First car again - what would you drive?
Discussion
Remember back to being 17? Not sure why but i really wanted a black Fiat Punto! No idea why.
I was 17 in 1999/2000 and had my eye on a black 1997 R reg one, but insurance restricted me. Eventually, when starting work at 18, bought an 18 month old W reg 2000 Peugeot 106 1.1 Zest2 in white.
However, on reflection. Would've loved one of the following:
- An old Mini - classic insurance
- An old Beetle - definately classic insurance
- A Lupo - not sure why, just thought they looked good
- A Mk 1 Golf - again, classic insurance.
Thinking back, got a hankering for a late 70s early 80s Japanese box, and just not practical now with 3 kids and 30k a year - but back then that would've potentially been very retro cool!
I was 17 in 1999/2000 and had my eye on a black 1997 R reg one, but insurance restricted me. Eventually, when starting work at 18, bought an 18 month old W reg 2000 Peugeot 106 1.1 Zest2 in white.
However, on reflection. Would've loved one of the following:
- An old Mini - classic insurance
- An old Beetle - definately classic insurance
- A Lupo - not sure why, just thought they looked good
- A Mk 1 Golf - again, classic insurance.
Thinking back, got a hankering for a late 70s early 80s Japanese box, and just not practical now with 3 kids and 30k a year - but back then that would've potentially been very retro cool!
You mean what would we buy if we were 17 now, or what would we buy if we could go back to when we were 17?
If the latter, then probably something very similar to what I did buy - an MGB Roadster (although I didn't get a car until I left university at 20). If the former I don't know because it seems much harder for young drivers to get classic insurance these days.
If the latter, then probably something very similar to what I did buy - an MGB Roadster (although I didn't get a car until I left university at 20). If the former I don't know because it seems much harder for young drivers to get classic insurance these days.
te cars. What I should have done is go back to education, finished a degree in engineering and then bought a Boxster.
When I was 17 there was no internet at home and no Pistonheads - 1997.
Thus I made a big mistake and overlooked the MX5.
I vaguely remember like an RS Orion in REVS magazine and my mate had a Renault 19 TXE (lowered and alloys) followed by a Honda CRX - both quite aspirational at the time.
Thus I made a big mistake and overlooked the MX5.
I vaguely remember like an RS Orion in REVS magazine and my mate had a Renault 19 TXE (lowered and alloys) followed by a Honda CRX - both quite aspirational at the time.
I would have got a small roadster of some sort (1.6 MX5, MGF/TF or Mk3 Mr2). Why oh why did I not even think to buy a roadster when I was 17? And why, as a 17 year old did I only want a crummy commuter hatchback bodied car?
I blame the fact that I was into Max Power at the time as the reason for being so mis-guided and un-original in choosing a Honda Civic as my first vehicle
I blame the fact that I was into Max Power at the time as the reason for being so mis-guided and un-original in choosing a Honda Civic as my first vehicle
I didn't need a car when I got my license. Parents had three cars between them and I have lift to work sorted.
I did, however, really fancy an Alfetta GTV, and it was affordable, so I got one. I don't think young driver insurance in SA was as extortionate as it is in the UK so that had no influence on my choice (I went on my parents' policy anyway).
I had exactly the car I wanted, and if I could go back and do it again I'd make the same choice.
I did, however, really fancy an Alfetta GTV, and it was affordable, so I got one. I don't think young driver insurance in SA was as extortionate as it is in the UK so that had no influence on my choice (I went on my parents' policy anyway).
I had exactly the car I wanted, and if I could go back and do it again I'd make the same choice.
When I was 17 I was giving my granpas Morris Minor Traveller. It was only 14 when I got. Loved it though as it was a car, and that was all that mattered. Only had it a few months before I got myself a Canary Yellow 1.1 Escort. Loved that to bits and was what I wanted so was lucky.Wish I still had it now 
. If I was 17 now I wouldn't have a clue.
. If I was 17 now I wouldn't have a clue.I passed my test in 1992, but didn't buy a car until 2000. I should have bought a Mini in 92 when I lived at home, and learned to take it apart and put it back together. Or done my CBT and got a 125.
When I bought my first car in 2000 I got a Rover 214 which was OK, but I wish I had got a Mk.2 Golf GTI or maybe a Saab 900 turbo (although insurance was bad enough on the Rover even at 25).
If I was 17 now, I would be looking at kit cars, no question.
When I bought my first car in 2000 I got a Rover 214 which was OK, but I wish I had got a Mk.2 Golf GTI or maybe a Saab 900 turbo (although insurance was bad enough on the Rover even at 25).
If I was 17 now, I would be looking at kit cars, no question.
I was fortunate enough to be gifted a mk4 Escort 1.3L Bonus for my 17th so didn't actually have to splash out, but even now I wouldn't have wanted anything different back then. Taught me a lot about coaxing the most out of that gutless lump using the 4spd 'box, and also how to live with a car with various levels of functioning sensors. 
If I were driving now, I think I'd probably go for a mk1 Focus. Good cars for a beginner IMHO.
If I were driving now, I think I'd probably go for a mk1 Focus. Good cars for a beginner IMHO.
At 17, all I wanted was a Honda CB175 or Suzuki GT185 motorcycle to replace my moped and wasn't even greedy about wanting a 250 as they were beyond my pocket though I drooled over KH250 triples.
So I wasn't that bothered about cars at 17 but insurance and cost were issues. I would have liked my father's Mk II Cortina GT but it was a no go and I got a Corsair 1700V4 before that obviously got sidelined before I really got my hands opn it and I chose an Austin A40 and bever regretted it. No point saying what I would have wanted as I was going to uni so had no money. the cars I did want I eventually bought later, sometimes in dog-rough form, just to tick the box but the Jag Mk II passed me by.
Nowadays, it would have to be classis as I don't like any modern cars. The last car I liked that would fit the bill would be the original Fiat Punto.
So I wasn't that bothered about cars at 17 but insurance and cost were issues. I would have liked my father's Mk II Cortina GT but it was a no go and I got a Corsair 1700V4 before that obviously got sidelined before I really got my hands opn it and I chose an Austin A40 and bever regretted it. No point saying what I would have wanted as I was going to uni so had no money. the cars I did want I eventually bought later, sometimes in dog-rough form, just to tick the box but the Jag Mk II passed me by.
Nowadays, it would have to be classis as I don't like any modern cars. The last car I liked that would fit the bill would be the original Fiat Punto.
I went through two 1.1 saxos (desire) during the first few years of driving! Loved those little cars, and woudn't replace them with anything.
First one smashed it into someone else when I wasn't looking where I was going, wrote it off! Then got caught racing in the second in an industrial estate. A year later I went and got my (now ex) girlfriend pregnant when all the fun started in that little car! Oh the memories
I now have an awesome 2 year old dughter (who is scared of shadows - ''Giants''), a very good job and can really look back, count my lucky stars and laugh!
First one smashed it into someone else when I wasn't looking where I was going, wrote it off! Then got caught racing in the second in an industrial estate. A year later I went and got my (now ex) girlfriend pregnant when all the fun started in that little car! Oh the memories
I now have an awesome 2 year old dughter (who is scared of shadows - ''Giants''), a very good job and can really look back, count my lucky stars and laugh!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff