First Car suggestions - with a twist!

[matzie]

Morning all... so, a couple of days ago, I passed my test first time :-) However for lots of boring and irrelevant reasons (mostly a string of business failures followed by one reasonably successful one, but that's all you need) I've not got around to this for a very long time... in fact I'm 38! I've been driving on a provisional since I was 17, had some lessons then but ran out of money, kept up an hour or so a month through my twenties but only seriously started learning a year ago, and had a relatively high amount of paid lessons in that time, probably 100 hours +, (in a peugeot 207, 1.2) before taking the test on Friday.

This means I'm in an unusual situation for a new driver - I can afford to buy and insure almost any car I want. But I'm also old enough to know that I've got a lot more learning to do before I'll be safe on the road in something really fast.

So... I'm looking initially to spend £3k on something that's going to be fun to drive without being stupid. I've no ego to protect so cars that aren't traditionally 'macho' are fine. I don't need a particularly practical car either as we have an MPV (2.2 Zafira which I've loved driving while learning) for the family - this car is pretty much just for me. At the moment I'm working regularly at a client site about 70 miles away (50 motorway/10 town / 10 country). I've always fancied an MX5 and aspired to an S2000 (I know not perfect, just cars I've always liked the look of) but although I could actually afford to go for any of those today, or pretty much anything else in the frame at that price (and I've checked insurance quotes already) I know that would be silly without further solo driving experience. So... I've been thinking of a Puma. I've heard they're noisy on the motorway but I don't mind that. Interested to hear your thoughts and suggestions! I'm also happy to go through a few different cars for the next few years, say six months at a time, but I want to work my way up to serious PH material :-)

Thanks!

[eltax91]

Mx5 isn't really powerful enough to cause you any problems, even as a first time driver. My wife passed her test later than most (early 20's still), and went into an mx5, she's no petrol head and just drove it, she didn't die, nor did she crash it.

I have one as a toy now, and can honestly say its so progressive on the limit it's unlikely to catch you out, especially as you sound sensible and don't think you are a driving god!!

Right time of year to get a bargain on one too!

[RocketScience]

Passed first time after just 21 years of lessons. Nice work!

Honestly though, a 1.6 MX-5 might be a good start for you, especially if you have fancied having one. Insurance can't be that bad, can it?

[jimbop1]

My first bike was a 600cc sports bike... It's up to you not to rag it out of your control. Therefor get any car you want and don't worry about the power. That's just my opinion of course.

[J4CKO]

Dont think an S2000 is an ideal first car for anyone, but like has been said, if you are sensible it shouldn't be a problem.

[EmmaJ]

Flatmate passed his test at 38 (2nd time) and after 6 months go himself an RX8 he hasn't killed or seriously injured himself or anybody else yet. Though he's dented and scrapped a couple of parked cars including my Monaro

[Geekman]

As long as you don't drive like a lunatic you'll be fine in pretty much any car. The S2000 does have a bit of a reputation for catching people out, so if you're worried about that I'd probably go for an MX-5 or MR2. Both cars are a lot of fun to drive and aren't fast or unpredictable enough to get you into trouble.

I don't see any point in starting off in a corsa or micra just because you don't think you're a good enough driver - the fact that you've already acknowledged your limitations suggests you won't be too cocky behind the wheel, which is what usually results in the "young driver going backwards through hedge" situation

[1ians]

No reason why you shouldn't jump straight into a S2000. If you're worried get a later one with ESP and make sure it's running decent rubber on the rear. You could take some car control training if you're worried.

Alternatively you could get something like a Panda 100hp or a Yaris T sport if you'd like to get some experience in something small but fun.

[davepoth]

As was said above, don't worry too much about a powerful car - you're old enough to be aware of what's going to go wrong. Buy what you want and enjoy it.

[matzie]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I was about to pull the trigger on an MX5 when SWMBO said, "but what if you need to take two or more" (of our four) "kids out at the same time, and I'm using the Zafira?" :-( but a good point and meant I was back to looking for a four-seater. (the chance of me taking all four kids out alone is almost nil, and their ages mean that two small rear seats are ok). Looks like I'm still a few years away from that two-seater...

So after that I spent a long time convincing myself my pockets were deep enough for the potential maintenance hell of an RX8, and they are, but still that's a lot of car for a new driver and the risk of flooding amplified by my lack of experience, meant that I eventually - reluctantly - talked myself out of that - for now.

I had a look at a few other four seat options... had a think about a Celica, and also a Hyundai Coupe... and niggling thoughts of picking up a super-cheap Puma. I'm torn between those last two at the moment...

[eltax91]

Why not go crazy and look at the GT-86 then? Sure it's new and not anywhere near your budget, but I'd bet it can be had for a similar overall cost per month as the utterly ruinous RX8!!

Assuming you'll keep it forever then the cost overall isn't as bad as you might imagine.

[Snowboy]

It sounds like you want a soft top.
£3k might get you an older a4 or 3series bmw without a roof.

Or maybe a VW.

[LuS1fer]

I still wouldn't bleed on insurance. I'm 54 and have a Fiesta ST Mk 6 and that is quite cheap to insure, has 4 seats and does eveything I want. The thing about powerful cars is that the throttle has an infinite range, not just on and off.

[Grimezy93]

What about an older BMW 3 Series Coupe? I've been looking at them and for £3k you can get a lot of car.

You'd probably get an 03/04 with decent miles in your budget and if you're not confident in your ability yet the smaller engined ones won't be too rapid. I'm looking at 98/99 ones with 6 cylinder engines for about £1.5-2k 4 seats too! Albeit not very big rear seats..