Help choosing my first car!

[HenryBee]

So, I've been driving around in a ridiculous bright blue fiat punto for the last year or so, and I think it's time for me to buy my FIRST CAR!(The Punto was my sisters')

I'm 19 years old, so insurance is slightly restrictive, but I can get some reasonable quotes.

My budget is around 5 grand, but I could wait a bit longer and spend up to 6. (This isn't including insurance).

I'll be doing around 10,000 miles a year, so something with 25+ mpg would be nice, 30+ would be preferred though.

So I want something fun, fairly quick, and as reliable as possible, because I'm not the most hands on home mechanic...

Considerations so far include:

Mk1 Audi TT
Mazda 2 Sport
Fiesta Zetec S (bit pricey)
Clio sport 197
Octavia VRS

Would love a mk5 gti, but insurance is too much.

Open to any suggestions! So fire away! Cheers

[Ki3r]

Have you checked the insurance prices on the ones you have listed? Wouldn't have thought they would be cheap to insure.

[Codswallop]

Personally, I cannot stomach the thought of throwing vast sums of money on insurance, so would shy away from some the cars on your list until you're older and insurance prices tumble.

Fiesta Zetec S or Mazda 2 would be great fun, and you can spend the money you save on insurance on doing something enjoyable, like road trips or track days.

Personally, I would seek out a Suzuki Swift Sport or Ignis Sport, Fiat Panda 100HP, or Reanultsport Twingo 133.

If a 2 seater is practical enough, the MK3 MR2 is reputedly a very good steer too.

[LP670]

from those id go clio 197 preferably in cup form.

avoid the TT, chocolate electronics on audis of that period mean you'll be constantly fixing problems.

[HenryBee]

Well I'm paying £1000 on my punto at the moment...

Mazda and Zetec S were about £700.
TT was only £1100! That's why I thought, why not!
Clio is a bit more obviously...

I do like the twingo and the swift! They're about £700 too.

But for an extra £400 year, I think the TT is also an option to consider!

[JDMDrifter]

How on earth is your insurance costing you so little. I'm 20, 1 year NCD, and it's £900 on a1.4 ibiza! Any other car I look at it's like £2k tops!

[HenryBee]

JDMDrifter said:

How on earth is your insurance costing you so little. I'm 20, 1 year NCD, and it's £900 on a1.4 ibiza! Any other car I look at it's like £2k tops!

I've got 1 years no claims. My job title is 'trainee manager' which brings it down a lot... 1 family member as a named driver? Don't know how much that helps?

[JDMDrifter]

Pretty much the same as me, I wish I could say it's cause of a rough area but it's a sleepy market town where I live! A quote for say a Clio 197 is around £4k for me

[kiethton]

Maybe an off the wall shout but try an EP3 civic, both modified and unmodified.

The latter actually halved my insurance quotes with flux.

[Riknos]

kiethton said:

Maybe an off the wall shout but try an EP3 civic, both modified and unmodified.

The latter actually halved my insurance quotes with flux.

This, if you can, better than everything else on your list

[HenryBee]

Insurance is far too much for an ep3 type r, which is a shame, cause I really do want one! Thanks for the suggestions so far though

[Riknos]

HenryBee said:

Insurance is far too much for an ep3 type r, which is a shame, cause I really do want one! Thanks for the suggestions so far though

Who are you speaking to? Adrian Flux / Sky insurance? Or comparethemoneysupermarketconfused.com rubbish?

[HenryBee]

Compare the market rubbish :L They quoted 1700, you think it'll be a whole lot cheaper with flux?

[lel]

I'm 19 and I've just bought a Zetec S, it's a hoot to drive and with it being the TDCI model I can achieve 60mpg easily

[kiethton]

HenryBee said:

Compare the market rubbish :L They quoted 1700, you think it'll be a whole lot cheaper with flux?

Admittedly I am a couple of years older when I got mine last year (23) but the quote was £600

This included disclosure of 2 non-fault accidents in the past 12 months
Not the best postcode
Mod's - suspension & exhaust
3 points declared etc.

Give it a go, far more fun

Other than that how does a Leon Cupra (R if insurable), Focus ST and Ocatavia/Fabia VRS's stack up?

Other than that do you need the practicality of the hatch?

If not try an MX-5 1.8 good fun and very solid

Edited by kiethton on Thursday 13th March 09:17

[Actus Reus]

Another vote for a Suzuki Swift sport if they come into budget. Forget the TT though - poseur's motor.

[chrispmartha]

Not sure why comparison sites get so much stick, I got easily the cheapest quote on my Cayman from one.

Also where will you be parking it? my premium went down by around £200 if I parked it on the road away from the house! reason is that its a lot harder to steal if they don't know which house the keys are in!

[B3ALP]

I would go TT My daughter has one and I think it is brilliant to drive,
Find one that has has the Dash Binnacle and the coilpacks done on recall and rest easy.
We found the 225BHP was cheaper to insure than the 180

She paid £895 FC 1 years no claims with Elephant at 20 years old.