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Post by greeny253 on Jun 15, 2009 14:53:48 GMT
Oh and should have said if you get an auto 9 times out of 10 you will end up paying more road tax as there CO2 emissions are higher than the manual counterpart Unless you get one pre-2001 in which case it comes under the old tax system but still comes in at £185 for the year  The Ka is a good car (as is the SportKa though I doubt you'd get insured so early on ;D) though be careful - a manufacturing fault in the suspension setup means they eat through front tyres from the inside out. Also as a guy I'd suggest you only buy either a dark coloured one (the dark blue or black look good) or a silver one if you get one at all. The 106/Cinquecento are good small cars to start off driving with so worth considering. One of my mates had the Cinquecento and he loved it. My first car (after passing my test that is - I had an Orion but that got written off) was a Ford Sierra Sapphire which I got really stung on to insure - £2000 TPFT. By comparison my Astra costs me £602 fully comprehensive now with 4 years NCB. |
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Post by whgarage on Jun 15, 2009 17:37:43 GMT
As the title says, I'm after a recommendation for a first car to drive. I have already booked for my driving lessons and will be starting in a few weeks time, so I'm thinking which car should get me going for the first few years of driving. I am currently eighteen years of age and my budget is £700-£1500. Insurance is also an issue - so I have the following cars in mind; Peugeot 206 (96-00) VW Golf Mark 2 Renult Clio Mark 2 Ford Focus Mark 1 Any idea's or recommendations? Forget the Focus lol. The insurance on that will be sky high. Just to give you an idea, i passed my test when i was 19, so 4 years ago this July, and i got a Mk4 Fiesta, the bubbly looking one, on an R-reg, so the car was 8 years old at the time. Engine size was 1.2, so not very powerful either. It cost me £1k, yet the insurance was.........sit down for this.......£1800!! What i'd recommend is something similar, plus you MUST do the pass plus. It knocks off about 10% on your insurance in the first year, which is a life saver. Think i got mine down to around £1600 if i remember rightly. Hope that helps you out abit mate  John I started in a bubbly Fista as well 6 years ago and it cost me £1200 a year as well and I was 25 ;D Forcus MK 1 are not bad they are a decent size car but still dead easy to park! |
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Post by dla389 on Jun 15, 2009 17:49:02 GMT
Thanks for all the help and support guys, the advice has been a real help in considering what to look for. I suppose having a manual license is the way forward, so I will be able to make a future purchase for a car with an automatix box if I wish to do so. Having to think of it, why are we still driving around in manuals when everything seems automated anyway? ;D I wouldn't mind pushing around backwards and forwards, but I'd rather have more control of the gears and pay less for fuel than the latter. Still not sure which car to consider  - I'm very tempted to purchase a 206, Polo or Ibiza, as long as they are in the insurance group 3 category and cost between £900-1300. Don't fancy the Ford Ka, Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa, I don't even know why.  I will do some more research later and spend some qualty time on the Parker's website as well as compare prices on the Auto Trader site. |
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Post by greeny253 on Jun 15, 2009 18:07:54 GMT
Still not sure which car to consider - I'm very tempted to purchase a 206, Polo or Ibiza Of the 3 I'd go with the Polo - not bad looking cars plus German reliability |
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Post by lc1 on Jun 15, 2009 18:44:42 GMT
Still not sure which car to consider - I'm very tempted to purchase a 206, Polo or Ibiza Of the 3 I'd go with the Polo - not bad looking cars plus German reliability Although the Ibiza is a good option, it's basically a Polo but with out the German price tag I've heard the Focus Mk1 was easy to park, shame the same cannot be said about the Mk 2.5 as you can't see jack in the mirror's I have almost backed mine into a lamp-post 4 times |
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Post by dla389 on Jun 16, 2009 11:18:53 GMT
Of the 3 I'd go with the Polo - not bad looking cars plus German reliability A few of my mates have recommended it to me, since I'm only after - ReliabilityCheap insurance Decent appearance I want a car to last me a good amout of years, which the Polo is capable. Many have also recommended the 206, but I've heard the reliability isn't so good as with most other French cars. A mate of mine has complained of electrical failures and poor interior plastics on his nine year old 206 (he purchased it in 2007). It's a very nice looking car though. Although the Ibiza is a good option, it's basically a Polo but with out the German price tag I've heard the Focus Mk1 was easy to park, shame the same cannot be said about the Mk 2.5 as you can't see jack in the mirror's I have almost backed mine into a lamp-post 4 times So is the Ibiza as reliable as the VW's and other German cars? The Mk1 Focus is also a good car, but unfortunately me being a young student I'd have to pay rocket high premiums to insure it. Lastly (I know you're all getting fed up with the questions) ;D, when buying second hand, should I generally go for the lowest mileage and least number of owners as possible, or is that too much? What about servicing? Should I be looking for a car that has a full service history from the dealer or not worry about stuff like that as long as it has been regularly serviced? Apologies for all the newbie questions I've asked, but as you'll be able to tell I have zero knowledge about these sort of things. |
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Post by dla389 on Jun 16, 2009 12:02:31 GMT
Pop down to your local Arriva garage and take an S reg ;D ;D ;D Oh dear. I'd rather drive around in a batmobile made from cardboard with a built-in lawnmower engine than an S-reg DLA from TH. ;D |
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Post by john on Jun 16, 2009 12:31:14 GMT
Lastly (I know you're all getting fed up with the questions) ;D, when buying second hand, should I generally go for the lowest mileage and least number of owners as possible, or is that too much? What about servicing? Should I be looking for a car that has a full service history from the dealer or not worry about stuff like that as long as it has been regularly serviced? Apologies for all the newbie questions I've asked, but as you'll be able to tell I have zero knowledge about these sort of things. If you know someone who's a member/part of the RAC or AA, get them to see if they can bring one of their "specialists" along with you to check the thing out and see whether its really worth the money. Low mileage is handy, generally means it should be in good knick, but with a second hand motor, low is still alot generally. One recommendation i will make to you. When i first passed, i started driving like a moron. I mean, i was doing 50 in 30 zones!! Don't do it lol. I thankfully never got caught or hurt anyone. In fact, it was the thought of that which made me slow right down. Thankfully, the only thing i get moaned at now is the "boy racer" gear changes, well, that's what the girlfriend called them ;D |
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Post by greeny253 on Jun 16, 2009 15:23:19 GMT
Lastly (I know you're all getting fed up with the questions) ;D, when buying second hand, should I generally go for the lowest mileage and least number of owners as possible, or is that too much? What about servicing? Should I be looking for a car that has a full service history from the dealer or not worry about stuff like that as long as it has been regularly serviced? Apologies for all the newbie questions I've asked, but as you'll be able to tell I have zero knowledge about these sort of things. If you know someone who's a member/part of the RAC or AA, get them to see if they can bring one of their "specialists" along with you to check the thing out and see whether its really worth the money. Low mileage is handy, generally means it should be in good knick, but with a second hand motor, low is still alot generally. One recommendation i will make to you. When i first passed, i started driving like a moron. I mean, i was doing 50 in 30 zones!! Don't do it lol. I thankfully never got caught or hurt anyone. In fact, it was the thought of that which made me slow right down. Thankfully, the only thing i get moaned at now is the "boy racer" gear changes, well, that's what the girlfriend called them ;D I'll second that. Firstly the limit is there for a reason (and if some muppet behind you sits on your tail slow down a bit more ;D) and secondly after you pass your test you are on a VERY short line for two years. Get 6 points in that time and it's "bye bye licence, hello again L plates" and you will have to do it all over again - lessons, theory, hazard perception AND test. Don't chance it. And John - try shifting at lower rev ranges (though obviously not TOO low) - it'll save you fuel. Now back to the cars - early 206's are apparently prone for electrical failure (not sure about the newer ones) so the the Golf is a good shout. As for cars with low mileage/fewest owners - cars like that generally cost more but it is worth it in the long run. Service history isn't AS important as you can always have it serviced (or get a mechanically minded family member to do it for you) when you buy it. And, having learned the hard way from experience - when buying used cars find out when the timing belt was changed last and get it done if it needs it! If that belt goes you're looking at an expensive engine rebuild (often more than the car is actually worth) or worse a total loss which sucks anyway. Here's the anti speeding video that slowed me down. I did a speed trap in Upminster when I was with the police cadets and saw this one. It stayed with me to say the least. |
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Post by john on Jun 16, 2009 15:28:57 GMT
Oh weren't the revs that were the problem, more the speed of the changes ;D Think i was averaging around 3000rpm, which is what i was always told by my instructor anyway
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Post by greeny253 on Jun 16, 2009 15:31:20 GMT
Oh weren't the revs that were the problem, more the speed of the changes ;D Think i was averaging around 3000rpm, which is what i was always told by my instructor anyway Ha ha ;D ;D Does she drive? Back seat drivers |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 15:40:51 GMT
Oh weren't the revs that were the problem, more the speed of the changes ;D Think i was averaging around 3000rpm, which is what i was always told by my instructor anyway Personally I favour changing below 2500rpm on the flat in a petrol (obviously it would depend on the specific car model). In a diesel I don't go beyong 1500rpm. I don't like the sound of screaming engines. ;D |
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Post by greeny253 on Jun 16, 2009 15:44:04 GMT
Oh weren't the revs that were the problem, more the speed of the changes ;D Think i was averaging around 3000rpm, which is what i was always told by my instructor anyway Personally I favour changing below 2500rpm on the flat in a petrol (obviously it would depend on the specific car model). In a diesel I don't go beyong 1500rpm. I don't like the sound of screaming engines. ;D There's only one engine I like the sound of loud and that's a motorbike  Or more specifically a 600cc Thundercat I test rode a while back |
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Post by john on Jun 16, 2009 16:04:36 GMT
Oh weren't the revs that were the problem, more the speed of the changes ;D Think i was averaging around 3000rpm, which is what i was always told by my instructor anyway Ha ha ;D ;D Does she drive? Back seat drivers She does actually as it was hers i was driving lol. Her face was a picture, just pure shock ;D |
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Post by lc1 on Jun 17, 2009 5:08:16 GMT
I actually got complimented for quick gear changes by my driving instructor all them years ago.
DLA the Ibiza should be as reliable as a VW Polo as I said it is basically the same car slightly different body and equipment and a SEAT badge.
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- I'm very tempted to purchase a 206, Polo or Ibiza, as long as they are in the insurance group 3 category and cost between £900-1300. Don't fancy the Ford Ka, Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa, I don't even know why. 
I will do some more research later and spend some qualty time on the Parker's website as well as compare prices on the Auto Trader site.
Or more specifically a 600cc Thundercat I test rode a while back