"
No, he hasn't. Vauxhall don't, haven't and never will fit a V6 engine to an Astra. He's got a kitted Astra that someone has slapped a V6 in to, assuming it is a V6 at all.It was provided by the dealer from new with these "extras"
Good suggestion on the MG - I've had that in the back of my mind, too. Thanks!
Re the Astra/Vectra V6 - I quite like our current Vectra and would be pretty happy with a punchier version of the same - but every time it's been mentioned on PH it is met with derision It's not the best dynamically but it carries all our stuff and looks OK too, in my opinion.
The Mrs has asked me to state that she, too, wants it to be an interesting car, so it's not just me taking credit for it
Re the Astra/Vectra V6 - I quite like our current Vectra and would be pretty happy with a punchier version of the same - but every time it's been mentioned on PH it is met with derision
It's not the best dynamically but it carries all our stuff and looks OK too, in my opinion.The Mrs has asked me to state that she, too, wants it to be an interesting car, so it's not just me taking credit for it
I think a Focus will be the closest you'll get to a drivers car in your budget.
Admitted not the most exciting car of all time, but it does its bit as a family car well and it is a competent car in the twisties.
I'd recommend a 1.8 Zetec. I've had a 1.8 and currently have a 2.0. The 2.0 is faster, but I found the 1.8 to be more eager and free revving, also a dam-sight better on fuel.
Admitted not the most exciting car of all time, but it does its bit as a family car well and it is a competent car in the twisties.
I'd recommend a 1.8 Zetec. I've had a 1.8 and currently have a 2.0. The 2.0 is faster, but I found the 1.8 to be more eager and free revving, also a dam-sight better on fuel.
OwenK said:
...but every time it's been mentioned on PH it is met with derision ...
I wouldn't let that determine what you drive. They all spout BS on here about every czar that, even supercars, but look at the cars most of them drive - hell I drive a Jazz (well it's the wife's...!)I have been to some meets and never come across snobbery - Remember that people act differently in person compared with how they type on a forum!
And the ones with MX-5's have no family and friends so 2 seater is ok....
OwenK said:
As stated in the title.
I myself am starting to see more reasonable insurance premiums these days, enough to make some interesting metal more within reach (though still not great). But the problem is that my wife is just about to pass her test and so the overall insurance cost is going downhill again
I'm thinking about chopping in the Vectra we have at the moment in favour of something that would be more welcome at a meet-up or on a Sunday morning PH run out! I know the tradition is to suggest running a snotter for a few years until some NCB is built up, or having a toy car for the weekends - I have a project car that's more suitable but it's still going to be off the road for a year or so and I miss going out with other car folk
Something I've yet to find an answer to is what car, if any, is still PH-ey - yet not too harsh on insurance premiums. We've got two sprogs and the associated enormous pram so small hatches won't really work.
Here's a little list of some ideas I've had, and why they won't work...
1. Small "warm hatch" - Classic Mini, Cinquecento Sporting etc. I've seen they've had an OK reception on here if not glowing. Used to have one before sprog 2 came along but would be too small these days as said above.
2. Puma? Would love one but possibly too small in the back/boot, also insurance even on the small engined ones is still a little prohibitive.
3. "Classic" barge of some sort - Old 3/5 series, etc. Insurance is still harsh, and can't go for the angle of using classic car insurance as they demand that it is not your main car.
4. Kit car - similar problem to the classic car - probably unsuitable for a family car anyway.
5. Alfa 156, BMW E36, etc - nice enough cars but only the absolute base engine cars are going to be within grasp and nothing with any interesting aspect to them.
I'm starting to draw a blank by this point - it doesn't have to be fast (I'm more than used to slow by now...) but it does have to be INTERESTING, and that's what I'm struggling with.
I wonder if anybody has any insight that I've missed?
