First Car Advice (20)

[Revorocks]

Hi,

First of all this is my first post on here, so I'd like to introduce myself.

My names Mark, I'm living in Hove and currently working for Legal & General while all my mates have gone on the bandwagon to University.
I decided to go for the apprenticeship route, hoping to get one with Virgin Atlantic in Aircraft Maintenance engineering. Next enrollment is in September, so going to be working till them.

I'm looking at getting a car.

I've waited a while as being young, the insurance was rediculous.
Had a full UK licence for 2 years since October so premiums are finally affordable.
I have around £3000-£3500 budgeted for car and insurance.

Been looking around and have got a keen interest in a MK4 Golf 1.9 TDI (114k miles).
Had a read about and found out some of the problems, ie certain engines being poo, others too slow, others with cam shaft problems, and the car generally has problems with the electric windows and anti-rollbars?

So, apart from a Golf, what other cars would you guys suggest?

I don't really want a typical 1.1 Citroen Saxo or Peugeot 106, something a little more poke, and a bit more solid and respectable.
My friend drives a Corsa 1.7 CDTI, so quite a solid car but a little out of my budget really.
Ideally, it has to be better than his :P

Thanks!

[lunchbox]

Searching the forum will give you a plethora of threads about this, but my opinion is that the 1.1 petrol saxo/106 are a great shout, unfortunately (for you). Cheap to buy and insure, fun to drive. A diesel golf/corsa is a bit dull IMHO.

[danjama]

How does a member of pistonheads become interested in a Diesel Golf as their first car?

[kambites]

In the same position as you (albeit 12 years ago) I bought an MGB roadster.

[Ki3r]

One bit of advice. Check insurance prices before you buy the car.

[Codswallop]

Must it be a diesel?

If not, Fiesta Zetec S is a great handling wee car. Also have a look at the Ford Puma - a very fun steer according to many.

Other driver's choice and PH cliche - Mazda MX5, although you might just about be able to find a good Toyota MR2 mk3 for your budget - these are superb (unless you have a young family, you may as well get a 2 seat sportscar while you're young and care free). MG F/TF also worth a look, and great value these days.

[Revorocks]

It does not HAVE to be a diesel no...
I just thought they were generally more reliable and a bit more economical.

I'm open to ideas!

Like I said though, budget of 3.5k max for car and insurance so Toyota MR2's are out of the question. £2.5-3k for insurance alone on that...


edit: Actually, just got some quotes on this MR2 http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

£2300 TPFT, not too bad really. Lower than I expected.

I'll look at some MX-5's

Edited by Revorocks on Tuesday 20th November 23:25

[Raize]

You can have solid and respectable, or you can have fast. If you want both, you pay huge insurance.

[folos]

Clio 182/172?! I had a 197 last year at 20 and paid 1200 on insurance. Cracking cars :-)

Edited by folos on Tuesday 20th November 23:31

[anonymous-user]

If you want reliable, don't get a Golf with 117k miles.

Get something petrol powered, revvy and fun.

This is ideal money for a Renaultsport Clio I'd also look at some kind of E36 3 series.

[danjama]

Revorocks said:

It does not HAVE to be a diesel no...
I just thought they were generally more reliable and a bit more economical.

I'm open to ideas!

Like I said though, budget of 3.5k max for car and insurance so Toyota MR2's are out of the question. £2.5-3k for insurance alone on that...


edit: Actually, just got some quotes on this MR2 http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

£2300 TPFT, not too bad really. Lower than I expected.

I'll look at some MX-5's

Edited by Revorocks on Tuesday 20th November 23:25

Make sure you at least get a quote for fully comp, was often significantly cheaper than TPFT for me.

[Revorocks]

Funny you mention the Clio 172 and 182's, I was just looking at those. Insurance is £2800 TPFT, gonna look at fully comp now.

[anonymous-user]

Revorocks said:

Funny you mention the Clio 172 and 182's, I was just looking at those. Insurance is £2800 TPFT, gonna look at fully comp now.

I'd bet you £2800 that fully comp is cheaper.

[Revorocks]

RenOHH said:

I'd bet you £2800 that fully comp is cheaper.

It wasn't

£3037 fully comp
£2817 TPFT

That's for a Clio 172

For the MR2 however...

£2297 TPFT
£2270 fully comp

Edited by Revorocks on Tuesday 20th November 23:52

[anonymous-user]

Revorocks said:

RenOHH said:

I'd bet you £2800 that fully comp is cheaper.

It wasn't

£3037 fully comp
£2817 TPFT

That's for a Clio 172

Woops

Jesus that's a lot. No one would insure me on mine until I was 21 mind you. It was £580 last year @ 23. Feel sorry for the young drivers, I missed this madness by a couple of years.

[Polariz]

Try a kit car! My first car was a GTM Coupe and it was a real unreliable bugger. But it tought me a lot about cars through fettling.

The good bit though (Conscious that I'm not really selling my idea here!) is that it was only £550 to insure (1.2L Mini A Series Engine) when compared to a 1.2L FIAT Punto which was incredibly slow (In comparison) and insurance was weighing in at around £1200.

Just a thought...

[HustleRussell]

Diesel engines being more reliable than petrol ones is a popular myth these days. It was probably the case in the 80s and early 90s but since then the trend has been slowly reversing. A normally aspirated petrol is almost always cheaper to fix too.
Don't turn your nose up at little French hatches, there's a reason they're so popular- light, simple, fun and cheap.

[Polariz]

Footman James insured it, by the way.

[chongwong]

Try a classic car on standard insurance, i have no NCB, 3 points and a bump, all be it the bump and points were over 3 years ago now, i'd just never thought to keep a policy for an entire year, and kept cancelling them due to being a poor student..... anyhoo, i pay £800 on a 2006 1.2 Micra, a 1500 Triumph Spitfire would set me back just £500 per year, less in a few months when i get my first set of NCB, and my points go away (TS10).
However if you're not so fussed about amassing NCB, try waiting till 21 and then getting a classic policy, as i've heard that they are cheaper than practically anything else.
HTH

[C2james]

i will sell you my C2 next year if you want, will be a lot cheaper to insure.