Potential First Cars

[Stokemon]

I figured you lovely people here on PistonHeads could help me with the search for my first car.

The information of interest:

I am now 20 (insurance was crazy when 17) so I can now practically afford a wider range of cars, insurance, tax ect...

The budget is quite ranging and will depend on whether I secure a industrial placement, so I would say 0-£3000

Petrol, manual!

Personally I can't take my eyes off the Ford Fiesta Zetec S (2001) but my dad reckons it is not a reliable car for a commute. So opinions and experience would be much appreciated.

Thank you

[Slow]

Barges are quite cheap insurance compared to hatchbacks.

More bhp, often rwd, much more space.

[MG CHRIS]

MX-5 end of thread.

[Jimbo.]

Stokemon said:

I figured you lovely people here on PistonHeads could help me with the search for my first car.

The information of interest:

I am now 20 (insurance was crazy when 17) so I can now practically afford a wider range of cars, insurance, tax ect...

The budget is quite ranging and will depend on whether I secure a industrial placement, so I would say 0-£3000

Petrol, manual!

Personally I can't take my eyes off the Ford Fiesta Zetec S (2001) but my dad reckons it is not a reliable car for a commute. So opinions and experience would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Nowt wrong wi' Fiestas. Hell, many argue that it's a motoring rite of passage to own one!

[deltashad]

MG CHRIS said:

MX-5 end of thread.

+1

[donaircooleone]

306 GTI-6 / D Turbo ?

Even at 20 insurance is a bit hit and miss on barges although weirdly Alfa 156's are an interesting loop hole..

[New POD]

Slow said:

Barges are quite cheap insurance compared to hatchbacks.

More bhp, often rwd, much more space.

Just Got 4 quotes to add my 20 year old student son and 17 year old student daughter on my wifes insurance. Full no claims, fully comprehensive

Mx5 (88 bhp Monza - the slowest version they made) £1700 Group 10
1.8 Cavalier Barge £1450 Group 8

She owns these 2 cars so I start with what we have. Then Look at the alternative which would require flogging the cavalier which we've had 13 years.

1.0 Lupo £1400 Group 2
1.0 Corsa £1550 Group 2.

[big_boz]

In August i flogged my wifes cousins N plate mint condition Fiesta 1.8D NA LX..GRP 5...book value £225 from CAP. 20 year old lad came to have a look, left me a deposit against the £300 sale price...he came back and told me his quote was £5k! Backed out, but i sold it to a fella who is now running it on waste Veg oil.

[RJP001]

Stokemon said:

Personally I can't take my eyes off the Ford Fiesta Zetec S (2001) but my dad reckons it is not a reliable car for a commute. So opinions and experience would be much appreciated.

Point out to him then that apart from the tweaked suspension, the engine is what you find in the Ford Focus. Just be mindful that if they've not been cared for the Sigma engine will make it known quite clearly later in life. I also don't think the oil seals on the valves last particularly long, seen a few elder Sigma powered cars lately giving the infamous puff of blue smoke on starting.

A small to medium hatchback is probably the best bet for around town/city driving. If the insurance permits however, barging (or whatever the term may be) is good for motorways and the likes of eating miles up.

[Raize]

New POD said:

Slow said:

Barges are quite cheap insurance compared to hatchbacks.

More bhp, often rwd, much more space.

Just Got 4 quotes to add my 20 year old student son and 17 year old student daughter on my wifes insurance. Full no claims, fully comprehensive

Mx5 (88 bhp Monza - the slowest version they made) £1700 Group 10
1.8 Cavalier Barge £1450 Group 8

She owns these 2 cars so I start with what we have. Then Look at the alternative which would require flogging the cavalier which we've had 13 years.

1.0 Lupo £1400 Group 2
1.0 Corsa £1550 Group 2.

And all completely void, since that's called "fronting".

[Andurron]

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/insurance/car-insura...

^ That might help you with picking which cars are worth a punt on cheap insurance. You can search by group or by car itself. My first was a Seicento which was the cheapest I could find around - more than a Ka or the like, but I wouldn't be surprised to find the barges, especially nice safe Volvos and the like giving you better returns. I imagine those more experienced and creakier than I would be able to give you more sound advice though!

[welaye]

Mazda 2 sport 1.5

[jay140285]

My first was a Landy Defender, although it was some 10yrs ago when I was 17 it was cheaper than any of my mates corsa's, metro's etc.

You will be surprised as well, at 20 I brought an ex demo L200 warrior twin cab and insured in on my own policy for just under a grand as it wasnt seen as a generic boy racer car.

[Slow]

Any car that isnt a hatchback or sportscar is lower insurance.

The absolute lowest would be like a 1.4 escort van.

[Who me ?]

he says pertol /manual . I'd say defo ,manual . But after a lifetime of petrol with diesel being a snail mobile , I got my first diesel a few years ago . Fabia 1.4TDi- Cheap to insure & run. Not exactly a hot turbo, but i give the boy racers headaches. It holds the road well . Main heavy cost is cambelt change every four years/60k. Well built .I'd say worth a look at one .

[Fantuzzi]

MR2 Mk3.

[Fox-]

Slow said:

Any car that isnt a hatchback or sportscar is lower insurance.

Errr, no.

[V8OW]

Raize said:

And all completely void, since that's called "fronting".

What, letting your kids drive your cars?

[Slow]

Fox- said:

Errr, no.

I meant similar power etc.

Like a 1.8 tdi golf is more than 1.8 tdi bora.

[Grenoble]

V8OW said:

Raize said:

And all completely void, since that's called "fronting".

What, letting your kids drive your cars?

I think with three people driving 2 cars, he might struggle to prove that she was truly the primary driver of both. With insurance it is up to the owner to prove their usage, not the insurance co to disprove.