Discussion
Just get the smallest, cheapest heap of legal crap you can afford, build up 2 years of no claims discount, then pick something that you like.
I got a 1999 matiz as a project car for £300 (project as in I want to learn how to fix cars, and I don't care if I f
k this thing up) which is fully legal, and gets me about. 800cc engine 
Something like that would be ideal
I got a 1999 matiz as a project car for £300 (project as in I want to learn how to fix cars, and I don't care if I f
k this thing up) which is fully legal, and gets me about. 800cc engine Something like that would be ideal
For £1500 you will most likely have to buy a shed BUT...
1) Won't matter if you damage/crash/bump/scrape it.
2) Save some money from the £1500 and buy some decent tools e.g. good socket set, screwdrivers, spanners etc.
3) Learn the basics of car maintenance i.e. how to replace your consumables, do an oil change, solder a loose electrical connection, install a stereo etc etc. If you can master these skills on your first banger it will save you countless thousands throughout the rest of your car-owning life.
4) Don't aim for one particular model/brand. When you spend £1500 on a car condition is everything regardless of anything else.
That said: Corsa, Micra, Punto, Ka, Fiesta, Alto, 106, Saxo etc. There's loads to choose from but some will be dogs, just get one in good condition. Even consider a Daewoo/Chevrolet Matiz - not exactly a PH car but dirt cheap to run and insure and plenty to be had for sub £1k with relatively low mileage as long as you aren't going to be doing long motorway miles. That said my best mate crashed his Matiz doing 90mph in the outside lane of the M5, catapulted across all three lanes and up the embankment without even a scratch.
1) Won't matter if you damage/crash/bump/scrape it.
2) Save some money from the £1500 and buy some decent tools e.g. good socket set, screwdrivers, spanners etc.
3) Learn the basics of car maintenance i.e. how to replace your consumables, do an oil change, solder a loose electrical connection, install a stereo etc etc. If you can master these skills on your first banger it will save you countless thousands throughout the rest of your car-owning life.
4) Don't aim for one particular model/brand. When you spend £1500 on a car condition is everything regardless of anything else.
That said: Corsa, Micra, Punto, Ka, Fiesta, Alto, 106, Saxo etc. There's loads to choose from but some will be dogs, just get one in good condition. Even consider a Daewoo/Chevrolet Matiz - not exactly a PH car but dirt cheap to run and insure and plenty to be had for sub £1k with relatively low mileage as long as you aren't going to be doing long motorway miles. That said my best mate crashed his Matiz doing 90mph in the outside lane of the M5, catapulted across all three lanes and up the embankment without even a scratch.
HereBeMonsters said:
Corsa.
I can't believe I just said that.
fk it, let's go the whole hog. Rover 25.
Nooo...I can't believe I just said that.
f
k it, let's go the whole hog. Rover 25.Helped my friends sister get a first car a few years ago and knew of a Rover 25 1.4 going at a good price. She loved the car so bought it.
4 months later the headgasket goes and I feel as guilty as sin!
BDZ said:
For £1500 you will most likely have to buy a shed BUT...
1) Won't matter if you damage/crash/bump/scrape it.
2) Save some money from the £1500 and buy some decent tools e.g. good socket set, screwdrivers, spanners etc.
3) Learn the basics of car maintenance i.e. how to replace your consumables, do an oil change, solder a loose electrical connection, install a stereo etc etc. If you can master these skills on your first banger it will save you countless thousands throughout the rest of your car-owning life.
4) Don't aim for one particular model/brand. When you spend £1500 on a car condition is everything regardless of anything else.
That said: Corsa, Micra, Punto, Ka, Fiesta, Alto, 106, Saxo etc. There's loads to choose from but some will be dogs, just get one in good condition. Even consider a Daewoo/Chevrolet Matiz - not exactly a PH car but dirt cheap to run and insure and plenty to be had for sub £1k with relatively low mileage as long as you aren't going to be doing long motorway miles. That said my best mate crashed his Matiz doing 90mph in the outside lane of the M5, catapulted across all three lanes and up the embankment without even a scratch.
If my dad is nice to me then i could probably stretch to about £3000 but I need something that looks at least half decent1) Won't matter if you damage/crash/bump/scrape it.
2) Save some money from the £1500 and buy some decent tools e.g. good socket set, screwdrivers, spanners etc.
3) Learn the basics of car maintenance i.e. how to replace your consumables, do an oil change, solder a loose electrical connection, install a stereo etc etc. If you can master these skills on your first banger it will save you countless thousands throughout the rest of your car-owning life.
4) Don't aim for one particular model/brand. When you spend £1500 on a car condition is everything regardless of anything else.
That said: Corsa, Micra, Punto, Ka, Fiesta, Alto, 106, Saxo etc. There's loads to choose from but some will be dogs, just get one in good condition. Even consider a Daewoo/Chevrolet Matiz - not exactly a PH car but dirt cheap to run and insure and plenty to be had for sub £1k with relatively low mileage as long as you aren't going to be doing long motorway miles. That said my best mate crashed his Matiz doing 90mph in the outside lane of the M5, catapulted across all three lanes and up the embankment without even a scratch.
Skinnnnnyboy said:
If my dad is nice to me then i could probably stretch to about £3000 but I need something that looks at least half decent
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...best to look through car ads at cars within your budget with service history, MOT (tax too ideally), affordable insurance/fuel (so probably 1-1.3 litre engine or so) and one that looks decent. Get a selection of 5/6 cars on a shortlist and look at and drive as many as possible but just get one in as good condition as you can find and make sure it's one you like the look of i.e. no pink Micras with "fairy dust" stickers all over.Also avoid any "pre-loved" modified cars that look like they've ram raided Halfords while covered in glue or been given an extra 2 bhp by adding a wicked new air filter innit. They never look better than the standard cars (all IMHO of course) and rarely seem to have been driven with much mechanical sympathy.
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