First fun and enjoyable car options at 18?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm really struggling to settle on my first car, I've been driving for almost 6 months and I've been driving a 2013 116i M Sport (Obviously insurance can be a big joke.. So I decided to go on the BMW scheme where insurance is included)
My hope was to build up my no claims and gain some experience on the BMW scheme but my brother, who works for them has decided to go on the scheme instead of me so here I am having to decide what my first car will be.
My budget is around 5k for the car, with the insurance being under 2.5-3k.
I don't really care about speed, I only ever drive it from work and back and around town so I rarely go on the motorway or anything. I just want it to be fun and enjoyable to drive.
Could I possibly get some suggestions from some of you PHs?
Preferably, i'd like it to be:
FWD or RWD
Petrol
Manual
3dr
Thanks,
Danny
I'm really struggling to settle on my first car, I've been driving for almost 6 months and I've been driving a 2013 116i M Sport (Obviously insurance can be a big joke.. So I decided to go on the BMW scheme where insurance is included)
My hope was to build up my no claims and gain some experience on the BMW scheme but my brother, who works for them has decided to go on the scheme instead of me so here I am having to decide what my first car will be.
My budget is around 5k for the car, with the insurance being under 2.5-3k.
I don't really care about speed, I only ever drive it from work and back and around town so I rarely go on the motorway or anything. I just want it to be fun and enjoyable to drive.
Could I possibly get some suggestions from some of you PHs?
Preferably, i'd like it to be:
FWD or RWD
Petrol
Manual
3dr
Thanks,
Danny
Edited by newwave on Saturday 4th January 08:37
Krikkit said:
Fun, relatively sane to insure car - PH default: MX-5.
I've been looking at MX-5s, they look great and the amount of reviews that say they're awesome cars has definitely put the MX-5 at the top of my list.But, i did try to get a quote on a few random MK2 1.6s but the insurance is around 4-4.5k (With my Mum and Dad on the insurance as well!)
It's a bit strange as I did try for a quote just last year in November and it was much lower than what I received on the 1st Jan this year..
What about an MG6 - should be able to get a 3 year old one for £5K soon.
Likened to a poor mans BMW.
Good to drive with entertaining handling.
160bhp but with a low insurance group.
I reckon that the low insurance group could be of real benefit to a youngster like yourself.
Heres one that I was looking at last year.
Likened to a poor mans BMW.
Good to drive with entertaining handling.
160bhp but with a low insurance group.
I reckon that the low insurance group could be of real benefit to a youngster like yourself.
Heres one that I was looking at last year.
Well written, no text speak, polite...
You are NOT 18!
To answer the question; you will struggle a bit to get anything too 'fun'. A classic car might be an option, something like a Triumph GT6 or the like; although most classic policies require you to be 21 years old.
In terms of a modern, fun car; stock answer of an MX-5 is obvious but probably quite apt. Otherwise, something small and nippy like a Clio Sport or Golf GTI.
Anything 'hot' will no doubt hit the insurance hard. So look for something small and convertable, some of the most fun I had was in a 1962 Sprite Mk2.
HTH
You are NOT 18!
To answer the question; you will struggle a bit to get anything too 'fun'. A classic car might be an option, something like a Triumph GT6 or the like; although most classic policies require you to be 21 years old.
In terms of a modern, fun car; stock answer of an MX-5 is obvious but probably quite apt. Otherwise, something small and nippy like a Clio Sport or Golf GTI.
Anything 'hot' will no doubt hit the insurance hard. So look for something small and convertable, some of the most fun I had was in a 1962 Sprite Mk2.
HTH
Take a look at kit cars or some classics.
e.g. £5k should get you a GTM Libra with a bit of searching. Engines are typically 1.4, 1.6 or 1.8 K-Series and anywhere from 110-180hp in something weighing around 700kg. Very much a Lotus Elise in concept and ability (uses many of the same major components an S1 Elise uses and Lotus even bought one of these when designing the Elise), but cheaper to buy and specialist kit car insurance should be affordable.
PH classifieds, ebay and other places often have them for sale, although only usually one or two for sale at a time. So will take a little hunting to find one.
e.g. £5k should get you a GTM Libra with a bit of searching. Engines are typically 1.4, 1.6 or 1.8 K-Series and anywhere from 110-180hp in something weighing around 700kg. Very much a Lotus Elise in concept and ability (uses many of the same major components an S1 Elise uses and Lotus even bought one of these when designing the Elise), but cheaper to buy and specialist kit car insurance should be affordable.
