Such thing as a 'fun' first car?
Discussion
Afternoon all.
At the age now where learning to drive/getting a car is at the forefront of my mind and wondering if it is possible to get a fun first car? I don't mean flash or quick, but something that is fun to drive and different.
Not interested in newness or being a flash car at all (would actually prefer an older vehicle) and of course insurance is the main drawback.
Looking at spending up to £1200 on a car and maybe a max of £1900 on insurance (get 20% off with Admiral too due to family member working for them).
I know Footman James and Peter James will insure a 17year old on a classic car but only on certain cars AFAIAA? Any info on what these cars are?
Only thing I can think of is a Fiesta 1.25 really.
Cheers.
At the age now where learning to drive/getting a car is at the forefront of my mind and wondering if it is possible to get a fun first car? I don't mean flash or quick, but something that is fun to drive and different.
Not interested in newness or being a flash car at all (would actually prefer an older vehicle) and of course insurance is the main drawback.
Looking at spending up to £1200 on a car and maybe a max of £1900 on insurance (get 20% off with Admiral too due to family member working for them).
I know Footman James and Peter James will insure a 17year old on a classic car but only on certain cars AFAIAA? Any info on what these cars are?
Only thing I can think of is a Fiesta 1.25 really.
Cheers.
My first car was an MGB. Around three grand to buy the car and get it into good working order and about 400 quid for the insurance (on a classic policy). If such policies still exist, it might work for you? My policy was with Lancaster, but I don't think they do classic insurance for under 21s anymore.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 26th January 14:08
Thanks for the replies so far chaps, appreciate them.
Keep 'em coming.
Was mainly thinking of road driving, one that I would enjoy just going out for a drive in.
But willing to hear what people think as an old Landie didn't enter my head.
Keep 'em coming.
jbi said:
define fun...
land rovers are pretty cheap first cars and can provide plenty of off road laughs
Not any set grounds with regards to fun.land rovers are pretty cheap first cars and can provide plenty of off road laughs
Was mainly thinking of road driving, one that I would enjoy just going out for a drive in.
But willing to hear what people think as an old Landie didn't enter my head.
43034 said:
Afternoon all.
At the age now where learning to drive/getting a car is at the forefront of my mind and wondering if it is possible to get a fun first car? I don't mean flash or quick, but something that is fun to drive and different.
Not interested in newness or being a flash car at all (would actually prefer an older vehicle) and of course insurance is the main drawback.
Looking at spending up to £1200 on a car and maybe a max of £1900 on insurance (get 20% off with Admiral too due to family member working for them).
I know Footman James and Peter James will insure a 17year old on a classic car but only on certain cars AFAIAA? Any info on what these cars are?
Only thing I can think of is a Fiesta 1.25 really.
Cheers.
Ooo i may know them! At the age now where learning to drive/getting a car is at the forefront of my mind and wondering if it is possible to get a fun first car? I don't mean flash or quick, but something that is fun to drive and different.
Not interested in newness or being a flash car at all (would actually prefer an older vehicle) and of course insurance is the main drawback.
Looking at spending up to £1200 on a car and maybe a max of £1900 on insurance (get 20% off with Admiral too due to family member working for them).
I know Footman James and Peter James will insure a 17year old on a classic car but only on certain cars AFAIAA? Any info on what these cars are?
Only thing I can think of is a Fiesta 1.25 really.
Cheers.
Your first car at that age will always be "fun".
My first car in 1985 was a 957cc X reg Fiesta Pop+ which I bought cheap off my dad's company. Ran it till November 1990 and 188K on the clock.
I loved and enjoyed that car more than any since - for the freedom and memories it has given me. I went all over Europe in it. How much fun can you possibly want
My first car in 1985 was a 957cc X reg Fiesta Pop+ which I bought cheap off my dad's company. Ran it till November 1990 and 188K on the clock.
I loved and enjoyed that car more than any since - for the freedom and memories it has given me. I went all over Europe in it. How much fun can you possibly want
This was my first car, not that long ago:
It's a Quantum 2+2. It used XR2 mechanicals (in quite a high state of tune in the case of that example) to give what was, at the time, hot-ish hatch performance along with convertible looks, a huge boot and (somewhat less huge) rear seats.
Insurance was £300 a year on a kit car policy. Admittedly I was 19 (I'd driven my mum's car up until that point) but still not bad. Would probably cost you twice that now, but still a fraction of the cost of insuring a mainstream Fiesta or Corsa at that age!
It's a Quantum 2+2. It used XR2 mechanicals (in quite a high state of tune in the case of that example) to give what was, at the time, hot-ish hatch performance along with convertible looks, a huge boot and (somewhat less huge) rear seats.
Insurance was £300 a year on a kit car policy. Admittedly I was 19 (I'd driven my mum's car up until that point) but still not bad. Would probably cost you twice that now, but still a fraction of the cost of insuring a mainstream Fiesta or Corsa at that age!
ewenm said:
Ford Ka is meant to be quite fun.
Classics - I'd be asking about Minis and MGBs/Midgets. Not very safe in an accident though...
Exactly the two types of car that popped into my mind when I read the OP question.Classics - I'd be asking about Minis and MGBs/Midgets. Not very safe in an accident though...
The A series engine is very easy to work on so will allow you to learn about engines and fix the vehicle yourself should the worst happen. I know Minis can be quite expensive though as they are very desireable.
Marf said:
I had a Charade GTti as my first car when I was 21.
Group 11 Insurance - £1200 fully comp.
100hp 820kg 7.8 to 60mph.
130hp available with basic mods
150hp available with basics+hybrid+ecu/remap
200hp available with above + throttle body, front mount and more boost
So what was the insurance when you declared all those mods? Group 11 Insurance - £1200 fully comp.
100hp 820kg 7.8 to 60mph.
130hp available with basic mods
150hp available with basics+hybrid+ecu/remap
200hp available with above + throttle body, front mount and more boost
43034 said:
Thanks for the replies so far chaps, appreciate them.
Keep 'em coming.
Was mainly thinking of road driving, one that I would enjoy just going out for a drive in.
But willing to hear what people think as an old Landie didn't enter my head.
You will go out for random drives no matter what car you have. Just avoid things that will take the fun away, like unreliable cars (unless you will get enjoyment from working on it)- no specific car in mind here, just avoid buying a dog.Keep 'em coming.
jbi said:
define fun...
land rovers are pretty cheap first cars and can provide plenty of off road laughs
Not any set grounds with regards to fun.land rovers are pretty cheap first cars and can provide plenty of off road laughs
Was mainly thinking of road driving, one that I would enjoy just going out for a drive in.
But willing to hear what people think as an old Landie didn't enter my head.
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