First car help.

[BarrettsProject]

Hi everyone. New to the forums here so first time posting. I am 17 years old and looking for my first car. I have no idea what I want but something different would be nice, does anyone have any good first car suggestions? So to give you some background on what I have to work with, I have 3k for the car, not including the insurance, and i'll probably own this car for around 2 years so something reliable is a must. Insurance wise £1400 is the max. To give you idea's on insurance quotes I get, a 2002 1.2 VW Polo is £1000, a 2006 1.4 Corsa is £1000. A 2003 1.4 Honda Civic is £1200 and a 2005 1.6 Ford Focus is £1400. I like the Honda Civics but can not find a single one in good shape here in Scotland. So yeah. Thanks for reading, just looking to see if anyone has any good idea's for a first car, maybe something different but if not just something thats a really good first car in general. Any past experiences with certain cars that people would describe as a good first car but isn't and vise versa? Anyway thanks for the help.

Aaron.

[morgrp]

Yaris SR? No idea on the insurance but 1400quid buys you this:





If you want to go off the wall nuts then here are some of my suggestions:

None of these are as reliable as a modern super mini but so easy and cheap to fix

[morgrp]

insurance might be too high but these are fantastic little cars:



Mrs Morgrp loves hers

[Pebbles167]

When I was 17 (8 years ago!) insurance wasn't quite as tight. I had a 106 xsi with all sorts of mods. That being said there are loads of great cars at a price I couldn't afford back then. Choose a car you like, not just any old motor. Remember, this is going to be your first proper impression of driving and will hopefully be a good one. I still miss my 106! so...

My choices?

1.) A Volkswagen Lupo of some sort. Engine isn't that important although id have the 100hp 1.4 petrol or a diesel.]

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/volkswagen/l...



Good: They are good on fuel, handle ok, are reliable, well built and have good looks.

Bad: Handling is the worst of the bunch.


2.) Mk 2 Renault Clio. Id go for the 1.2 16v, 1.4 16v or the 100hp 1.5 Diesel.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-reviews/renault...



Good: They are very cheap to run, usually can be bought for peanuts, are surprisingly reliable and relatively frugal. The handling is excellent.

Bad: Interior build quality is the worst of the bunch.


3.) MK 6 Fiesta. Avoid the awfully slow 1.3 but go for a 1.25 zetec or 1.4 zetec engine.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-reviews/ford/fi...



Good: These cars have a nice modern look, are comfortable, handle well, have decent engines, can be insured cheaply.

Bad: Bodywork is the worst of the bunch.


I've selected these cars because IMO they look good, are cheap to buy and run, are reliable, have a huge fanbase and decent owners clubs (to advise you), are safer than a lot of small cars ie: 106, saxo, etc. They are older models of car that I've always been fond of, and remember, newer doesn't always mean better! Also, you can get all of them and have plenty of change for £3k.

Most of all I think they are all FUN and rewarding to drive. Just because you are 17 doesn't mean you should settle for some awful crap with poor handling and no street cred. Who deserves that as they grow up?! These cars will be a good friend to you for a couple of years, all while getting you about quickly, reliably and safely.

Any of these cars will teach you a lot about the joys of driving and car ownership. They can be left standard and look and drive respectable or can be modified to your hearts content. It can all be done cheaply and with the reassurance that because of their popularity someone can help you out if needed.

If this doesn't sound too great just do an autotrader search with personalised parameters. I'm sure you could find a lot for £3k.

Hope this post was helpful OP

Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 1st April 03:01

[BarrettsProject]

Thanks morgrp! That Yaris is interesting i'll take a look insurance wise and keep in mind. To be honest I love the mini, but the only problem is it seems like the lottery when it comes down to them. I know a few people who have gotten them, and some went without a hitch, perfect, however others just had problem after problem so I want to avoid that for a first car. The midget is nice but I don't think I will get a 2 seater as a first car. However I am absolutely in love with the Ford, only problem is I cant seem to find many and I thought they were quite pricey?. The Audi is lovely but from what I can remember the insurance is a little high. Thanks very much for the suggestions!

Pebbles167 I have looked at all these cars and have them up there on possible cars, never heard a bad thing about anyone having them as a first car and they are generally really nice cars that don't seem to come with any bad experiences. So thanks for the suggestions i'll keep them all in mind

[TheFinners]

I have a MK6 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec as a first car and it is excellent for what it is. Cost me £1800 and I have only had a few minor issues with it (if you can stretch to it the facelifted ones they are more reliable, though neither should cause too many problems). It is a very nice car to drive though with a willing engine, great handling and a very good gearbox. Incidentally I was also looking at 2002- Civic's beforehand as both the 1.4 and 1.6 were cheaper to insure than my Fiesta, but like yourself I was unable to find a tidy one that wasn't >50 miles away. The only box the fiesta won't tick is 'something a little different' - they are very very common, although one of the reasons for this is they are good cars, far nicer to drive than an equivalent Corsa.

[BarrettsProject]

TheFinners said:

I have a MK6 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec as a first car and it is excellent for what it is. Cost me £1800 and I have only had a few minor issues with it (if you can stretch to it the facelifted ones they are more reliable, though neither should cause too many problems). It is a very nice car to drive though with a willing engine, great handling and a very good gearbox. Incidentally I was also looking at 2002- Civic's beforehand as both the 1.4 and 1.6 were cheaper to insure than my Fiesta, but like yourself I was unable to find a tidy one that wasn't >50 miles away. The only box the fiesta won't tick is 'something a little different' - they are very very common, although one of the reasons for this is they are good cars, far nicer to drive than an equivalent Corsa.

Yeah I have been looking at the MK6 Fiesta's, never heard a problem about them besides like you said it doesn't exactly tick "Something different" But for a first car I think i'll just stick to something reliable and nice to drive until I have a few years no claims and can get something a little bit more fun/nice. So the MK6 Fiesta is definitely up there, I looked at the newer Corsa's but all I have heard about them is that they are not nice to drive at all, so going to stay away from them. Currently in the middle of looking at a 2007 1.2 Seat Ibiza, only 29,000 miles on the clock, very clean and £3500. Considering it as not heard a bad thing about them before, cheap insurance, cheap to run and personally I actually don't mind the look of them, interior is nice and roomy as well and someone I know had one and loved it. Going to keep looking around but the Seat is top at the moment.