What would be a ideal first car for me? UK?

Question

On 13/06/08 i passed my theory test, and now i am taking driving lessons. I have had 6 lessons so far, but once i pass my test an get my well wanted license...WHAT CAR????

I dnt really like Mini's...

I was thinkin of a corsa but frankly i want somthing i can afford...like somthing cheap out the bargian pages or eBay for example...

Any ideas?...

Answer 1

Mate, I'll tell you exactly, I've just passed mine and bought a citroen saxo vtr, now, thats a 1.6 group SEVEN insuance, now if u don't want to go that steep bearing in mind im guessing your about my age, There are plenty to choose from, id not recommend any saxo under the 1.4 furio, check that out cheap as chips, looks good too, sadly im going to have to add in the corsa, they are very cheap to run and good for money insurance too and parts are easy to come by, should be group 3 insurance for a relatively new model which is cheap, theres also, Fiat punto , Renault clios - you could easily afford a corsa mate trust me and good luck with your test and your new car!

Answer 2

I'll agree with Cozy. I too have a Morris Minor. It's the best car I've ever owned. Cheap to buy and run. Cute as h**l, The girls love it lol...and reliable.

'Nuff said.

For me..the 'Moggy' wins!

Answer 3

Got myself a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SXi it's a great car and if you hunt about you can pick up a good one (the newer shape C) for about 1.5k

And the older style B's can go from anything from £200 to 1k and they are good wee cars!

The Fiesta is a great little car aswell, only problem I found was the insurance was very high, and I could insure a Focus 1.8 - 2.0 for the same/cheaper! This compared to an Insurance Group 2-3 Corsa, Vauxhall won me over.

Fuel economy is good aswell, but I would recommend a diesel as its benefits way out the cost of the fuel. Corsa 1.2 Petrol (300ish miles to a tank) Corsa 1.3 CDTi Diesel (600ish miles to a tank (so I've heard))

Hope this gives you some food for thought!

p.s Good luck in your test.

Answer 4

I would buy a good well run in, well maintained second hand small car for the first couple of years for cheaper insurance purposes.    A new driver with a new car has to pay a lot more for insurance when you are getting nil bonus for your new driving licence.

Answer 5

its all about the clio mate. on auto trader you can get one 1998/1999 for about 1000. reli good value i think. im definately gettin one wen i pass.

Answer 6

I don't know a lot about cars, but I would try to buy the one that requires the least gas/petrol. In the U.S. they have a Consumer Reports book and I think a website that reports on car repair records, which is another thing to consider, since the cost of repairs is pretty high too. Your researching will pay off in the long run.  It might even be worth borrowing some money if possible just to get a more economical car.  The gas prices are killing me and I wish I had a hybrid, or at least a Honda or Toyota since they're so good with gas mileage.

Answer 7

usually once you have passed your test you are less confident than an experienced driver, so i suggest that you buy a cheap car that you can allow a few bumps and scrapes.maybe have a look on ebay and you will most likely find a suitable car for urself.

Answer 8

your best bet is too get a car about no more 1400cc as this all goes on insurance prices so lower the engine the better the insurance.....also a good way to buy a bargain of a car is a car auction....look out for the tyres all being the same make both numbers plates are the same as sometimes if been in accident for repair the number plates are different, also an ex leasing car is good buy as all service history is normally with the car.....oviously mileage dont buy too high either. good luck also diesel car might be better as you get alot more mileage for your money...

Answer 9

I would suggest that you think about the other expenses related to driving to pick a car. Road tax tends to go up with engine size, insurance costs a fortune when you first pass your test and what about petrol/diesel??

Go for a vauxhall or ford for cheap repairs or a vw for reliability.

Just to confuse you even more - don't spend more than £500 on your first car. Everyone makes mistakes with their first car, they crash, bump,put oil in the wrong place or not at all. If you limit your initial outlay it won't be so bad when you make these mistakes and you can find out what you really need from your car in the first 6 months then use your first car as a trade in!

I would also suggest asking your friends and family to recommend some where reliable to buy from, dealerships aren't cheap but you pay for the security of knowing the cars been checked. Some local garages are ropey to say the least so check with people who can steer you in the right direction.

Hope all this hasn't put you off buying a car all together!!! Happy car hunting!

