First ‘proper’ car for a young petrolhead
First ‘proper’ car for a young petrolhead
Author
Discussion

Hendo153

Original Poster:

8 posts

91 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Hi guys,

I’m currently 20 with a few months of being 21, I’ve driven a Toyota Yaris and a corsa since I was 17 to get up my NCB to 2 years, it’s only 2 as I spent my first year as a named driver, it’s now got to the point where I want to upgrade and buy something I can properly get involved with, ideally something I can tinker with a lot myself.

I love the idea of an mx5, I’m currently going to be using one as of next week as my poor little corsa has broken down and doesn’t have any life left in it. The boy racer vibe doesn’t really appeal to me I ideally want to get a car and tastefully modify it over time as I begin to get used to how it is, if I get bored etc. Are there any other cars you recommend for my first real car.

Cheers in advance

Jack

J4CKO

45,355 posts

220 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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Hi, my son is 22, he got a Fiesta ST after using our C1 for a spell, loves it.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

218 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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S2000 is very hard to overlook the engine the looks the handling

Plus appreciating classic.

Berkshire bred

985 posts

95 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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I bought and insured a mk2 mx5 at 18 and cannot recomend it enough. Easily modified and a great following full of helpful experience and advice.

Royce44

395 posts

133 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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Welshbeef said:
S2000 is very hard to overlook the engine the looks the handling

Plus appreciating classic.
Plus the Appreciating insurance on them.

Or is that just me?

Hendo153

Original Poster:

8 posts

91 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Yeah I’d looked at the fiesta st’s I don’t like the 2018 models but hopefully come September I might be able to get a good deal on an old model, I do really like s2000s I may have to give it a look as to whether that’s feasible.

I do like some older cars, my dad passed away a few years ago and once had an irmscher manta the exclusive and loved it and told me how it was his favourite car he ever owned, I have the pictures up on the wall, other than that I grew up with my uncle owning a ford Capri which would be a dream but it’s likely that’s all it will remain.

Tickle

5,849 posts

224 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
MK3 MR2 or as said MX5 or S2000. Not sure on your insurance on an S2000 though, probably more than the toyota or mazda.

Hendo153

Original Poster:

8 posts

91 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Yeah I was shocked at what I got for the mx5 at the moment, swapping from a 1.4 corsa to a 1.8 mx5 is going to cost me 100 quid with no black box making it 800 in total hoping it would be even cheaper when I finally turn 21

Hendo153

Original Poster:

8 posts

91 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Berkshire bred said:
I bought and insured a mk2 mx5 at 18 and cannot recomend it enough. Easily modified and a great following full of helpful experience and advice.
Was it a 1.8 or 1.6, I wouldn’t know with an mx5 what year to buy what mileage etc, I know I just need to be wary with front chassis and sills rusting, I’ve just spent the weekend welding the front chassis on the one I’m borrowing from my cousin for a while

raining_sulphur

391 posts

210 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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Abarth cool

LooneyTunes

8,634 posts

178 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Royce44 said:
Welshbeef said:
S2000 is very hard to overlook the engine the looks the handling

Plus appreciating classic.
Plus the Appreciating insurance on them.

Or is that just me?
Not just you... was stunned when I was quoted considerably more for an S2000 than a Cerbera... around double if memory serves correctly. Great cars though.

197.

992 posts

126 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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I bought a Clio 197 at 20 and absolutely love it. More than enough power to have fun and not get in (too much) trouble imo.

anonymous-user

74 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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Get the Manta! It’ll be nostalgic, and have some meaning to you as well.

anonymous-user

74 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
LooneyTunes said:
Not just you... was stunned when I was quoted considerably more for an S2000 than a Cerbera... around double if memory serves correctly. Great cars though.
Time for the OP to get a Cerb.. would be the world’s coolest teenager 20 year old

ringsound

662 posts

128 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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NA MX-5, mechanically simple, and also fun to drive
it is not my first car, but the first car I feel like being a car enthusiastic, some early Honda are also very simple like EK9 or EP3, but I bet their insurance isnt as cheap as MX-5 and very difficult to find one haven't been molest

LarsG

991 posts

95 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Hendo153 said:
Hi guys,

I’m currently 20 with a few months of being 21, I’ve driven a Toyota Yaris and a corsa since I was 17 to get up my NCB to 2 years, it’s only 2 as I spent my first year as a named driver, it’s now got to the point where I want to upgrade and buy something I can properly get involved with, ideally something I can tinker with a lot myself.

I love the idea of an mx5, I’m currently going to be using one as of next week as my poor little corsa has broken down and doesn’t have any life left in it. The boy racer vibe doesn’t really appeal to me I ideally want to get a car and tastefully modify it over time as I begin to get used to how it is, if I get bored etc. Are there any other cars you recommend for my first real car.

Cheers in advance

Jack
A hidden gem, insurance friendly Ford Focus 1.6 Ecoboost 180. 0-60 7.9 sec and top end of around 139mph.

Even better for insurance costs is the same car with the 150bhp, 0-60 8.2 and 135mph.

While not an ST, it's fast enough, fun to drive and you can get it in Titanium X trim. Plus he insurance groups is normal and it seats 5

They do a 1.5 version too.

LooneyTunes

8,634 posts

178 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
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I’ve heard worse ideas... Chimera might be worth a look too, and perhaps a bit easier to work on. Can’t turn out any more ruinous than my early purchases...

anonymous-user

74 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
If the insurance and purchase/running cost is feasible I would suggest a 350Z: still very fast, RWD, N/A V6, great sound, build quality and tuneable; these N/A screamers won't be around forever! Could be a great car for enhancing your balance, handling and feel skills, especially in all weathers.

If you're anything like me, over the next few years you may find yourself getting bored with cars quite easily as you progress in enthusiasm (and become more willing to throw more money at them!). Make sure you pick something that can keep you engaged and won't lose you too much if you flip it for the next thing.

Although, I wouldn't be disappointed with a 197!

LarsG

991 posts

95 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
LooneyTunes said:
I’ve heard worse ideas... Chimera might be worth a look too, and perhaps a bit easier to work on. Can’t turn out any more ruinous than my early purchases...
My first car was T reg 1979 Alfasud 1.5 ti. There is nothing more ruinous and stupid that that purchase. It cost me £100's in filler paste. Hoe I wish I had bought the RS2000 instead, at least I could have pretended I was Bodie or Doyle.

defblade

7,919 posts

233 months

Monday 21st May 2018
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Hendo153 said:
I do like some older cars, my dad passed away a few years ago and once had an irmscher manta the exclusive and loved it and told me how it was his favourite car he ever owned, I have the pictures up on the wall, other than that I grew up with my uncle owning a ford Capri which would be a dream but it’s likely that’s all it will remain.
Your Dad had good taste. The Exclusive - a car so lovely, even the cat wanted to help polish it wink





Also, doesn't suffer from Old Ford Tax, which is becoming higher and higher. And it's much better than a Crapi in every way wink Buy one!
(Or an MX-5... they're good, too!).