What next after my learner car? - Page 1 - Car Buying

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Original Poster

10 posts

47 months

Yesterday (14:13)

I learnt to drive in a 2018 Ford Fiesta ST-Line (138 bhp), which I loved. I’ve also driven the family 981 Boxster (brilliant) and, for a while, a 2021 BMW Z4 20i M Sport (hated it).

I’m now looking to buy my first post-learner car with a budget of around £9k–£12k. Ideally manual, reasonably sensible on insurance (I'm turning 21 next year), but above all something with excellent handling and steering feel. The Fiesta always gave great feedback, the Z4 felt very remote, and the Boxster was just a bit too limited for daily use.

I’ve also tracked a Jaguar F-Type SVR, which confirmed that I love a V8—but that’s for another day!

What’s the logical next step up? I was considering a BMW 2-Series but feel a bit stuck. Has anyone been in a similar position?

11,625 posts

73 months

Yesterday (14:16)

What does your insurance company suggest?

Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 10th December 14:27

Original Poster

10 posts

47 months

Yesterday (14:25)

Milkyway said:

What does your insurance company suggest.

It doesn't! It's expensive what ever I get but older / lower value (but with more power) is often cheaper than newish higher value with less power. I seem to remember that to add me to the insurance schedule, the 981 Boxster was more expensive than a 987 Boxster S. Both expensive (~£1,800 for the year) but just about on the limit of afordable. (It's about £1,000 for the Fiesta).

Alex_225

7,220 posts

221 months

Yesterday (14:45)

You may be surprised at how insurable a big car with a big engine may be, often hot hatches are seen as the riskier car to insure but at 20 years old like you say a lot of cars will be expensive and big cars with a big engine are thirsty haha.

Could you not consider a Fiesta ST? You liked the ST Line and the ST looks like a blast without being stupidly fast. I had a Clio 172 when I was 21 and absolutely loved it.

Robertb

3,069 posts

258 months

Yesterday (14:45)

My first 'proper' car at your age was a Golf GTi.

A nice mk 6 GTi would be in your price range. Not sure what your insurer would think though!

6 cylinder BMW 3 series also look appealing, nice ones available in your budget.

Original Poster

10 posts

47 months

Yesterday (14:50)

Alex_225 said:

Could you not consider a Fiesta ST? You liked the ST Line and the ST looks like a blast without being stupidly fast. I had a Clio 172 when I was 21 and absolutely loved it.

That is on the short list! Though I sort of think I'll be buying more of the same.

11,625 posts

73 months

Yesterday (14:51)

Ah...sweet memories.
First car was a MK2 Escort (1.3), followed by a new(ish) Acclaim.
At twenty two, I treated myself to a brand new Maestro EFI. (10K)
(Got the insurance... just).

Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 10th December 14:53

Original Poster

10 posts

47 months

Yesterday (14:52)

Robertb said:

6 cylinder BMW 3 series also look appealing, nice ones available in your budget.

I've heard about the fabled 6 cyl models. Is there a sweet spot in the range for handling specs / packs?

MattsCar

1,950 posts

125 months

Yesterday (14:55)

Most obvious answer is an MX5 ND.

Cheap to run and buy, reliable and an excellent steer.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19481024

1.5 and non hard tops available for less.

Alex_225

7,220 posts

221 months

Yesterday (14:56)

henrykus said:

Alex_225 said:

Could you not consider a Fiesta ST? You liked the ST Line and the ST looks like a blast without being stupidly fast. I had a Clio 172 when I was 21 and absolutely loved it.

That is on the short list! Though I sort of think I'll be buying more of the same.

I suppose it would be familiar in many ways. That said my first three cars were Clios. A MK1 1.2, then a MK2 1.2 which was a step up in terms of comfort and features (electric windows and power steering haha), then the 172 which was a step up in every way. But I could understand you fancying something different too. smile

keo

2,696 posts

190 months

Yesterday (15:01)

You are 21 (well soon to be!) get the boxster! Or like others have said the Fiesta ST. Hot hatches are great I had a few around your age.

11,625 posts

73 months

Yesterday (15:13)

I had a cooking MK1 Focus (1.6) for a while...loved it.
I don't know what the later models were like.
(Or could throw the Mini into the mix).

Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 10th December 15:15

Robertb

3,069 posts

258 months

Yesterday (15:37)

Milkyway said:

I had a cooking MK1 Focus (1.6) for a while...loved it.
I don't know what the later models were like.
(Or could throw the Mini into the mix).

Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 10th December 15:15

Actually yes, a Cooper S is certainly in budget. My daughter's 1.5 Cooper is brilliant too. Fast enough, solid, refined and fun to drive.

11,625 posts

73 months

Yesterday (15:56)

Robertb said:

Actually yes, a Cooper S is certainly in budget. My daughter's 1.5 Cooper is brilliant too. Fast enough, solid, refined and fun to drive.

Four / five seats... you will be popular too.

ZX10R NIN

29,730 posts

145 months

Yesterday (20:53)

ScoobyChris

2,228 posts

222 months

Yesterday (20:59)

In your place 23 years ago I got a ‘98 Impreza turbo. Would recommend the experience … would not recommend the financial aftermath!

My advice would be to move to a “lukewarm” car for a few years and then move up.

PovertyPrince

524 posts

46 months

Yesterday (21:03)

ZX10R NIN said:

That 308 is a bargain

PovertyPrince

524 posts

46 months

Yesterday (21:06)

At 21 I bought a new MK7 ST. Black with the red seats and style pack.

5 years and 83k miles later, I d basically spend every penny I earnt outside of bills running the thing. It’s one of the main reasons I still haven’t bought a house at 29.

I miss it dearly, but I agree you should really do a lukewarm midway point at this stage of life. Get your finances in order before running the expensive stuff.

Edited by PovertyPrince on Wednesday 10th December 21:15

cerb4.5lee

39,952 posts

200 months

Yesterday (21:17)

Milkyway said:

Ah...sweet memories.
First car was a MK2 Escort (1.3), followed by a new(ish) Acclaim.
At twenty two, I treated myself to a brand new Maestro EFI. (10K)
(Got the insurance... just).

Edited by Milkyway on Wednesday 10th December 14:53

Similar to me. First car was a Skoda Estelle, I then had a brief spell with a Mk3 1.3 Escort, and then into a Metro 1275 Sport. Then finally at the age of 20 I got my first Sierra 2.9 XR4x4, but I struggled with the insurance on that as well at the time.

keo

2,696 posts

190 months

03:48

PovertyPrince said:

At 21 I bought a new MK7 ST. Black with the red seats and style pack.

5 years and 83k miles later, I d basically spend every penny I earnt outside of bills running the thing. It s one of the main reasons I still haven t bought a house at 29.

I miss it dearly, but I agree you should really do a lukewarm midway point at this stage of life. Get your finances in order before running the expensive stuff.

Edited by PovertyPrince on Wednesday 10th December 21:15

Surprised it was expensive to run. I thought that was the beauty of hot hatches, fun but reasonable to run.

Biggest bill I had on a hot hatches was having the dampers re built on my Clio Trophy (apart from standard stuff). I did track it though and being in my early 20’s my hot hatch’s got driven quite hard.

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