PH classifieds, ebay and other places often have them for sale, although only usually one or two for sale at a time. So will take a little hunting to find one.
In this day and age, depending on where you live, you'll struggle to get anything over a 1.2 insured for under £2500.
The only way to get around it is to get something obscure that other young people don't drive, although because of the engine size you might still struggle.
Even if you went down the diesel route you're still left with the issue that the best engines for reliability around that price range tend to be the 1.9 TDi PD engines from VW. These can be tinkered with for some great power and still retain economy and being in VW can come in a lot of different vehicle types with great "spec" too so you won't feel like you're driving some old banger.
The cheapest fun and nippy cars I found to insure were 1.6 Mk5 Fiesta Zetec-S and Saxo VTR's (these are the 8v version so less power), then 1.4 106 Quicksilver.
The only way to get around it is to get something obscure that other young people don't drive, although because of the engine size you might still struggle.
Even if you went down the diesel route you're still left with the issue that the best engines for reliability around that price range tend to be the 1.9 TDi PD engines from VW. These can be tinkered with for some great power and still retain economy and being in VW can come in a lot of different vehicle types with great "spec" too so you won't feel like you're driving some old banger.
The cheapest fun and nippy cars I found to insure were 1.6 Mk5 Fiesta Zetec-S and Saxo VTR's (these are the 8v version so less power), then 1.4 106 Quicksilver.
Wow, I appreciate all the suggestions from all of you so quickly!
The Toyota MR2 also appeals to me, it's like an MX-5!
But, again I just hopped on go compare and the cheapest quote that came up was 4.5k. I'm not seeing the popular insurance companies in the list though? I'm not sure whether it is just GoCompare playing up? (I hope so)
Thanks
Danny
The Toyota MR2 also appeals to me, it's like an MX-5!
But, again I just hopped on go compare and the cheapest quote that came up was 4.5k. I'm not seeing the popular insurance companies in the list though? I'm not sure whether it is just GoCompare playing up? (I hope so)
Thanks
Danny
Your best bet for insurance is one of the Admiral/Elephant 10 month accelerator schemes.
Put up with something really dull and boring for 10 months, get your first years no claims and then start to shop around for something more fun. They work out slightly more expensive per month (think mine is about £6 a month extra) but it's certainly worth it.
Have you also added parents (mum is usually best) to the policy? It brings it down substantially.
Oh and yes, you do get 1 full years no claims for the 10 months and it CAN be used with ANY insurance company you want.
Put up with something really dull and boring for 10 months, get your first years no claims and then start to shop around for something more fun. They work out slightly more expensive per month (think mine is about £6 a month extra) but it's certainly worth it.
Have you also added parents (mum is usually best) to the policy? It brings it down substantially.
Oh and yes, you do get 1 full years no claims for the 10 months and it CAN be used with ANY insurance company you want.
Peugeot 106 1.1(60hp)/1.4 Quiksilver(75hp) would be your best bet for cheap to insure fun.
Neither are particularly quick but both handle very well, the Quiksilver being better and a little quicker.
You could probably buy one, pay off the insurance and bank a few thousand ready for an upgrade once that no claims comes in?
Neither are particularly quick but both handle very well, the Quiksilver being better and a little quicker.
You could probably buy one, pay off the insurance and bank a few thousand ready for an upgrade once that no claims comes in?
Insurance on something with a 1.9PD engine in it is still going to be very expensive.
You just have to stick it out. My first car was a 1.2i Nova, which was still 'fun' because it was my first car, it was paid for and there was very little on it that could go wrong. It still cost nearly a grand to insure for my first years' experience, but after a little over that year I bought a 306 1.8 which cost about the same again to insure, only it was a lot more 'plush' in comparison.
You may as well drive something completely bog-standard, keep it in as best condition you can and sell it on for not-a-lot-less than you bought it for originally. Counter expensive insurance costs with minimal depreciation on the car. Spend £1,000-1500 and it will be worth that again in 12-18 months if you buy smart.
You just have to stick it out. My first car was a 1.2i Nova, which was still 'fun' because it was my first car, it was paid for and there was very little on it that could go wrong. It still cost nearly a grand to insure for my first years' experience, but after a little over that year I bought a 306 1.8 which cost about the same again to insure, only it was a lot more 'plush' in comparison.
