Trying to choose a new car, opinions?

[Selts]

Right so my grandad is giving me 10k for my 20th as a early present but im in 2 minds which car to get

Ive narrowed the choice down to 3 cars

abarth 500 1.4 11 plate
fiesta zetec s 61 plate
or a poxy 1.4 sri corsa 12 plate

there are different benefits to each.

the corsa being cheapest to buy and run and insure
the fiesta looks the nicest in my opinion but is semi expensive for me to insure
or the abarth 500 because i think its awesome although feminine.

So guys, any opinions. Ive heard oh stick to a cheap car but ive had the same one for 3 years now and im looking for one of the 3 but cant make my mind up. Anyone else had any of these to share their opinions?

[73mark]

Test drive all three.
Make a decision after.

[Selts]

^ good point, im actually going down tomorrow to have a look. get a good deal on the corsa if i want as my uncle is manager of sales and finance down their

[Blib]

Hey! I drive a 500 Twin Air and it's not "feminine" in the slightest. Though, I have to be careful with the controls on the wheel if I've just done my nails.

[Chr1sch]

Out of interest why those cars? Is it insurance costs you're worried about?

£10k if wise can buy a very nice car with plenty of go - I had a Leon Cupra at 20 and loved it, fast but not so fast I was in danger or paying crazy money to insure it. Why not something like a Gokf GTI etc?

[Selts]

yeah insurance pretty much, had 2 crashes on my licence that have gone down as non fault and 3 years no claims, im 20 also in jan

corsa insurance is 800 a year
abarth is 1300 a year
and fiesta is 1500 a year

seen they do a diesel fiesta zetec s but is only 90 bhp? anyone test drove one of them?

[Selts]

but on that im trying to work out if i can afford to run it, im still an apprentice

[73mark]

Selts said:

yeah insurance pretty much, had 2 crashes on my licence that have gone down as non fault and 3 years no claims, im 20 also in jan

corsa insurance is 800 a year
abarth is 1300 a year
and fiesta is 1500 a year

seen they do a diesel fiesta zetec s but is only 90 bhp? anyone test drove one of them?

Diesel at 20yrs old NO NO NO!!!!!

[AdamGP]

I know it's not directly answering the question and don't know your current situation, but if I was given that kind of money I'd be sticking it toward bricks and mortar for the future, not some euro box that will be worth a few grand in a couple of years.

[Selts]

mmm i guess adam but my grandad insists its for a car as he knows my last 2 have been my pride and joy

[RS Grant]

I know it doesn't help with your choices, but in your situation, I'd rather spend a little more on insurance (it should take a big dip when you're 21) and have a slightly older quicker car if I was 20yr old again... sure, it'll not only have a few thousand miles on it or a nice shiny 11/12/13 plate on it... but it'll be far more enjoyable to drive, which you must be interested in to some degree if you're on Pistonheads.

If your uncle is in the trade and having a 'newer' car really matters to you then what about asking him to try and source you a new Fiesta ST through the trade? You'll get it cheaper than retail and shouldn't have to deal with much of an increase over your budget, but get a far better car, in my opinion.


Cheers,
Grant

[PGNCerbera]

AdamGP said:

If I was given that kind of money I'd be sticking it toward bricks and mortar for the future, not some euro box that will be worth a few grand in a couple of years.

Obligatory mumsnet post.

Let the bit just buy a car and enjoy being a pistonhead. OP, please don't buy a diesel. My only advice.

Otherwise enjoy the hunt - it's a huge part of the fun

[Selts]

okay okay no diesel aha!

really did like the look of the new suzuki swift sport but again 2.6k for insurance!

[HenryBee]

Save it till you're 21, insurance will drop by a lot and open up a whole load more options.

I bought a Swift Sport (old one) at 19 and regretting it now because I've seen how much cheaper things are to insure at 21!

[Selts]

st insurance is ridiculous, almost 5k infact! but im also looking at older cars wouldnt mind a mk1/2 escort, think it'd be a big win in my dads books!

[CMYKguru]

why not ask mummy and daddy to front up on the insurance. Is that not the done thing these days

[Ruskie]

I speak from experience. Save the money till your older. I was told the same and didn't listen. Memorable highlights include paying £1800 a year insurance and buying a £12k car and trading it in for £1500, 4 years later!!

[andburg]

If you must buy a car with it then buy something cheap and invest in some driver training, you've already had 3 accidents!!

Very lucky to be given £10k,it would be a shame to waste when you will soon want to buy a house.I'm 30 and have only ever bought 1 car above 10k!

You could always look to buy an appreciating classic for that money if you really wanted to spend it all

[Gtom]

There is some real cheap lease deals going about on small cars, why not lease and keep the money in the bank?

[skyrover]

At 20 years old I was driving about in a 250hp 4.0 litre V8

broaden your horizons a bit