What car for 20yr old.

[C2james]

Hey

I want to get a new car but fancy some ideas as I can't really decide what I really want, I feel that I've grown out of my C2 a little and want something a bit faster. I wouldn't mind a classic car but don't really know what to pick from, on the other hand I wouldn't mind nice comforts like air con and a cd player. My budget would have to be no more than £5k and the insurance can't be over £1500.

So really I would like some ideas from you guys about maybe some good classic cars but also some more modern things.

Thanks

[Redler]

Hi James, I was in a similar position when I turned 20. I went from a Fiesta Zetec S to an ST. Although it gets a lot of stick it is a good car, with most having atleast half leather seats and lots of optional extras.

Both of mine were utterly reliable and easy to live with. For £5000 I'm sure you could pick up a nice mk6.5 Zetec S and insure it for under £1500.

[McSam]

At 20 and with £1500 for insurance, you should be able to manage an E46 Coupé - balance how nice an example you want against how much power you want, and you can pick from the range, really

If it were me, I'd be firmly into 330Cis, something like this:

£3999

[sherman]

Have a look at the current deals on offer from the main dealers. I was in a similar position when I was your age and got a cracking deal of 2 years free insurance on a ford fiesta. It was only a 1.4 but they do have deals on some of the more sporty models as well.

[Fox-]

Dont venture into the world of cheap BMW's unless you really want one or the costs of keeping them going will soon begin to annoy you. It's easy to justify if you are an enthusiast of the brand, not so much if you just want a half decent car.

[McSam]

Fox- said:

Dont venture into the world of cheap BMW's unless you really want one or the costs of keeping them going will soon begin to annoy you. It's easy to justify if you are an enthusiast of the brand, not so much if you just want a half decent car.

Damn you, I suggested that because that's what I plan on doing next year in almost exactly the same situation...

[C2james]

Thanks guys, I'm not really interested in a BMW and I know they could be expensive when they go wrong. The insurance on my C2 runs out next month and I turn 20 in April so if I do sell it, it will be fairly soon.

[TJPM]

I don't know your personal circumstances, but consider how much money you have to run the car over the course of a year. The idea of a classic is lovely but can you be bothered with the hassle and potential cost if it has any issues? I remember being in your situation 10 years ago and I went for something unusual rather than the obvious marques, because it gave me all the things you're after - performance, nice mod cons but also - some readers will laugh now, reliability.....it was a Fiat Marea 2.0 HLX. I'm not suggesting this now but at the time it was a bargain for what it offered, it was 3 years old, 40k miles, alloys, elec everything, 150 bhp etc. Happy hunting!

[al1991]

Redler said:

Hi James, I was in a similar position when I turned 20. I went from a Fiesta Zetec S to an ST. Although it gets a lot of stick it is a good car, with most having atleast half leather seats and lots of optional extras.

Both of mine were utterly reliable and easy to live with. For £5000 I'm sure you could pick up a nice mk6.5 Zetec S and insure it for under £1500.

+1 for the ST.

[plfrench]

How about an RX8. They're amazing value because of running costs, but if you don't do a huge amount of mileage, might be worth a look. 2006 with less than 36k on the clock from a Nissan main dealer - bargain! In a lovely blue too... all with a sticker price of £4199:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Edited by plfrench on Saturday 21st January 16:51

[C2james]

I wouldnt mind an RX8 but every time I go to get an insurance quote online it says that it has a 2.6L rather that a 1.3 which is annoying.

[Gooly]

If you could get it insured (probably quite a big "if" there) then maybe go for a jap turbo? 200SXs and R33 GTS-Ts are pretty cheap right now.

[C2james]

Gooly said:

If you could get it insured (probably quite a big "if" there) then maybe go for a jap turbo? 200SXs and R33 GTS-Ts are pretty cheap right now.

Just did a quote on a 200sx and it was £2600 so sadly no.

[EDLT]

C2james said:

I wouldnt mind an RX8 but every time I go to get an insurance quote online it says that it has a 2.6L rather that a 1.3 which is annoying.

Why would that matter?

[C2james]

EDLT said:

Why would that matter?

Well ok it's not that annoying but surely it would be giving be a more expensive quote if it thinks the engine is bigger? Or am I being stupid?

[wackojacko]

Buy my Volvo !

As discussed the other night, I reckon you'd be good for a C2 VTS, well under budget and decent insurance group.

Clio 172 ?
MK2 Escort ?
Focus ST170 ?
Fiat Panda 100hp ? (would be my cheap insurance pick)
MX5 ?
205 GTI ?
Ibiza Cupra ?
MR2 ?

[james_gt3rs]

MX5? The mk2 has air con and the like (I think).

[wackojacko]

EDLT said:

C2james said:

I wouldnt mind an RX8 but every time I go to get an insurance quote online it says that it has a 2.6L rather that a 1.3 which is annoying.

Why would that matter?

Don't ! They're fking st !

[EDLT]

C2james said:

EDLT said:

Why would that matter?

Well ok it's not that annoying but surely it would be giving be a more expensive quote if it thinks the engine is bigger? Or am I being stupid?

You are being stupid. There is far more to working out an insurance premium that engine size, also insurance companies are aware that despite what Mazda say about the size of the engine it still makes 190 or 230hp.

[wackojacko]

S3 ?


P.s : Clio fell through so I'm now possibly buying my neighbours S3 (Black with cream leather and Bose stereo) sort of early 19th birthday present to myself