First car? Open to “alternative” choices

[LandOTheBrave]

Recently passed my test and while not in a huge rush (lol), I am hoping to get a car in the next month or so tops. Budget wise i’m aiming 3500 ish all in, so about 1500 on the car 1800-2000 on insurance. I’m not too picky but just want something solid, fairly economical and modern. I’m really open to going for a less common type of car so the insurance isn’t as bad. I do like the look of Volvo C30s but in regards to it as an actual car I’d appreciate some knowledge on how they are mechanically and nvh. Also like Ford Focus, seems at this price range would be a 2008 or thereabouts on. Going to have family members on insurance so whilst I like 2 doors, a 5 door could be handy if they need to use it but not a dealbreaker. Current family car is a 2009, would be nice to get something bit more modern although don’t think I can for this much money. I’m after something focus sized instead of fiesta, or even a small saloon like Mondeo. I’ve seen S40s cheap no idea if they’re any good, SAABs too.

Edited by LandOTheBrave on Thursday 27th May 11:15

[ZX10R NIN]

Engine size will be the big deal breaker insurance wise so you'll want to near 100bhp, as a side note C30's seem to come out high on insurance.

1.4 Astra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...

1.6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104271...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...

Mazda3 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105122...

C4 VTR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...

[WonkeyDonkey]

I had the same criteria as you looking for my first car in 2010. Ended up getting bored to tears looking at hatchbacks and ended up with a 2004 MX5!

Was reasonable on insurance and fantastically reliable. Not massively practical though!

[LandOTheBrave]

ZX10R NIN said:

Engine size will be the big deal breaker insurance wise so you'll want to near 100bhp, as a side note C30's seem to come out high on insurance.

1.4 Astra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...

1.6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104271...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...

Mazda3 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105122...

C4 VTR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...

Thanks for the suggestions. Not bad cars though i’m looking for something a bit more modern. Not got much money to work with I understand but would still like something a bit smarter especially if it means going for something leftfield. I’ve ran quotes on c30s, focus, around 1800-2500 not too bad since that’s without anyone else on it. Is there any other cars you’d recommend?

[LandOTheBrave]

WonkeyDonkey said:

I had the same criteria as you looking for my first car in 2010. Ended up getting bored to tears looking at hatchbacks and ended up with a 2004 MX5!

Was reasonable on insurance and fantastically reliable. Not massively practical though!

Would definitely want to try an mx5 at some point although yeah too impractical for the now

[Timoo]

What exactly do you mean by “more modern”?

A quick look on autotrader setting a budget of £2k shows the most “modern” car you could get with sensible mileage would be a 2012 plate. However these are all small cars such as clios or corsas so you’re going to have to compromise somewhere I’m afraid.

You’re not going to get much more modern than the Vauxhall’s ZX10 posted above, VX tend to be one of the best value makes in relation to the age of their cars.

My suggestion would be a petrol Honda Civic if insurance works out alright, reliable and cheap to run.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105232...

If insurance is cheap for them, it might be worth looking at the 1.8 engine as at least then you can have a bit of fun.

Edited by Timoo on Friday 28th May 01:16

[RSTurboPaul]

Panda 100hp?

[Oilchange]

Panda was my second thought, Mito first. The 0.9 twinair. Gutsy little motor for the size and you will get a good insurance quote on it but the cheapest on Auto trader is about £2800

[LandOTheBrave]

Timoo said:

What exactly do you mean by “more modern”?

A quick look on autotrader setting a budget of £2k shows the most “modern” car you could get with sensible mileage would be a 2012 plate. However these are all small cars such as clios or corsas so you’re going to have to compromise somewhere I’m afraid.

You’re not going to get much more modern than the Vauxhall’s ZX10 posted above, VX tend to be one of the best value makes in relation to the age of their cars.

My suggestion would be a petrol Honda Civic if insurance works out alright, reliable and cheap to run.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105232...

If insurance is cheap for them, it might be worth looking at the 1.8 engine as at least then you can have a bit of fun.

Edited by Timoo on Friday 28th May 01:16

I don’t mind an older car but then i’d want it bit more solid. Not going to lie whilst I like how those old Astras just not into vauxhall. I am a fan of those civics and family members have had them previously so if the insurance wasn’t too bad i’d go for it. Megane 3 insurance seems decent. Insurance on Focus seems to vary quite a bit.

