CAR ADVICE FOR A 22 YEAR OLD
Discussion
Hi guys,
Coming out of university in September, and need some car advice. Has to be reasonable insurance, build quality, running costs etc., but also fun and a bit sporty and possibly a bit different from the standard cars that young people have. Not too picky on age, but obviously not super old and rusty.
Budget wise: anything up to £5-6k
I'm opening up the suggestions right open. Anything from city cars to coupes to executives to family cars is acceptable.
I got my licence in April 2013 and have held it for 4 years. I have also done Pass Plus if that makes any difference.
Very limited limitations:
Not a big fan of chav hot hatches. Again whilst this is subjective, I mean cars such as Corsa VXRs, Astra VXRs, Saxos.
Not a big fan of city cars such as the C1 or 108, as they are a bit tin canny for me. A bit basic and not very refined.
Not a big fan of Peugeots- bit of a mum's car. Also HATE the tiny steering wheel on the new models.
Not the biggest fan of ordinary Fiestas- Zetec S or ST are possibilities though
Not a big fan of Minis- don't like the central speedo
Not the biggest fan of Toyotas- they're brilliant tech and safety wise, but not really very cool
Coming out of university in September, and need some car advice. Has to be reasonable insurance, build quality, running costs etc., but also fun and a bit sporty and possibly a bit different from the standard cars that young people have. Not too picky on age, but obviously not super old and rusty.
Budget wise: anything up to £5-6k
I'm opening up the suggestions right open. Anything from city cars to coupes to executives to family cars is acceptable.
I got my licence in April 2013 and have held it for 4 years. I have also done Pass Plus if that makes any difference.
Very limited limitations:
Not a big fan of chav hot hatches. Again whilst this is subjective, I mean cars such as Corsa VXRs, Astra VXRs, Saxos.
Not a big fan of city cars such as the C1 or 108, as they are a bit tin canny for me. A bit basic and not very refined.
Not a big fan of Peugeots- bit of a mum's car. Also HATE the tiny steering wheel on the new models.
Not the biggest fan of ordinary Fiestas- Zetec S or ST are possibilities though
Not a big fan of Minis- don't like the central speedo
Not the biggest fan of Toyotas- they're brilliant tech and safety wise, but not really very cool
Edited by jkk45 on Wednesday 17th May 01:10
I'd recommend an Alfa GT, either a BlackLine or Cloverleaf - most of which (if not all?) are fitted with the 1.9 JTDm 16v lump - so isn't bad on insurance (I have that lump in an Alfa 159, which I bought at 22). Without checking the classifieds you're likely to find a fairly decent example within budget, in my experience they're extremely reliable, my old man's 2008 is currently on 225,000 miles. Only routine maintenance at that point (wheel bearings, wishbones etc).
Rare(ish), unusual(ish) and sit very well if they're specced right, bright blue cloverleaf is my favourite.
Rare(ish), unusual(ish) and sit very well if they're specced right, bright blue cloverleaf is my favourite.
Options:
Loaded Clio GT Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Or the Megane GT Line (hard to find in coupe form)
1.4T Petrol
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
1.6dci
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Volvo C30 2.0 R Design Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
1.6 Version of the above.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Get some quotes so you have a clearer idea of what is reasonable insurance wise.
Loaded Clio GT Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Or the Megane GT Line (hard to find in coupe form)
1.4T Petrol
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
1.6dci
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Volvo C30 2.0 R Design Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
1.6 Version of the above.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Get some quotes so you have a clearer idea of what is reasonable insurance wise.
You have had your licence for 4 years and done pass plus but have you driven for those 4 years? 4 years NCB makes a huge difference to insurace costs when trying to figure out what you might consider 'reasonable'.
Insurance is hard for us to predict so you are better off running a few trial quotes through comparison sites when you come across cars you like as it can vary on a number of factors including your location, your job etc. and isn't always as cheap or expensive as you might think.
If you want to consider an executive car will you have the means to fix it should it go wrong? Being able to afford a car that was £40K new is one thing but being able to afford the parts to fix it when something breaks is another. Likewise with tax and running costs - these are generally higher than on a regular hatchback so if you are considering them then that is why some of my choices have higher tax and lower mpg.
With such an open brief it's hard to pin down something you might like so here is an equally wide ranging selection from the classifieds.
Renault Megane R26 LINK
Skoda Octavia vRS LINK
Subaru Legacy Spec B LINK
Nissan 350Z LINK
BMW 645Ci LINK
And if all else fails ... Mazda MX5 LINK
Insurance is hard for us to predict so you are better off running a few trial quotes through comparison sites when you come across cars you like as it can vary on a number of factors including your location, your job etc. and isn't always as cheap or expensive as you might think.
If you want to consider an executive car will you have the means to fix it should it go wrong? Being able to afford a car that was £40K new is one thing but being able to afford the parts to fix it when something breaks is another. Likewise with tax and running costs - these are generally higher than on a regular hatchback so if you are considering them then that is why some of my choices have higher tax and lower mpg.
With such an open brief it's hard to pin down something you might like so here is an equally wide ranging selection from the classifieds.
Renault Megane R26 LINK
Skoda Octavia vRS LINK
Subaru Legacy Spec B LINK
Nissan 350Z LINK
BMW 645Ci LINK
And if all else fails ... Mazda MX5 LINK
Edited by Defconluke on Wednesday 17th May 21:03
How about an Abarth 595 - hot hatch but not one that you mention above. Stands out form the crowd a bit moer than the usual suspects. Loads around for your budget:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
jkk45 said:
Hi guys,
Has to be reasonable insurance, build quality, running costs etc., but also fun and a bit sporty and possibly a bit different from the standard.
