First car for late starter?
Discussion
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The only reason teenagers buy cheap shopping trolleys is because they can't afford to insure something nice. Without the testosterone and feelings of invincibility most 17 year olds have, you will probably survive skipping the shed stage and get something that will last a few years.
Budget?
Specific wants/needs?
etc.
The only reason teenagers buy cheap shopping trolleys is because they can't afford to insure something nice. Without the testosterone and feelings of invincibility most 17 year olds have, you will probably survive skipping the shed stage and get something that will last a few years.
Budget?
Specific wants/needs?
etc.
For a first car I'd budget perhaps £1,000 for the car, which is more than enough to get something reliable and possibly even a bit interesting. If after a year you don't like it, you'll know why and you'll be better able to look for something that suits you. If you do like it and it has proved reliable then you can keep it and get another years no claims together.
I'd go for something like a Volvo S40, Toyota Avensis, Perhaps a Mazda 323 which are cheap plentyful and reliable, or perhaps a Ford Mondeo floats your boat more. If you're a risk taker, how about an Alfa??
All I've done to generate these cars is put in max of £1000, engine size filter and a couple of other parameters into the auto trader search. Try it and see if anything leaps off of the screen at you.
Beware the "£999" listing "Price is £2,300" though. How anyone thinks that works is beyond me.
I'd go for something like a Volvo S40, Toyota Avensis, Perhaps a Mazda 323 which are cheap plentyful and reliable, or perhaps a Ford Mondeo floats your boat more. If you're a risk taker, how about an Alfa??
All I've done to generate these cars is put in max of £1000, engine size filter and a couple of other parameters into the auto trader search. Try it and see if anything leaps off of the screen at you.
Beware the "£999" listing "Price is £2,300" though. How anyone thinks that works is beyond me.
If you are going cheaper see if you can get a late Peugeot 306. You'll get a 1.8 Meridian (toys + half leather) or HDi for your money, they are a nice drive and still easy-ish on insurance.
Early Focii must be an option too.
In fact here's something bigger for a good price...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Early Focii must be an option too.
In fact here's something bigger for a good price...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Edited by MondeoMan1981 on Saturday 26th February 17:30
As mentioned the Fiesta is a good bet but if you plan on doing any motorway stuff forget the 1.4 TDCI, I drove one for a few months and it was great around town but the engine had a cardiac episode when it reached 65mph and didn't much like it on the motorway.
For your budget and needs I'd say that a good service history and condition are more important than choosing any one specific model at the outset i.e. avoid anything with rust, obvious damage, or anything that creaks, rattles or clunks more than it should when you drive it.
The Skoda you mentioned would be a good bet but there are a huge number of cars in your price range. If you want something reliable that will cost very little to run and be easy on repair costs then something like an older Civic/Yaris would be great but as long as you're confident and happy driving a bigger car (not everyone is when they first start driving) there's plenty of Focuses/Mondeos around which are economical and reliable.
The single most important thing when starting off with a first car though is finding a good, trustworthy and reliable mechanic who is knowledgeable and who won't rip you off. They can often be a good place to buy a car from too, especially if they've maintained the car themselves. My wife bought her P reg Mitsubishi Colt from our local mechanic after he'd had it for 3 years, still going strong 8 years later and not a thing gone wrong with it.
Edit: grammar
For your budget and needs I'd say that a good service history and condition are more important than choosing any one specific model at the outset i.e. avoid anything with rust, obvious damage, or anything that creaks, rattles or clunks more than it should when you drive it.
The Skoda you mentioned would be a good bet but there are a huge number of cars in your price range. If you want something reliable that will cost very little to run and be easy on repair costs then something like an older Civic/Yaris would be great but as long as you're confident and happy driving a bigger car (not everyone is when they first start driving) there's plenty of Focuses/Mondeos around which are economical and reliable.
The single most important thing when starting off with a first car though is finding a good, trustworthy and reliable mechanic who is knowledgeable and who won't rip you off. They can often be a good place to buy a car from too, especially if they've maintained the car themselves. My wife bought her P reg Mitsubishi Colt from our local mechanic after he'd had it for 3 years, still going strong 8 years later and not a thing gone wrong with it.
Edit: grammar
Get a 1994-1997 Jaguar XJ6.
They are cheap to buy, moderate in costs to run, and for someone nearing their 30's, presents a relatively respectable image. Room for five, and beautiful interior with plenty of wood and leather.
These cars have a decent 4litre displacement, and are very comfortable. Perhaps the most comfortable car you can get at the 1000 pound or so mark. With such a large engine, they are usually driven by more mature owners who don't race them from one stoplight to the next, and with a large engine, drivetrain is under far less stress, so from a longevity standpoint it is better.
They are also excellent commuter cars, and will be great for your 10 mile commute.
