First car help

[gearboxwarrior]

Hello,
I am soon to be 17 and am looking at some cars that I might be interested in. I would like my car to look fairly nice and sporty and have a bit of poke but not too much, it also needs to be an affordable price to insure. I have looked and found an 09 registration 1.6 renault clio gt for £2000 which is looking like a good option at the minute.
I would like a car that is around this price, can go up to an absolute maximum of £3000 but would prefer around £2500 as my limit, it should also be 09 reg or newer. I would not like anyone to suggest cars older than an 09 reg.

Thank you.

[RSTurboPaul]

If you haven't already done so, it would be useful if you played with the various insurance websites to see what various cars might cost to insure - that might rule some out straight from the off!

[gearboxwarrior]

RSTurboPaul said:

If you haven't already done so, it would be useful if you played with the various insurance websites to see what various cars might cost to insure - that might rule some out straight from the off!

I've had a look and it's mainly the ones with the relevant sports name in them that are expensive, fr, vrs, st

[RacerMDR]

if was young again - I think i'd be looking at something classic, cool and workable on.........I believe the insurance is more favourable too.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C935716

I know it's more than budget - so not this one - but of that ilk - but in worse condition

I ignored your not older than 09 because I don't agree!

[911gone]

Whatever you decide to buy, remember that anyone can drive fast, it's whether you can stop quickly that counts!

If you like to play with cars and as you are on the forum I'll assume you do, then save some money for mods that will allow you to customise the car to your own tastes without upsetting the insurance company. So NOS is out of the equation!

Lastly, buy on condition and service history. Mileage shouldn't be a worry with modern cars. Remember also that you can look at the MOT history to get a feel for how well the car has been looked after and whether it has had any major problems.

[gearboxwarrior]

911gone said:

Whatever you decide to buy, remember that anyone can drive fast, it's whether you can stop quickly that counts!

If you like to play with cars and as you are on the forum I'll assume you do, then save some money for mods that will allow you to customise the car to your own tastes without upsetting the insurance company. So NOS is out of the equation!

Lastly, buy on condition and service history. Mileage shouldn't be a worry with modern cars. Remember also that you can look at the MOT history to get a feel for how well the car has been looked after and whether it has had any major problems.

Thank you for the comments, I won't be modifying my car in any way though, I don't like the idea of being a boy racer.

[gearboxwarrior]

RacerMDR said:

if was young again - I think i'd be looking at something classic, cool and workable on.........I believe the insurance is more favourable too.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C935716

I know it's more than budget - so not this one - but of that ilk - but in worse condition

I ignored your not older than 09 because I don't agree!

Can't get an insurance quote on it because of the age but thanks anyway

[Toed64]

The insurance tip above is very sensible...

Soon after passing her test, a young colleague bought a 1 litre Lupo. I was OK until someone smashed into her 3 months later. She replaced it with a 1.4 Polo of the same year and her insurance premium went down by £300 per year!

I like the idea of a classic, but if you can't get insurance cover I'd recommend a 1.4 Toyota Corolla of about 12 years old. My God Son passed his test a few months ago and his £750 Corolla costs him less to insure than his elder sister pays for her 2007 Punto, even though she has been driving for 2 years. It's also reliable...unlike the Punto!

[ayman82]

What's with the 09 and younger parameters?

[gearboxwarrior]

ayman82 said:

What's with the 09 and younger parameters?

It's just my preference I know people will disagree with me but that's just my opinion

[ZX10R NIN]

Fiat Grande Punto T Jet

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa Mito Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's hard to look past the Clio GT/Gordini when you consider spec & performance.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[MorganP104]

ZX10R NIN said:

Fiat Grande Punto T Jet

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa Mito Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's hard to look past the Clio GT/Gordini when you consider spec & performance.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another great "what car" post by ZX10R NIN. I feel like a one-man fan club for this guy sometimes.

Of the above, and if I were 17, I'd go for the Alfa MiTo. Love him or hate him, Clarkson was on the money when he said every petrolhead needs to own an Alfa at least once. I've had one (Alfa 166 V6, not a MiTo), and can confirm the tall man with pubic hair on his head was indeed correct. I loved my Alfa, and many people I know have loved theirs.

You have the rest of your life to drive ordinary cars. Get an Alfa before circumstance dictates you need an MPV (trust me, it catches up with you sooner than you think!)

Bon chance, mon ami.

[ZX10R NIN]

Cheers mate the Mito is a good pick & below group 10.

[gearboxwarrior]

ZX10R NIN said:

Fiat Grande Punto T Jet

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa Mito Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's hard to look past the Clio GT/Gordini when you consider spec & performance.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks for the amount of dedication that has went into this comment, I appreciate the effort and the alfa could be an interesting choice as it is only £1700 to insure

[ZX10R NIN]

gearboxwarrior said:

Thanks for the amount of dedication that has went into this comment, I appreciate the effort and the alfa could be an interesting choice as it is only £1700 to insure

No problem glad to have given you a few more options, they come in 5 different power levels 95/105/120/140/155bhp all from the same 1.4 (same as in the 500 & T Jet) if you hunt around you might find one with Leather interior.

Like this (95bhp Model) one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

140bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

155bhp Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[SB8999]

On a post that I started a while ago, some people suggested a ford puma, which wasn't entirely to my taste but it might work for you? Or just wait for some other suggestions?

[gearboxwarrior]

SB8999 said:

On a post that I started a while ago, some people suggested a ford puma, which wasn't entirely to my taste but it might work for you? Or just wait for some other suggestions?

Thanks, I will have a look into these, does anyone have any other suggestions?