Answer 10

Hi,

I passed my test in October last year - bought an R-reg Fiat Punto S 60 (1242cc). Cost just £400 with 6 months MOT and 4 months tax. Have had it MOT'd again at a total cost £130. So twelve months driving for £530. Real bargain. Have found it to be an ideal 1st car - ten years old so ideal on a budget.

Its not a bad looking car for lads too - so no p**s taking lol

Seriously though i'd consider it!

Hope this helps ... basically the key is to shop around - if you see something you like the idea of try an insurance comparision site to see what it would cost you on that front.

You ll find what works best for you.

Best of luck

Answer 11

get an old BMW or Volvo.  The new ones are expensive but you can get the old ones for a lot less.  I would recommend a 1980 volvo or a 70's BMW.  They're normal in size, and the up side is that they're safe in a collision because they're old and heavy and durable.

You've probably seen them around as they're quite flash and dead gorgeous.  I'm getting one when I finish my lessons.

Answer 12

I agree with Micheal P

Small and Japanese - Reliable, very good on fuel and easy to park. I had a Toyota Yaris when I passed my test - Great car and it didn't drink the fuel (Unless I wanted it to)

The smaller the engine, typically cheaper insurance, so it would make sense to go with something with a 1.0 or 1.2 size engine......... the Toyota Yaris in the 1.0L form was the fastest 1.0 and 1.2L car in it's time as well ;)   I don't know about now though

I would steer well away from old Volvos or BMW, insurance is through the roof and it will drink fuel like.......like a student drinks beer :P

Answer 13

Have you tried looking at Young Marmalade. They specialise in providing cars and insurance to young drivers. There is a good range of affordable safe cars and the insurance is cheap as well.

Answer 14

if you want a ballin car, get a BMW 318 or 325 2dr.  very reliable cars. if you dont care about impressing your friends and especially girls, get a honda or toyota and dont rice it up too much, but they are very reliable and cheap in repairs, as BMW parts and repairs may cost you alot

Answer 15

My first car was a Ford Ka...

It is affordable and small. Driving around was easier and fun for me in my Ka. It also improved my confidence level...

Why not try for it?

Answer 16

You want to get yourself a super mini, something cheap like a Clio, Peugeot 106, Citroen Saxo, Vauxhal Corsa, Nissan Micra (if you have to!). They are really cheap to insure, tax and service. You can pick on of those up from £250 to £2000 depending on the date and model.

Answer 17

Go for a Fiat Panda - forget about Fiat's iffy reputation in the past - the new Panda is one of the most reliable cars in the country - my Mum bought one last year - the basic 1.1 and it is so much fun to drive yet gets about a million miles to the gallon!!

Answer 18

I got given a temporary Corsa van the other week whilst mine was in for service. It was a 1.3 diesel CDTI and it went like hot snot.I believe I was getting around 60 MPG without even trying. Too small for me though really, but it would make an ideal starter car. Even the van version looks cute and you can get cheaper insurance with a van (think about it).... Good luck.

Answer 19

I think something small and Japanese would suit you, something like a Toyota Yaris or a Nissan Micra ..... new style Minis are still way too expensive for now. But as you say, you want something you can afford ... so I suggest you map out the cost of tax, insurance ( a big part of the cost ) and see what you are left over with.  Then with that budget in mind, see whats about for the price. But if possible, I still think small and Japanese is the best, if only for reliability reasons.

Answer 20

When buying a car of your own you must take into concideration:

*can you afford to run it? (petrol - small engines best)

*Insurance cost

*Make, model & year - (the older the car the cheaper insurance)

*Tax/MOT

*get someone/family to buy a car for you!

My firsrt car was an old red micra (1994), i passed in 2004! I loved that car! It was cheap on petrol & Insurance!

Good luck!

Answer 21

i've just got my 1st car. it was £700 and cost £500 to insure, breakdown and windscreen cover. it costs £35 to fill up and that lasts me forever. it's a nissan micra by the way. it is in perfect condition and runs amazinglingly, it's really nippy. i love it x x x

Answer 22

You want reliability, cheap insurance, economy and performance. Can I suggest Peugeot 107/ Citroen C`1/ Toyota Aygo.

Reasons, firstly they are all the same car made by Toyota with different badges on , so thats the reliability taken care of.

Secondly its Group1 insurance, you cannot get lower than that.

Thirdly its a 3 cylinder 1 litre engine that does 68 miles to the gallon, so theres the economy.

Finally it will just get to 100mph before it decides enough is enough.

So there we are, brand new in the region of 6.5k , modern, stylish, economical and you can now get second hand 3 year old for about 3-4k.

Answer 23

My first and only car has been my lovely Morris Minor 'Ruby'.

Cheap and reliable and TAX FREE! And don't forget, you can get classic car insurance for it which is usually pretty good. It's not just a fair weather car either. I use mine in all weathers and everyday.

They're also cute crowd drawers. Every ones heart melts for a 'Moggy'.

Parts are easy to get hold of and not badly priced either. And if you join the owners club in your area, you'll probably find someone willing to help you with any problems that come up for a very good rate.

The Morris Minor celebrates it's 60th anniversary this year. I'm a proud owner and I love my car. I wouldn't part with it for the world.

Answer 24

no body mentions reliability - and cost of parts.

These are serious costs in an Older car and any Volvo/BMW will ruin you in costs- and insurance.

For cheap parts think Ford/Vauxhall and forget good looks etc, all that costs. Corsa/Fiesta, loads made and plenty on the market so choose carefully, look at the owner ans well as the car- see if there look badly turned out and the sort to abuse the vehicle, if so move off to a better looked after car.

Answer 25

Clio, the new type. i have passed my driving test last month with this present from my girl friend!!!, brand new Clio, dynamic, turbo, less emission so has less tax!, £100 a year which i was paying for my laguna for6 months. it is nice, cosy and reliable car.

have nice drive with Clio!!!!

Answer 26

best overall car to run cheaply and least breakdowns is (sadly enough) a Ford KA.

Answer 27

Get a cheap one, that you won't cry over when you scratch or dent it.

Look for cheap insurance group and good fuel consumption.

My first car was a 1965 mini, simple and easy to fix.

Answer 28

This is a difficult question with limited information but I'll try my best.

The first thing to consider is insurance- unless you can go as a named driver on parental policy you are going to get a high quote whatever you get.

You can reduce the quote by choosing a high insurance excess £500 or more! Also make sure you get a car with no more than group 3 insurance.

There are plenty of cheap cars to be had- some good some bad. It is best to stick to mainstream makes like Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall as if things do go wrong you can get cheap parts and labour.

My to 3 choices under £2000 would be as follows-all group 3 or lower insurance and all cheap to run and reliable.

Make sure you get one with power steering if possible

Toyota Yaris 1.0 should get a V to  X reg car ( 1999 to 2001)

Ford Fiesta 1.2 LX again around 2001 car maybe an early 51 plate.

Vauxhall Corsa up to 2002, Club or Life

Under £4000 gets you a 3 year old car  ( 2005 05 plate) of any of the above- old shape Yaris though not new shape - same for Corsa.

Check your insurance first, you can use the calculator on our site or go via moneysupermarket etc- might be a bit hard to get online quotes as is your first car and you haven't passed your test yet.

Speak to Mum/Dad or whoever and plead to go on their insurance- see if you can gain no claims discount for yourself while you are on their policy- will be better for you in the long run.

Answer 29

dude i had an astra a little while ago 4 door k reg went ok actually not sure on what engine it had in it but it was good for being out on site where i work i had a good fuel consumption out of it going down private land and it didnt mind having all my gear and stuff in the back

i am only 16 atm but it was a good lil car ffor around the fields

now i have a landrover 110 station wagon awesome bit of kit but very thirsty hahaha

astra and that stuff is the way to go if you havent much money you could pick up a astra for around 500 quid

Answer 30

I passed my driving test a couple of months ago after  attempts i bought a ford fiesta it has ok price insurance and road tax and it doesnt cost a lot to run about £15 per week for me. Just look round your local used car car places. good luck

Answer 31

Avoid the Costa like the plague, that's the car of the boy racer/chav/ned etc.

It's really up to you what car you go for, but i would recomend something that you can afford and are comfortable with, it doesn't need to be a big one, but an fiat or an astra should be okay.