I'm opening up the suggestions right open. Anything from city cars to coupes to executives to family cars is acceptable.
Not a big fan of chav hot hatches.
Not a big fan of city cars such
Not a big fan of Peugeots
Not the biggest fan of ordinary Fiestas- Zetec S or ST are possibilities though
Not a big fan of Minis
Not the biggest fan of Toyotas
Serious question, why do you say you are open to suggestions from city cars to family cars but then list that you dont want a city car as they are tiny, you don't want a hatchback because they are chav and don't want Toyota because they are boring. You also say you don't want old and rusty so is it fair to presume number plates matter to you. Has to be reasonable insurance, build quality, running costs etc., but also fun and a bit sporty and possibly a bit different from the standard.
I'm opening up the suggestions right open. Anything from city cars to coupes to executives to family cars is acceptable.
Not a big fan of chav hot hatches.
Not a big fan of city cars such
Not a big fan of Peugeots
Not the biggest fan of ordinary Fiestas- Zetec S or ST are possibilities though
Not a big fan of Minis
Not the biggest fan of Toyotas
I can't stand all this nonsense about cars being CHAV and why a good popular car can't be considered because of what a tiny number of weirdos think. At 22 hot hatches, coupes an cabriolets should be top of the list of cars to be exploring, Golf Gtis, Seat Cupras, Focus St are all very good. Inless of course a fast estate like an Audi S4 avant or Subaru legacy, Gallant vr4, Nissan Stagea or similar big Turbo brutes appeal?
Regarding Toyota, a Celica or Mr2 are well worth considering as you can get great examples of both for half your budget! They are certainly NOT boring!!
What about coupes like Honda Integra/prelude? Excellent Fwd chassis, or try rwd in the form of BMW E46 coupes or Mercedes clk/slk
Strudul said:
Chav typically equals high insurance...
Um, an unemployed bum living in a council estate pays more for insurance than a university graduate living in a nice area regardless of the car...I agree there are some examples of a 22 year old getting odd quotes on old Jaguars that are the same as Corsa VXRs but in general a 22 should not struggle to insure a 10 year old Golf GTI.
aka_kerrly said:
Um, an unemployed bum living in a council estate pays more for insurance than a university graduate living in a nice area regardless of the car...
I agree there are some examples of a 22 year old getting odd quotes on old Jaguars that are the same as Corsa VXRs but in general a 22 should not struggle to insure a 10 year old Golf GTI.
What do you mean regardless of car??? The car statistics plays a major role in the insurance premium calculation.I agree there are some examples of a 22 year old getting odd quotes on old Jaguars that are the same as Corsa VXRs but in general a 22 should not struggle to insure a 10 year old Golf GTI.
Hence at 22, my 350Z (non-chavy car) insurance is only £700, but for a Subaru WRX or Evo (chavy cars), it was >£2k.
When checking prices, I could get insured on a 5L+ Merc or Bimmer for ~£700 too.
The car makes the biggest difference.
Strudul said:
What do you mean regardless of car??? The car statistics plays a major role in the insurance premium calculation.
Hence at 22, my 350Z (non-chavy car) insurance is only £700, but for a Subaru WRX or Evo (chavy cars), it was >£2k.
When checking prices, I could get insured on a 5L+ Merc or Bimmer for ~£700 too.
The car makes the biggest difference.
I mean that a unemployed person living in a crap area (chav) pays for example £2k for a Golf Gti, the same age person with the same driving experience living in a better area with a job will pay less. Hence at 22, my 350Z (non-chavy car) insurance is only £700, but for a Subaru WRX or Evo (chavy cars), it was >£2k.
When checking prices, I could get insured on a 5L+ Merc or Bimmer for ~£700 too.
The car makes the biggest difference.
The stats can also be screwed for some cars due to rarity. There are many more Impreza Wrxs in the country than there are Nissan 350 so its quite feasible that far less young people have made claims on 350s than Wrx.
The same goes for quotes on old 5l Mercedes-Benz an 7 series Bmws, far fewer compared with a C class or 3 series hence less claims statistics.
aka_kerrly said:
I mean that a unemployed person living in a crap area (chav) pays for example £2k for a Golf Gti, the same age person with the same driving experience living in a better area with a job will pay less.
The stats can also be screwed for some cars due to rarity. There are many more Impreza Wrxs in the country than there are Nissan 350 so its quite feasible that far less young people have made claims on 350s than Wrx.
The same goes for quotes on old 5l Mercedes-Benz an 7 series Bmws, far fewer compared with a C class or 3 series hence less claims statistics.
Yes, chavs will pay more, but the type of cars they typically pick will have worse stats and cost more for everyoneThe stats can also be screwed for some cars due to rarity. There are many more Impreza Wrxs in the country than there are Nissan 350 so its quite feasible that far less young people have made claims on 350s than Wrx.
The same goes for quotes on old 5l Mercedes-Benz an 7 series Bmws, far fewer compared with a C class or 3 series hence less claims statistics.
E.g.:
Chav in chav car: £2.5k
Chav in non-chav car: £1.5k
Non-chav in chav car: £2k
Non-chav in non-chav car: £1k
350z aren't that rare compared to WRX / Evos if you compare it to 1 generation.
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&...
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&...
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