First car!

Odette

Hello everyone! I have my test in a month and Im getting prepared to pass (then or a couple of months after!).

I dont want to spend much over 500 quid in my first few years of car ownership as I imagine it will get bumped and scraped to bits (though will be trying not to of course). So perhaps a bit of Bangernomics is in order...

What kind of models should I be looking for? I have no idea about the world of cars! Although I have been looking at 1993-6 Nissan Micra's.

Things I want.
Reliable.
Economical.
Low tax/insurance.
Hatchback.
Not bothered about how it looks/radio/extras/as long as it drives!

I imagine something similar has been posted before but i couldnt find anything..

anewman

Nissan micra would be a good option. You've been looking in the right sort of direction.,

Sirbendy

hmm..yes..Micra, older Fiesta (loads of them around), Corsa..all have small engines if needed and abundant (and in Ford/Vauxhalls case, cheap) parts, combined with the fact they're quite simple and can take some thrashing.

best thing is there are LOADS of the above in scrapyards etc, if they're needed. It's one of the considerations I always have when buying - buy an oddball, and parts can be a right pain.

Avoid older Renaults..cheapish insurance, expensive parts - hence why I'm not looking Renault now I need another vehicle. They're fun to drive, but..heh...I've had my share of eyewatering bills..£300 for an exhaust sticks in the mind.

geordie458

Skoda Felicia. Son has just got one after passing his test in February. Nice little car, reliable, cheap to run and the badge snobbery of some people seems to keep prices lower than the likes of Fiestas, Corsas etc.

McKneff

Just remember, if you are buying privately they are selling it for a reason.
Try to buy from a dealer. Friend of mine at work spent his carefully saved £550 on a private car sale that needed £800 worth of work after it broke down 2 weeks later.
He was absolutely heartbroken that the car had to be scrapped.

anewman

anniehanlon wrote: »

Just remember, if you are buying privately they are selling it for a reason.
Try to buy from a dealer. Friend of mine at work spent his carefully saved £550 on a private car sale that needed £800 worth of work after it broke down 2 weeks later.
He was absolutely heartbroken that the car had to be scrapped.

Second hand car sales men/women aren't always the best people to deal with either unfortunately. Many will happily sell you a scrapper for a few hundred quid. Best bet is at a MFR's dealers, but then they won't sell anything over a certain age or under a certain price of a £few k.

Sirbendy

very true. And yes, Skoda's a thought - I'm still not quite back up to mental speed again, and I've probably missed a lot.

When you go to look, take a trusted person with you who knows about cars, or invest in an AA check.

I went to look at a new car today - an X reg Astra auto. Since I just had my P reg written off, I was able to go over the engine/gearbox/underside/running gear because it was the same.

Add to that, it has a full service history and one owner, immaculate bodywork, and I get a 3 month warranty with it, and I think I may have a nice little vehicle. I did notice that it had the safety system and engine warning lights on, and I was able to negotiate a full workover, service and delivery to my workplace for an extended "pre final pay" test drive.

Always pays to know what you need to look for..inspections are money well spent.

ArsenalFC

Micra is very good for a 1st car, it has a cam chain so don't have to worry about belts.
A ford fiesta mark 4 (96-99) 1.25 is better drive and better engine than the 1.0 micra. I had the micra previously and now driving a 1998 fiesta and I much, much prefer the fiesta for the drive quality and equipment, £600 for an R reg last october, 1.25 top spec ghia model.

Sirbendy

I looked at the 1.25 with a degree of interest, as I see a few of those...

Missus put her foot down - "no. I don't like that type". heyho. She wanted at least a mk6.