Buying first car soon - which one of these is best?

[Maru.1926]

I'll be buying my first car in April and am starting to look at my options. As of right now can't afford to insure anything higher than a 1.2 and group insurance 4. My budget will be roughly £2500.

I need something reliable as I'm going in for my Masters at University roughly 250 miles away from home and will be travelling around the local areas as well as back home for work. I've heard from some friends to stay away from VAG group cars but.. I don't know.

My options are:

Skoda Fabia 1 (MK2) 5dr
Hyundai i20 5dr 2009 - 2014
Vauxhall Corsa 5dr 2009 - 2014

What sort of mileage cars should I be looking at? Which one of these is the best car in general for driving around town and motorway? I'm trying to find as low as possible but it seems difficult especially with the Corsa.

Edited by Maru.1926 on Thursday 11th January 20:32

[Steve91]

Maru.1926 said:

I'll be buying my first car in April and am starting to look at my options. As of right now can't afford to insure anything higher than a 1.2 and group insurance 4. My budget will be roughly £2500.

I need something reliable as I'm going in for my Masters at University roughly 250 miles away from home and will be travelling around the local areas as well as back home for work. I've heard from some friends to stay away from VAG group cars but.. I don't know.

My options are:

Skoda Fabia 1 (MK2) 5dr
Hyundai i20 5dr 2009 - 2014
Vauxhall Corsa 5dr 2009 - 2014

What sort of mileage cars should I be looking at? Which one of these is the best car in general for driving around town and motorway? I'm trying to find as low as possible but it seems difficult especially with the Corsa.

Edited by Maru.1926 on Thursday 11th January 20:32

As with most cars, I'd say service history and overall condition is more important than mileage, as I'd far rather buy a car with 100k on it thats been looked after, over a car thats been abused for 40k.

Had a Corsa as a courtesy car for about 6 weeks and it was alright, but if you can get the Fabia I would. My folks have one and they love it.

[MorganP104]

Of the cars on your list, OP, I'd go for the Fabia.

The 1.2 petrol engine isn't an overly complex unit, and if well-maintained, shouldn't cause you too much grief. In terms of the car itself, the Fabia offers a very "grown up" driving experience, and will be as at home on the motorway as it is around town.

The Fabia might not be terribly sexy (vRS aside), but then, neither are mid-spec Corsas and i20s.

[kieranblenk]

110% Fabia. I've had 3 (one of each generation) and they've all been spot on.

[steve-5snwi]

Dull as anything but out of those 3 it would be the i20, it will be more reliable than the corsa or fabia.

[castex]

Cinquecento Schumacher.

[PaddyPadsPat]

Out of them, Fabia for me.

What's the insurance like for each? As that'll be a factor.

[Benjijames28]

Forget the rest, buy either a Toyota Yaris or a Ford fiesta mk7.

[mick_coupe]

i20 or Yaris for reliability

Mick

[ZX10R NIN]

Don't overlook the Clio they're a very smart buy at this price point.

[ZX10R NIN]

Don't overlook the Clio they're a very smart buy at this price point.

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