[Pastie Bloater]

LandOTheBrave said:

Would definitely want to try an mx5 at some point although yeah too impractical for the now

If as a second car remember any no-claims bonus you've built up can only be applied to one car (unless you build a second one up too).
I had an MX5 on the driveway before realising this

[LandOTheBrave]

RSTurboPaul said:

Panda 100hp?

Oilchange said:

Panda was my second thought, Mito first. The 0.9 twinair. Gutsy little motor for the size and you will get a good insurance quote on it but the cheapest on Auto trader is about £2800

I did think of the Panda, although I think I want to go for something that’s smooth, pretty sure they’re a bit stiff? Mito’s look nice too but yeah seem more expensive. Been browsing Focus, Civic, C30, Megane. Looks about two grand insurance or thereabouts though that’s without any other drivers so will go down a bit when I actually do it. Am I missing anything else? Like I said would definitely be open to something more Mondeo sized than a hatchback and get something that could be easier to insurance as it’s less chosen

Edited by LandOTheBrave on Friday 28th May 01:47

[ZX10R NIN]

LandOTheBrave said:

Thanks for the suggestions. Not bad cars though i’m looking for something a bit more modern. Not got much money to work with I understand but would still like something a bit smarter especially if it means going for something leftfield. I’ve ran quotes on c30s, focus, around 1800-2500 not too bad since that’s without anyone else on it. Is there any other cars you’d recommend?

You're either going to have to raise your budget or lower your expectations in terms of newness.

What do you mean by more modern?

[Martin30]

When my eldest was looking for a first car two years ago with a similar budget, the 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol C30 was a standout in terms of lowest insurance - any of the more powerful engines were significantly more.

You want to look for something that has as much safety kit as possible, so think NCAP ratings and particularly anything with autonomous emergency braking (you need new-ish for that). The scary claim for insurers is you, and four mates upside down into a tree with the corresponding whole life care costs after that. You *might* find that something 3 or 4 years old with better safety kit may be £2k more to buy, but will save that in 2 years of insurance.

As said above, two seaters can occasionally be cheaper as you cannot fit 4 mates in. After his first year with no-claims, the MK1 Audi TT was surprisingly reasonable for the performance.

I am surprised to hear £2k for insurance, but that depends where you live I guess. My son's was about £900 for his first year on an inherited Peugeot 207 1.4.

I assume you are accepting you will be having a black box/telematics policy?

Martin.

[RSTurboPaul]

Personally I would pay more to avoid a black box... lol

[LandOTheBrave]

Martin30 said:

When my eldest was looking for a first car two years ago with a similar budget, the 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol C30 was a standout in terms of lowest insurance - any of the more powerful engines were significantly more.

You want to look for something that has as much safety kit as possible, so think NCAP ratings and particularly anything with autonomous emergency braking (you need new-ish for that). The scary claim for insurers is you, and four mates upside down into a tree with the corresponding whole life care costs after that. You *might* find that something 3 or 4 years old with better safety kit may be £2k more to buy, but will save that in 2 years of insurance.

As said above, two seaters can occasionally be cheaper as you cannot fit 4 mates in. After his first year with no-claims, the MK1 Audi TT was surprisingly reasonable for the performance.

I am surprised to hear £2k for insurance, but that depends where you live I guess. My son's was about £900 for his first year on an inherited Peugeot 207 1.4.

I assume you are accepting you will be having a black box/telematics policy?

Martin.

I’m in Glasgow, the 2k is just with me on it which isn’t bad as main driver imo. When the time comes i’d put family members on it so it’d lower a bit.

ZX10R NIN said:

LandOTheBrave said:

Thanks for the suggestions. Not bad cars though i’m looking for something a bit more modern. Not got much money to work with I understand but would still like something a bit smarter especially if it means going for something leftfield. I’ve ran quotes on c30s, focus, around 1800-2500 not too bad since that’s without anyone else on it. Is there any other cars you’d recommend?

You're either going to have to raise your budget or lower your expectations in terms of newness.

What do you mean by more modern?

