Finally can buy my first car...help.
Discussion
Hi guys.
I’m finally in the position where I can buy my first car
I passed back in January 2016 and was quoted £11,000+ on a Renault Megane 1.6. Of course I was being silly but even when I did quotes on 1.0-1.4 litre cars I was getting prices of £3500-£4000+.
Recently I've started looking again and they've dropped massively to £1000-£1300. This is with black box, without it, its just too expensive for me.
I have a budget of £2000 but I can stretch to £2500, this include car and insurance. I was getting sensible (for my age) quotes on a 1.0 Toyota Yaris (Mk1) but I’ve done quotes on a few other cars such as Suzuki Swifts and Fiat Puntos and they’re around the same as the Yaris.
Fuel economy isn’t a massive issue for me as I won’t be doing many miles. Not fussed whether petrol or diesel, but I’m guessing mainly local driving and not many long journeys, petrol makes more sense.
What are PH’ers opinion on the Mini One (2003). Seen one advertised and could POTENTIALLY be a purchase. Also what would you recommend?
I know these type of threads pop up every hour, but I find PH to be quite informative, and I am stuck a little as to what to look out for in potential purchases etc.
I’m finally in the position where I can buy my first car
I passed back in January 2016 and was quoted £11,000+ on a Renault Megane 1.6. Of course I was being silly but even when I did quotes on 1.0-1.4 litre cars I was getting prices of £3500-£4000+.
Recently I've started looking again and they've dropped massively to £1000-£1300. This is with black box, without it, its just too expensive for me.
I have a budget of £2000 but I can stretch to £2500, this include car and insurance. I was getting sensible (for my age) quotes on a 1.0 Toyota Yaris (Mk1) but I’ve done quotes on a few other cars such as Suzuki Swifts and Fiat Puntos and they’re around the same as the Yaris.
Fuel economy isn’t a massive issue for me as I won’t be doing many miles. Not fussed whether petrol or diesel, but I’m guessing mainly local driving and not many long journeys, petrol makes more sense.
What are PH’ers opinion on the Mini One (2003). Seen one advertised and could POTENTIALLY be a purchase. Also what would you recommend?
I know these type of threads pop up every hour, but I find PH to be quite informative, and I am stuck a little as to what to look out for in potential purchases etc.
My daughter passed her test 12 months ago and has a Panda 100hp as her first car. Cost around 1200 from admiral with a black box fitted.
Cheap to buy, run, maintain and great fun with good credibility
http://www.evo.co.uk/fiat/panda/6483/fiat-panda-10...
Cheap to buy, run, maintain and great fun with good credibility
http://www.evo.co.uk/fiat/panda/6483/fiat-panda-10...
mick_coupe said:
Stick with the Yaris !
Mick
Tempted to Mick
Just that since I'e increased my budget, thought I could maybe look at something else. jas xjr said:
try getting a few quotes for something a new driver would not normally drive. something bigger but boring. maybe a saab or volvo. other people will have better ideas i an sure 
Shocked 
I've done a few quotes on a few Volvos (S40, S60) and also a Lexus IS220d. Was expecting it to be a million billion pounds, S40 was £1593, S60 was £1624 and IS220d was £1861. steve-5snwi said:
A cheap Mini will ruin you, go for a Fiesta or 206.
How? Genuinely asking. The one I've seen advertised is for £1200, 91k miles and part service history. Fore Left said:
Add a parent or two as a named driver. Should reduce the cost a bit.
Have added mum as second driver.To answer the Mini question, a 2003 Mini will go wrong more often, and more expensively, than a 2003 Yaris, or a 2003 Micra.
If you're handy with the spanners, or have a tame mechanic, no problem. There's nothing inherently wrong with an old Mini, but they just aren't as bombproof as the equivalent Japanese car.
Good shout by another poster on larger "under the radar" cars. It's not just people that are assessed for risk by insurance companies, it's cars, too. If you buy something usually driven by careful, middle-aged drivers, you'll benefit from the lower prices such demographics enjoy.
If you're handy with the spanners, or have a tame mechanic, no problem. There's nothing inherently wrong with an old Mini, but they just aren't as bombproof as the equivalent Japanese car.
Good shout by another poster on larger "under the radar" cars. It's not just people that are assessed for risk by insurance companies, it's cars, too. If you buy something usually driven by careful, middle-aged drivers, you'll benefit from the lower prices such demographics enjoy.
On the mini, powersteering rack and pump, rear lower arm bushes, radiator, thermostat, coolant tank, brake lines, rear calipers.
Don't get me wrong Minis are great but a cheap one is only going to cost you money.
A little 1.4 petrol 206 would be a good first car, head gaskets can be weak but they don't rust, are quite nippy and mine would average 45mpg. Ironically the Saab 9-5 2.3 SE that replaced it was cheaper to insure.
Don't get me wrong Minis are great but a cheap one is only going to cost you money.
A little 1.4 petrol 206 would be a good first car, head gaskets can be weak but they don't rust, are quite nippy and mine would average 45mpg. Ironically the Saab 9-5 2.3 SE that replaced it was cheaper to insure.
Hi guys.
Thanks for all the responses been good help. I’ve decided best to scrap the thought of the Mini. I’ve always liked them since they were released, but I can buy a newer one in a year or two time rather than rushing into buying one now.
Quite shocked at the ‘under the radar’ cars. I was expecting them to be £4-5000 quotes.
Thanks for all the responses been good help. I’ve decided best to scrap the thought of the Mini. I’ve always liked them since they were released, but I can buy a newer one in a year or two time rather than rushing into buying one now.
Quite shocked at the ‘under the radar’ cars. I was expecting them to be £4-5000 quotes.
Saleen836 said:
Have a look at Peugeot 107/Citroen C1/Toyota Aygo, for your £2.5k you should be able to buy a decent '05/06 model and insure it
I’d completely forgotten about the Aygo/107/C1. Initially my budget was £1500-2000, so they were over my budget. Out of all the suggestions so far, THINK these are the ones I might end up choosing. Pistonheader101 said:
Insurance is expensive as a driver, try and get some ncb on a cheapo car.
That’s the plan If I can find an Aygo/107/C1 sorta car all in for £2500 and build up my NCB, then I’m a few years I can buy a bigger car. I can’t believe how much insurance has dropped from when I first passed back in Jan 2016. It’s not exactly ‘cheap’ now but compared to back then.
Aygos might not be "proper cars" but they are still great and I couldn't think of anything better for a new driver.
Our 2007 model on 72k miles is probably worth £1,400 tops, with one previous owner and a full service history. It never goes wrong, cost £20 to tax, returns 55mpg without effort.
It's so good I can't bring myself to get rid of it.
Our 2007 model on 72k miles is probably worth £1,400 tops, with one previous owner and a full service history. It never goes wrong, cost £20 to tax, returns 55mpg without effort.
It's so good I can't bring myself to get rid of it.
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