first car? sensible?

[OBturbohead]

hi guys!
it's coming close to doing my lessons and test. my dream first car is a seat Ibiza 1.4 [100] formula sport 07/57 reg , i've looked up insurance and the prices of the car itself; that shouldn't be a problem however i just want to get some opinions on whether this car is a sensible first car. what i mean is - will it be dangerous or a hazard to a new driver like me- baring in mind i am condifident, a quick learner and never had an accident or caused any on the road with a 65mph scooter? is it worth blowing all that money on my first car? and also is the ibiza reliable? opinions and info would be very helpful, thanks

[Kolimo]

I was going to pick the same thing; but a 5 y/o 1.2 litre version because insurance in London comes at quite a hefty price.

[Kolimo]

I was going to pick the same thing; but a 5 y/o 1.2 litre version because insurance in London comes at quite a hefty price.

[deltashad]

Buy something you dont mind bending. Cheap to run and a little bit cool. Id go old. Something like a tidy lupo with nice wheels and ride height. Add stuff like leather and big stereo as funds permit.
Dont get a big loan.

[Toaster Pilot]

deltashad said:

Buy something you dont mind bending. Cheap to run and a little bit cool. Id go old. Something like a tidy lupo with nice wheels and ride height. Add stuff like leather and big stereo as funds permit.
Dont get a big loan.

This but don't bother with the wheels, ride height, leather or stereo because it'll just increase your insurance premium

[SVS]

Sounds like a decent first car (assuming insurance is affordable).

WeirdNeville said:

You probably won't though - but if you're an enthusiastic driver (or want to be) then I strongly recommend some pass plus lessons, then on to advanced tuition. You never stop learning, and lessons to get your licence are the start of that process not the end!

+1. ^^^^ e.g. www.iam.org.uk or www.roadar.org.uk or, better still if you can afford it www.ridedrive.co.uk

[Bennet]

OBturbohead said:

i am condifident

For what it's worth, since the question amounts to "will I have a crash in this powerful car?" this ^^ is the most concerning part of your post.

The additional 0.2l of engine size (compared with whatever else you might be thinking of buying) won't make make the difference between your crashing and not crashing.

If you want "sensible" advice, get something bigger with a nice sound system that makes you feel chilled, relaxed and cool without having to drive it fast. Diesel, probably, since you'll get cheaper insurance and wont have to thrash it to overtake lorries on the motorway.

[TheThing]

If i could go back in time i would not have spent anymore than £500 on my first car. It was a wreck by the time I had finished with it and within a year was only worth half of what i payed for it. Save your pennies until you can afford to insure something a bit better.

[5charlie46]

I'll sound like a wet blanket but I'd go for the car that has the best Ncap rating. Chances are you'll have smack and having seen a fair few young lads in my area die in crashes from there first year of driving because they were in L reg micra, I was grateful my dad spent 1500 on a mk2 clio which I promptly tried to drive through a tree with it.

I wouldn't worry over what is fun etc as its your first car and you won't know any better so it'll seem like the best thing since sliced bread.

[ModernAndy]

OP, I respect that you have some road experience on a 125cc bike but your priority with a first car should be safety. I'm only 25 but looking back at when I first got my licence compared to now, the gulf in ability is massive. I would get a 'starter' car first which is easy to drive, not too low down and has a decent safety rating. It will make you appreciate a decent car all the more.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

WeirdNeville said:

Why is it assumed that new/young drivers have to crash their first car? I didn't, none of my immediate mates did, if you don't drive outside of your abilities you won't.

I'd like to see the numbers on how many do, to be honest.

The facts:

In the UK only one in eight driver licence holders is aged 25 or under, yet one in three drivers who die is under 25.
(Figures obtained Driving Standards Agency’s press office, 2008) (2007 statistics from the Department for Transport and Police Service for Northern Ireland 2008)

One in five new drivers is involved in a crash in their first year of driving.
(DSA, Learning to Drive: a consultation paper 2008)

[ModernAndy]

WeirdNeville said:

Why is it assumed that new/young drivers have to crash their first car? I didn't, none of my immediate mates did, if you don't drive outside of your abilities you won't.

I'd like to see the numbers on how many do, to be honest.

They're probably about somewhere. You have to admit that if you were to have a crash, it's far more likely to be when you have less experience than more (discounting the fact that when you're a bit older you may have the ability to buy something with daft power!)

[ModernAndy]

Just to add to my first post: my dad was a firefighter and spent more time cutting young lads and laddettes out of cars than attending fires (this is life in the NE of Scotland). I was very aware of the consequences of a crash well before I started driving and that made me a much better driver IMHO than my friends who just wanted to hoon about. Thankfully they are all still alive but they did some very stupid things which I think you can put down to their teenage mindset

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

The jelly in your head doesn't set until you are approaching 30. What's worse is you think it's set when you are 18.

[LukeSi]

Don't drive like a tt and any car is a good first car.

My first car is probably one of the dafter ones you can get for a low budget (Mid Engined, RWD, no airbags etc, (apparently) prone to snap oversteer).

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The jelly in your head doesn't set until you are approaching 30. What's worse is you think it's set when you are 18.

...then starts turning to blancmange when you get over 50

[ModernAndy]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The jelly in your head doesn't set until you are approaching 30. What's worse is you think it's set when you are 18.

On a slightly separate note; do you reckon that's because that's the age people generally have kids by and it makes you want to preserve yourself so you can be around for them?

[LooneyTunes]

ModernAndy said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The jelly in your head doesn't set until you are approaching 30. What's worse is you think it's set when you are 18.

On a slightly separate note; do you reckon that's because that's the age people generally have kids by and it makes you want to preserve yourself so you can be around for them?

Perhaps in part, but mainly I suspect because you've come sufficiently close to killing yourself so many times that you doubt Mr Reaper is going to let you off again...

Something slow and solid is definitely the way forward for first cars. Underpowered S40 or Landrover?

[Buff Mchugelarge]

WeirdNeville said:

Why is it assumed that new/young drivers have to crash their first car? I didn't, none of my immediate mates did, if you don't drive outside of your abilities you won't.

I'd like to see the numbers on how many do, to be honest.

This. Very much so.

My first car was cherished, I cleaned it nealry more than I drove it and never even dinged it.

[Raize]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The facts:

In the UK only one in eight driver licence holders is aged 25 or under, yet one in three drivers who die is under 25.
(Figures obtained Driving Standards Agency’s press office, 2008) (2007 statistics from the Department for Transport and Police Service for Northern Ireland 2008)

Twice as many young drivers have fatal crashes.

So logically, their insurance should be 20 times as expensive.