Family currently use an 09 3 series as a family car, i’d like my car to be at least as “modern” or just not feel ancient compared to that lol. Although I understand slim pickings at this budget

RSTurboPaul said:

Personally I would pay more to avoid a black box... lol

Yeah that’s with no black box, no way i’m getting one. To be honest doing quotes not many of them actually come up with black box, and the ones that do aren’t that much cheaper than without. I’m 22 so perhaps it isn’t as bad as if I was 17

[RSTurboPaul]

LandOTheBrave said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Panda 100hp?

Oilchange said:

Panda was my second thought, Mito first. The 0.9 twinair. Gutsy little motor for the size and you will get a good insurance quote on it but the cheapest on Auto trader is about £2800

I did think of the Panda, although I think I want to go for something that’s smooth, pretty sure they’re a bit stiff? Mito’s look nice too but yeah seem more expensive. Been browsing Focus, Civic, C30, Megane. Looks about two grand insurance or thereabouts though that’s without any other drivers so will go down a bit when I actually do it. Am I missing anything else? Like I said would definitely be open to something more Mondeo sized than a hatchback and get something that could be easier to insurance as it’s less chosen

Edited by LandOTheBrave on Friday 28th May 01:47

The Panda's do seem to be, er, 'firmly sprung' from what I've read lol

Being young is the perfect excuse to have a car that rides like a go-kart


Have you thought about a Mini, sorry, a MINI? Plenty of options, the lower power versions should hopefully be pretty reasonable to insure as there are so many of the bloody things, lol.


EDIT: Forgot to say - 'modern' is just another way of saying 'has a lot to go wrong and cost you money' so don't be afraid to go for something older. And if the general trend reported in the motoring press is true, an older car should have more 'feel' as well, which is a good thing.

[LandOTheBrave]

RSTurboPaul said:

LandOTheBrave said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Panda 100hp?

Oilchange said:

Panda was my second thought, Mito first. The 0.9 twinair. Gutsy little motor for the size and you will get a good insurance quote on it but the cheapest on Auto trader is about £2800

I did think of the Panda, although I think I want to go for something that’s smooth, pretty sure they’re a bit stiff? Mito’s look nice too but yeah seem more expensive. Been browsing Focus, Civic, C30, Megane. Looks about two grand insurance or thereabouts though that’s without any other drivers so will go down a bit when I actually do it. Am I missing anything else? Like I said would definitely be open to something more Mondeo sized than a hatchback and get something that could be easier to insurance as it’s less chosen

Edited by LandOTheBrave on Friday 28th May 01:47

The Panda's do seem to be, er, 'firmly sprung' from what I've read lol

Being young is the perfect excuse to have a car that rides like a go-kart


Have you thought about a Mini, sorry, a MINI? Plenty of options, the lower power versions should hopefully be pretty reasonable to insure as there are so many of the bloody things, lol.


EDIT: Forgot to say - 'modern' is just another way of saying 'has a lot to go wrong and cost you money' so don't be afraid to go for something older. And if the general trend reported in the motoring press is true, an older car should have more 'feel' as well, which is a good thing.

Something go kart like would be interesting but at the moment i’d want something practical so that other people could use it when they need to. Depending on the right spec I do like a Mini, would they be sh@gged at this budget though? And what model to go for

[RSTurboPaul]

LandOTheBrave said:

Something go kart like would be interesting but at the moment i’d want something practical so that other people could use it when they need to. Depending on the right spec I do like a Mini, would they be sh@gged at this budget though? And what model to go for

The panda is a 4-door hatchback - perfectly practical

[ScoobyChris]

RSTurboPaul said:

The panda is a 4-door hatchback - perfectly practical

Yeah and because of the high seat positions, it can actually seat 4 normal-sized adults too. Does dull the performance a smidge though

Chris

[LandOTheBrave]

Ran some quotes on Cooper S and they come out around 1900 so pretty much the same as other quotes for “slower” cars. They do ride very hard but still think they’d be a smart first car. Would I get a good one for 2k ish though? I suppose needs to be a later one for cheaper road tax? I’m aware they’re not practical lol but just seems like more of a car you can get for basically same insurance as other things

Edited by LandOTheBrave on Friday 28th May 13:46