First Car Advice?

[Jack1340]

I am on the look out for my first car for when I turn 17 in the autumn.

I was looking more at the classic car market for insurance wise and want something that looks good customized.

I have been working on cars and motorbikes all my life so I am not fussed about the work

Any suggestions on what to look out for?

[Ki3r]

One thing I would suggest is to get insurance quotes first, before buying any car. It amazes me when people buy a car and don't look into this.

My first car was a Fiat Punto (2001). Was pretty good for a first car I thought (apart from the baby blue colour) and that it was always breaking. Cheapish to insure (£1,000 for me at 18, a few years ago though).

[Grenoble]

Something that doesn't attract a 5x multiplier to your insurance once modified.

Otherwise, go low group (think SEAT Arosa) or Ka. Keep it cheap for two years, then build up. Classic insurance will be hard at your age, as it looks like a dodge to the insurer, even if it isn't.

[hoyin]

Exactly that ....

I bought my first car based on insurance costs.

The differences can be amazing.

[Jack1340]

Pretty much considering any cheap at the moment but a mini may be the best option

[Ved]

Search for '924 first car' in Readers Cars. You might be in the same situation so worth having a read. If anything it's entertaining.

[BoRED S2upid]

A massive old Merc or Volvo you might be pleased by what the insurance computer says its not going to be a normal premium thats for sure.

[lindrup119]

Mini insured with Footman James. Worked a treat for me from 17-19.

[littlebasher]

A Skoda Fabia?

[samdale]

My first car was the cheapest I could find to insure after trying loads of different quotes for different cars. A Volvo 360.

As has been said get quotes first and buy a car accordingly. It's very unlikely you'll find something "cool" that you can insure. Be very careful with mods. Not declared and you'll find yourself uninsured. Declared to the insurance co and you'll find yourself bent over a barrel on your insurance quote.

[Jack1340]

Would something bigger like a series 1 or 2 landrover be cheaper to insure than the sportier or smaller cars?

[300bhp/ton]

Jack1340 said:

I am on the look out for my first car for when I turn 17 in the autumn.

I was looking more at the classic car market for insurance wise and want something that looks good customized.

I have been working on cars and motorbikes all my life so I am not fussed about the work

Any suggestions on what to look out for?

Morris Minor. Practical, look good modded, cheap to run an maintain, easy to buy a good one for sensible money. And easy to up the power. A Rover K-Series engine swap or Ford Duratec swap is pretty easy in them and you can then attain Lotus Elise like power and weight.

[LuS1fer]

Old cars drive like old cars and therein lies the drawback.
I started in 1977 with a 1964 car. Most of the cars I've had might now be considered "classics" but I sure as hell wouldn't choose to drive them now - they were disappointing enough back then and it was a constant fight with rust.

If I were you, I'd be looking at something like a 1980s Peugeot 205 - maybe an XS. I even had a Saxo 1.5 diesel as a hire car once and that was amazingly likeable.

As people say, modifying is a no-no when insuring.

[Grenoble]

LuS1fer said:

If I were you, I'd be looking at something like a 1980s Peugeot 205 - maybe an XS. I even had a Saxo 1.5 diesel as a hire car once and that was amazingly likeable.

As people say, modifying is a no-no when insuring.

205XS or 205XD would both be good calls. Ignoring their power, they are pretty light and very good down the twisty stuff.

[campaj1]

Jack1340 said:

I am on the look out for my first car for when I turn 17 in the autumn.

I was looking more at the classic car market for insurance wise and want something that looks good customized.

I have been working on cars and motorbikes all my life so I am not fussed about the work

Any suggestions on what to look out for?

ok you want to do what I do and get a Mini.
I run a 1997 MPI, which is pretty plush for a Mini and has an airbag to console worried parents, also is great fun to drive compared to some of the sluggish Euroboxes out there.

If you do the same though make sure that you don't get a Cooper, as insurers hear that word and double your premium! Mine is a standard MPI, which is actually just as quick as they rationalised the engine range near the end, it just has different alloys from the minilites and doesn't have spotlights/stripes/roof. The interior is also a little nicer IMO for my car.

If insurances prices are an issue (lets face it they always are!) then you could either do what I do: temporary insurance, or you could find a tidy 850, which are actually becoming quite rare for the right price, or more probably, a 998. A Mini City should fit the bill nicely.

Another thing, buy on condition rather than mileage. My car looked completely immaculate at first, one lady owner 12,750 miles (Same as the capacity!) but some bits of tinworm still presented theirselves in the end, so make sure that underseal isn't hiding a world of sins! Also hose underneath every so often to get rid of road crap, which can be a particular problem in salty Cheshire!

[LuS1fer]

I've also had a Mini. Handling is great. Build quality is poor. Long distance they are bumpy and noisy and despite light weight, they are still underpowered. I never really understood the appeal of a Mini when you could get a bigger, better car for the same money. Having had a Mini, I have never felt the urge to repeat the experience.

With what I actually had to spend on mine in terms of replacing little bits, fairly regularly, it eneded up cheaper to run a Scirocco GTI which never needed anything replacing.

[JimminyBob]

lindrup119 said:

Mini insured with Footman James. Worked a treat for me from 17-19.

Footman James have stopped insuring people under 25 now. I'd agree with a Mini too though, cheap insurance and good fun. Try to get one that's in decent condition so you don't have to spend loads of money on welding and new panels though.

[campaj1]

LuS1fer said:

I've also had a Mini. Handling is great. Build quality is poor. Long distance they are bumpy and noisy and despite light weight, they are still underpowered. I never really understood the appeal of a Mini when you could get a bigger, better car for the same money. Having had a Mini, I have never felt the urge to repeat the experience.

With what I actually had to spend on mine in terms of replacing little bits, fairly regularly, it eneded up cheaper to run a Scirocco GTI which never needed anything replacing.

yup true
a £300 bill for changing master and slave cylinders
a £140 bill for welding (inconclusive)

it all adds up: this is the disadvantage of a classic

[campaj1]

you need a £1000 disaster fund really

[m4tti]

Get your self a Volkswagen group car from about 1998 onwards. For example a 1 litre polo, then stick vag com on a lap top and save yourself a fair bit in expenses to off set your insurance.