You may as well drive something completely bog-standard, keep it in as best condition you can and sell it on for not-a-lot-less than you bought it for originally. Counter expensive insurance costs with minimal depreciation on the car. Spend £1,000-1500 and it will be worth that again in 12-18 months if you buy smart.
I had a Mk5 Fiesta ZS at 18, all I could have wanted really, easy to work on and modify, good to learn, simple, fun to drive, good gearbox.
Go for the Puma if you can though, it's got the better engine, and is a lot cheaper to insure than a ZS with the engine swapped in. Also has a shorter gearbox, and is a bit better made.
Chuck it about, enjoy it for a year or two, get some NCB, save up for a better car at 20.
Go for the Puma if you can though, it's got the better engine, and is a lot cheaper to insure than a ZS with the engine swapped in. Also has a shorter gearbox, and is a bit better made.
Chuck it about, enjoy it for a year or two, get some NCB, save up for a better car at 20.
300bhp/ton said:
Take a look at kit cars or some classics.
e.g. £5k should get you a GTM Libra with a bit of searching. Engines are typically 1.4, 1.6 or 1.8 K-Series and anywhere from 110-180hp in something weighing around 700kg. Very much a Lotus Elise in concept and ability (uses many of the same major components an S1 Elise uses and Lotus even bought one of these when designing the Elise), but cheaper to buy and specialist kit car insurance should be affordable.
PH classifieds, ebay and other places often have them for sale, although only usually one or two for sale at a time. So will take a little hunting to find one.
It's a great suggestion, but I'd like to see an 18 year old actually get an insurance quote on this. From an insurer's perspective how is this car any less risk than a 1.0 Jazz?e.g. £5k should get you a GTM Libra with a bit of searching. Engines are typically 1.4, 1.6 or 1.8 K-Series and anywhere from 110-180hp in something weighing around 700kg. Very much a Lotus Elise in concept and ability (uses many of the same major components an S1 Elise uses and Lotus even bought one of these when designing the Elise), but cheaper to buy and specialist kit car insurance should be affordable.
PH classifieds, ebay and other places often have them for sale, although only usually one or two for sale at a time. So will take a little hunting to find one.
I'd recommend a MK1 Focus. I think the ST170 will be too expensive to insure but even the smaller engined (except the 1.4) models are immensely fun to drive without being fast.
The 1.4 is too underpowered and the 1.8 is generally considered to be not a lot faster than the 1.6 but with lower MPG, so the 1.4 and the 1.8 are the engines to avoid.
I had a 1.6 Ghia and loved it. It was very comfy to drive with it being a top spec, with heated leather seats but the handling was brilliant. You could really chuck it about and if you started to go beyond its limits, it would start to understeer gradually letting you know it was time to back off. However, if you were feeling rather adventurous, the understeer could be quickly eliminated with some lift-off oversteer.
I bought it off my Mum and in the 10 years that it was in the family, the only thing it needed, on top of routine maintenance, was a new fan belt after it started to squeak.
The 1.4 is too underpowered and the 1.8 is generally considered to be not a lot faster than the 1.6 but with lower MPG, so the 1.4 and the 1.8 are the engines to avoid.
I had a 1.6 Ghia and loved it. It was very comfy to drive with it being a top spec, with heated leather seats but the handling was brilliant. You could really chuck it about and if you started to go beyond its limits, it would start to understeer gradually letting you know it was time to back off. However, if you were feeling rather adventurous, the understeer could be quickly eliminated with some lift-off oversteer.
I bought it off my Mum and in the 10 years that it was in the family, the only thing it needed, on top of routine maintenance, was a new fan belt after it started to squeak.
Edited by TheTurbonator on Friday 3rd January 16:10
james_gt3rs said:
It's a great suggestion, but I'd like to see an 18 year old actually get an insurance quote on this. From an insurer's perspective how is this car any less risk than a 1.0 Jazz?
Specialist kit car insurance tends to (or used to at least), be very affordable. But you'll need to phone up some specialist insurers and stay clear of online bulk insurance checkers to get such rates.There was a PH'er last year or the year before who bought one of these, there's a thread in readers rides somewhere. Think they were 18 +- a year.
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