There is no resale on them, but at least you won't be worrying about depreciation, as it has reached rock bottom now.
And always good to throw yourself in the deep end at first, learn to drive and park a large car, and then you'll be ready for anything else!
My first car after I passed my test was a 2001 Jaguar XJR.
They are cheap to buy, moderate in costs to run, and for someone nearing their 30's, presents a relatively respectable image. Room for five, and beautiful interior with plenty of wood and leather.
These cars have a decent 4litre displacement, and are very comfortable. Perhaps the most comfortable car you can get at the 1000 pound or so mark. With such a large engine, they are usually driven by more mature owners who don't race them from one stoplight to the next, and with a large engine, drivetrain is under far less stress, so from a longevity standpoint it is better.
They are also excellent commuter cars, and will be great for your 10 mile commute.
There is no resale on them, but at least you won't be worrying about depreciation, as it has reached rock bottom now.
And always good to throw yourself in the deep end at first, learn to drive and park a large car, and then you'll be ready for anything else!
My first car after I passed my test was a 2001 Jaguar XJR.
Edited by MPoon on Saturday 26th February 22:53
Opara said:
Hi guys, I recently passed my test at the ripe age of 28 and am now looking to get my first car.I've looked around other similar threads but most seem to be from the perspective of the 17yo driver, at my age insurance isn't quite so harsh so my criteria is slightly different.
That said, with no driving experience you might find you're in for a nasty shock with the insurance. One of my mates passed when he was 27 and didn't automatically qualify for cheap insurance because he was essentially an unproven customer. Still, can't go wrong with a nice Ford Focus as your first car, especially if you look for a special edition model like a Black or Ebony with all the extras. russy01 said:
Age doesn't matter you still have no experience. Go get a corsa shed or somethng and learn how to drive properly here you go splashing out.
You should get a nicer car, age does matter. At 28, you wouldn't want to be seen in a corsa anyway... it's not very presentable. Might as well get a nicer car ... and if you mess it up, then you will learn a very good lesson on driving technique. :-)
Personally I would get the cheapest piece of crap car you can find for your first year. You may be starting at a later age than most new drivers but it is sensible to presume that you'll make the occasional mistake.
Get a years no claims bonus, get some experience and then buy something a bit nicer. You may end up saving thousands.
Get a years no claims bonus, get some experience and then buy something a bit nicer. You may end up saving thousands.
I passed last year, very late starter too (32 at the time); I bought an e46 325i Sport (my current car, cost £6K, insurance £1.4K).
Insurance was fun, but, all being well, is coming down very significantly in the next month. I found that insurance quotes for more typical starter cars were not significantly lower (or were actually far higher) than that of the BMW, so I went for it. Its proven a lot more fun than the Corsa ecos
t I learnt in.
Insurance was fun, but, all being well, is coming down very significantly in the next month. I found that insurance quotes for more typical starter cars were not significantly lower (or were actually far higher) than that of the BMW, so I went for it. Its proven a lot more fun than the Corsa ecos
t I learnt in.Edited by aizvara on Sunday 27th February 00:14
Judging by you mentioning the Skoda you've seen I'm guessing you're not a badge snob?
Have a look at Hyundai Coupe's? I've always thought they're really good looking cars, and not bad handlers either. Not too sporty so you shouldn't lose it midway through a corner.
That kind of money could get you a tidy Mk4 Astra 1.6/1.8 SXI/SRI. Again they're really nice cars IMO, my brother had one and I loved it. Enough oomph and not really bad for first time insurers either.
Rover 25/45 MG ZR/ZS would also be one of my recommendations to you. They're very cheap to buy, especially for what you get. The 1.4 Engine in the R25/ZR are very nippy for what they are and aint too bad on the fuel. There's more exciting engines if thats what you want, and all should be within budget. Very pretty aswell IMO.
Have a look at Hyundai Coupe's? I've always thought they're really good looking cars, and not bad handlers either. Not too sporty so you shouldn't lose it midway through a corner.
That kind of money could get you a tidy Mk4 Astra 1.6/1.8 SXI/SRI. Again they're really nice cars IMO, my brother had one and I loved it. Enough oomph and not really bad for first time insurers either.
Rover 25/45 MG ZR/ZS would also be one of my recommendations to you. They're very cheap to buy, especially for what you get. The 1.4 Engine in the R25/ZR are very nippy for what they are and aint too bad on the fuel. There's more exciting engines if thats what you want, and all should be within budget. Very pretty aswell IMO.
russy01 said:
Age doesn't matter you still have no experience. Go get a corsa shed or somethng and learn how to drive properly here you go splashing out.
Fair point but without the constraints of insurance that a 17yo has surely there has to be a better way to spend a grand,even if it is still a shed, then on a Corsa.I'm not necessarily talking big engine sport cars etc perhaps just more reliable or a nicer drive.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff