Good 1st car?

greyster

Hi

I passed my driving test yesterday and starting a new job in a few weeks which requires a car for commuting.

I'm not sure whether I'll get a new car or second hand deal but just interested to see what the best offers at the moment.

Ford Ka and Corsas seem to be popular first cars? Are there any other suggestions, including the package they come in?

I've heard about 6k for new cars with free warranty, insurance and finance, where are these deals? Just curious.

balsingh

Fords and Vauxhalls are always safe bets. Cheap to maintain, insure and run. OBviosuly, your budget will determine whether to buy new or used. I suggest used for better deals.

The 6k cars you mention are probably Citroen C2s. They always seems to be churning out new bargain with their cashback deals etc.

Ken68

Get a van....useful for carting bargains.

Pummy

If you are a new driver then seriously consider a 2nd hand car. Not only will the original investment be lower, the loss of that investment when you sell on will be small. Also if you get little knocks and dents then it will not be so painful to see.

Also there are many a bargain to be had on the 2nd hand market. 1 Lady owners and all you could pick up a real bargain and then get a new car once you have been able to master real driving.

Please do not take it as a direct insult on your ability after just passing, just that you still need a little time to get used to driving and if the worse happens, you will not be too much out of pocket for it.

If on the other hand you have a little cash to play with then go for it.

congrats on passing btw.

indiegirl_2

Congratulations on your test pass!

I would suggest also looking at a Toyota Yaris - you should be able to pick up a decent used bargain within your budget. The Yaris is a superb fun little car and has a bit more credibility (and reliability!) than the Corsas of the world. They're also cheap to insure. Nissan Micra is also a good bet but you're looking at an older-shape model for your money (or a very basic early version of the current bubble model)...

When I bought my current car, I checked online through some 'big' internet companies (as found on Honest John), and priced up the car I wanted. I then visited a local garage to see if they would match the online deal - one would.

The 'free' insurance is often not worth the money, and IMO it is better negotiating a discount off of the car instead. I have heard in the past that some insurance companies will not accept a 'free' claim-free insurance towards a No Claims' Discount on a driver's next insurance. Also, be aware that some 'free' insurance deals have age restrictions (some I have seen as advertising to over 21's only!).

greyster

I'm 23 fortunately That is interesting info about the insurance companies and free insurance. Thanks everyone.

Indiegirl, you referred to Honest John. Where on the site can you look for deals? I just found Parker's which looks helpful.

tomstickland

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/home/index.htm

Buy 2nd hand.

Loads of cars to choose. Corsa, Ka, Fiesta, 106, Saxo, Micras.
All very similar really. Corsas probably the worst for driving fun, 106 probably best. Reliability and parts availability pretty similar for all. Ford/Vauxhall aren't the best built cars in the world, but then again Peugots are made from cardboard.

My mother had just bought a 2000 model Micra for £1700 and it's immaculate. At the £1500-2000 price point you can buy very clean 5-6 year old cars.

I'd also advise looking at a much ignored favourite of mine - Nissan Almera.

arrowsmith

indiegirl wrote:

The 'free' insurance is often not worth the money, and IMO it is better negotiating a discount off of the car instead. I have heard in the past that some insurance companies will not accept a 'free' claim-free insurance towards a No Claims' Discount on a driver's next insurance. Also, be aware that some 'free' insurance deals have age restrictions (some I have seen as advertising to over 21's only!).

Free insurance can be manufacture backed and not effect the price you can get the car for, to find out if you can get it cheaper ask for the price with and without(in most cases there will be no difference). 0% finance is also only true if you agree a cash price first and then say you want it 0% finance over several months for the same total figure.

If your looking for the best car and deal at the moment then the Kia Picanto is the one to go for £5299 including one years Insurance, 3 Years RAC and 3 Years unlimited mileage warranty.
http://www.kia-bcc.co.uk/id42.htm

For something slightly larger, without the insurage but with a 5 year warranty is the Hyundai Getz
£5495
http://www.hyundai-bcc.co.uk/id56.htm

tomstickland

The trouble with free insurance is that the resale value of the car can suffer as 1000s of other young drivers offload the vehicle at the end of the free insurance period.

I wouldn't spend £5-6K on a new car - spend £2-2.5K on a 2nd hand car. You'll get more car for your money.

highguyuk

I spent £2.5k on an 8 year old Peugeot 306 - and I love my car. Nice 1.6 Engine in it, nice design. Get an early phase 2 around £2k mark now, phase 3 more expensive.

sxi-kenny

my first car was a 1 year old corsa sxi, great on fuel and insurance, plus it was quiet a nippy wee car, looked quiet good aswell, black, tinted windows, alloys irmscher grill etc etc

sold that about 4 months ago with only about a 1g loss on it

now driving a 1994 nissan skyline 2.5 turbo gts, insurance is expensive but its worth it !!!!