Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.6JTDM First car?

[ajsski99]

Looking for a first car for me as I turn 17 at the end of this month, and I and the family are keen for me to have a car to learn to drive in and eventually become my first car once I've passed my test.

Been scouring AutoTrader and eBay recently for the usual cars; Golf, Polo, Mini, Corsa, Saxo, Clio etc and stumbled across a 2009 plate bright yellow Alfa Romeo Mito 1.6 JTDM Veloce. it has FSH, low mileage, a 30-minute drive from me and is a very reasonable price. The car's basically in mint condition.

I've heard the alfa 1.6's give great fuel economy with about 55-60mpg which will be ideal to help keep running costs down.

Been on GoCompare also and the insurance is very reasonable too, with the cars price, running costs, road tax and insurance all falling within budget, with a £250 excess.

So... would this be a good first car?
I feel like the extensive knowledge on this forum is far greater than my judgement so I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know whether I'm walking into a serious money pit or an absolute steal.

Thanks, Ajsski99

[1430]

If you can insure one why not, turbo too so you can remap it and get a big power increase.

You are get insurance quotes with you down as having a full licence, the premiums cost x10 as much when you pass?

Edited by 1430 on Saturday 2nd March 21:42

[rxe]

I’m running the numbers for my son on them moment.

Basically a 95 HP version (whether twin air or 16v) is 1600 quid
120 HP is 2200
155 HP is 4000

I think a 1.4 Veloce 95 HP is the sweet spot.

[1430]

rxe said:

I’m running the numbers for my son on them moment.

Basically a 95 HP version (whether twin air or 16v) is 1600 quid
120 HP is 2200
155 HP is 4000

I think a 1.4 Veloce 95 HP is the sweet spot.

Thats very reasonable at 17 most insurance company's wouldn't even insure me and if they did the quote was 5 figures. Postcode is really a killer, it's still about a £1000 for me at 24 with NCB for run of mill cars.

[ajsski99]

1430 said:

If you can insure one why not, turbo too so you can remap it and get a big power increase.

You are get insurance quotes with you down as having a full licence, the premiums cost x10 as much when you pass?

Edited by 1430 on Saturday 2nd March 21:42

I selected the provisional lisence box when on GoCompare

[ajsski99]

1430 said:

rxe said:

I’m running the numbers for my son on them moment.

Basically a 95 HP version (whether twin air or 16v) is 1600 quid
120 HP is 2200
155 HP is 4000

I think a 1.4 Veloce 95 HP is the sweet spot.

Thats very reasonable at 17 most insurance company's wouldn't even insure me and if they did the quote was 5 figures. Postcode is really a killer, it's still about a £1000 for me at 24 with NCB for run of mill cars.

Postcode is for sure a killer. I live in a very low car related crime area, right in the country side, elderly demographic, so insurance is actually quite decent over here luckily.

[carlove]

ajsski99 said:

I selected the provisional lisence box when on GoCompare

I think what he meant is the insurance price will be reasonable as provisional but once you pass may turn ridiculous. I'd put the details in but as if you'd just passed, just to make sure it's not too much once you pass.

[Mike335i]

We have a 2009 155 Veloce and it is a decent car. Bit cheap feeling in places and the second worst audio system I have come across, but quite fun and generally good to own.

We have gone through a fair few top mounts and other suspension components over the 6 years / 60k miles we have had it. Windows squeak when the weather is hot due to dodgy regulators which is a pain. The exhausted outer shell rotted away too.

[ajsski99]

carlove said:

ajsski99 said:

I selected the provisional lisence box when on GoCompare

I think what he meant is the insurance price will be reasonable as provisional but once you pass may turn ridiculous. I'd put the details in but as if you'd just passed, just to make sure it's not too much once you pass.

Haven't thought of that, decent idea to be honest. ill do it now

[ZX10R NIN]

Mike335i said:

We have a 2009 155 Veloce and it is a decent car. Bit cheap feeling in places and the second worst audio system I have come across, but quite fun and generally good to own.

We have gone through a fair few top mounts and other suspension components over the 6 years / 60k miles we have had it. Windows squeak when the weather is hot due to dodgy regulators which is a pain. The exhausted outer shell rotted away too.

Change the front speakers for a set of 17cm Infiniti reference/kappa speakers it transforms (also add an extra layer of sound deadening) the sound.

[Mike335i]

ZX10R NIN said:

Change the front speakers for a set of 17cm Infiniti reference/kappa speakers it transforms (also add an extra layer of sound deadening) the sound.

I did think about upgrading it, but as my wife (ab)uses it as her daily and she isn't bothered, I never really got round to it.

To be honest, I'm surprised we still have it. Great little car, but if you had asked me when we bought it if we would still have 6 years later I would have laughed. It has exceeded expectations greatly

[ZX10R NIN]

They;re decent cars that get under your skin & as a used option especially with the choice of engine outputs.

[Mike335i]

ZX10R NIN said:

They;re decent cars that get under your skin & as a used option especially with the choice of engine outputs.

Agreed, 1.4 155 is a great little engine