A few key points to clarify:I myself am starting to see more reasonable insurance premiums these days, enough to make some interesting metal more within reach (though still not great). But the problem is that my wife is just about to pass her test and so the overall insurance cost is going downhill again
I'm thinking about chopping in the Vectra we have at the moment in favour of something that would be more welcome at a meet-up or on a Sunday morning PH run out! I know the tradition is to suggest running a snotter for a few years until some NCB is built up, or having a toy car for the weekends - I have a project car that's more suitable but it's still going to be off the road for a year or so and I miss going out with other car folk
Something I've yet to find an answer to is what car, if any, is still PH-ey - yet not too harsh on insurance premiums. We've got two sprogs and the associated enormous pram so small hatches won't really work.
Here's a little list of some ideas I've had, and why they won't work...
1. Small "warm hatch" - Classic Mini, Cinquecento Sporting etc. I've seen they've had an OK reception on here if not glowing. Used to have one before sprog 2 came along but would be too small these days as said above.
2. Puma? Would love one but possibly too small in the back/boot, also insurance even on the small engined ones is still a little prohibitive.
3. "Classic" barge of some sort - Old 3/5 series, etc. Insurance is still harsh, and can't go for the angle of using classic car insurance as they demand that it is not your main car.
4. Kit car - similar problem to the classic car - probably unsuitable for a family car anyway.
5. Alfa 156, BMW E36, etc - nice enough cars but only the absolute base engine cars are going to be within grasp and nothing with any interesting aspect to them.
I'm starting to draw a blank by this point - it doesn't have to be fast (I'm more than used to slow by now...) but it does have to be INTERESTING, and that's what I'm struggling with.
I wonder if anybody has any insight that I've missed?
-budget
-how many miles a month and fuel costs (to est mpg)
-Do you mind tinkering with a car
-How open are you to modded cars?
And remember, if you want something beyond the norm, then unless budget isn't an issue, you normally have to make a compromise somewhere.
But there are lots of nice cars available, although I do understand that having 2 children may somewhat limit this a bit.
Not saying any of these are suitable, just throwing some ideas out there:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1850201.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1945123.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1904208.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1975307.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2037410.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2018398.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1913907.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1358877.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1973376.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2040578.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1756761.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2040481.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1951490.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1599432.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1845529.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1887166.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2050321.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2013022.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2018906.htm
Thanks for the suggestions, 300bhp - the Jags and the MGs appeal to me the most...
The problem is that the interesting versions of each model are the big-displacement engines which makes them pricier to insure. For example, a V6 Alfa 156 looks to be in the realm of £2000 to insure.
There is the option of having one of these cars for long trips or family outings (with me as the only driver, bringing the insurance down) and the Mrs having a small-engined runabout. But the runabout still has to be big enough for two kids and all their paraphenalia, and she's petrolhead-y enough to want it to be something interesting - which kind of makes it hard to justify the "big" car to be honest.
Hmmm...
The problem is that the interesting versions of each model are the big-displacement engines which makes them pricier to insure. For example, a V6 Alfa 156 looks to be in the realm of £2000 to insure.
There is the option of having one of these cars for long trips or family outings (with me as the only driver, bringing the insurance down) and the Mrs having a small-engined runabout. But the runabout still has to be big enough for two kids and all their paraphenalia, and she's petrolhead-y enough to want it to be something interesting - which kind of makes it hard to justify the "big" car to be honest.
Hmmm...
Ricky_M said:
I think a Focus will be the closest you'll get to a drivers car in your budget.
Admitted not the most exciting car of all time, but it does its bit as a family car well and it is a competent car in the twisties.
I'd recommend a 1.8 Zetec. I've had a 1.8 and currently have a 2.0. The 2.0 is faster, but I found the 1.8 to be more eager and free revving, also a dam-sight better on fuel.
Or for something more exciting there is the ST, mine is great and fits my 2 kids in with no problems. Has got a fair size boot too, worth considering?Admitted not the most exciting car of all time, but it does its bit as a family car well and it is a competent car in the twisties.
I'd recommend a 1.8 Zetec. I've had a 1.8 and currently have a 2.0. The 2.0 is faster, but I found the 1.8 to be more eager and free revving, also a dam-sight better on fuel.
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