First car.

Menagerie_2

I'm sure loads of people have asked similar questions, sorry. But I know >nothing< about cars.
I haven't passed my driving test yet, but when I do what car should I get? I'd like to find the cheapest one to tax and insure (I'm 22, female, 0 no claims bonus, student) and the most economical on petrol. It'll have to be a very cheap second hand car.
Also, anyone got any recommendation for insurers? 'seventeentofourty' gave a good online quote but it wasn't a full quote and there were assumptions made like I'd held the licence for at least a year etc.
Cheers everyone.
Steph.

ArsenalFC

I would recommend a nissan micra. Cheap reliable car and low insurance. You can get a decent one for about £1000 check https://www.autotrader.co.uk

Make sure you get one with power steering and some service history. With insurer try https://www.confused.com or diamond.co.uk for women drivers. If you have a bigger budget then I would recommend the toyota yaris.

maclean2

Hi - for insurance you could try Quinn Direct or ecarinsurance.co.uk.They are both cheap for students and under 25's.

As for the car stick to engine size below 1100cc in insurance group 1-3.
Parkers.co.uk have a listing of the car groups on their site.This keeps the insurance premium down

HTH

Chris_VRS

for insurance for us 'younger' people i'd try - Tesco, Directline, Churchill and Admiral...online obviously..10% online discount offered by most!

Depending on budget >£1000 i'd be looking at a Clio, 1.4RT after '94 will get you power steering, electric windows, sunroof and remote central locking which you'll struggle to find on something like a Micra of equivalent value.

If your budget stretches to slightly more (£3k) then it has to be a Yaris!

Quinny_2

Steph.As others have suggested,you can only buy,what your budget allows,and as you haven't revealed your budget,no-one can give you a definitive answer as to what to buy.

Also,will your budget include tax and insurance for the car,or are they going to be a seperate thing?

Give us a clue on all the above,then we may be able to help you more.

(And I have no connection with the insurance company mentioned above by Maclean2!!!)

Ken.

abbecer

I found my corsa to be a reliable car. Also cheap on parts when things did occassionally go wrong. Insurance was pretty cheap too. I've been insured with elephant and am happy with premiums. Also good about Corsa's is they tend to hold their value quite a bit. Sold mine for £700 last month and only paid £800 for it nearly 3 years before. Only got rid of it because my back desperately needed a 4 door after lifting two babies in and out!!

rebecca x :rotfl:

tomstickland

Nissan Micra is a good option. Nissan are streets ahead of Ford, Vauxhall, Peugot etc when it comes to long term reliablility.
You can buy cars with 12 month's MOT for £400, but it's probably better to spend £1000 an go for something a bit better. £1600 buys you a near perfect car.

Menagerie_2

Sorry I should have mentioned my price range! Cheers for all your suggestions, I'm going to have a look on the 'net at those cars and insurers now. My budget would deffinately be less than a grand for the car, if it's going to cost about that for a years insurance, then there's tax and mot on top of that which I have no idea of the cost, then it'll have to be quite a bit less than £1000. As low as possible really. I know that won't get me a very good second hand car, but what i really need is one to get me through the next couple of years, then my budget will have changed. I've been looking at old Skodas because I think I read somewhere they were cheap to insure?

ArsenalFC

The old skoda are not reliable, dont get it. Get yourself a micra instead, they have excellent reliability. Road tax is about £110 for the micra; insurance, do a sample check on those sites to see how much is will cost to insure on a 1.0.

There are loads of micras for under £1000 on autotraders, make sure u get one with power steering.

tkblueyonder

exellent insurance comparison website does a search of over 50 companies in one go i managed to save £200 on my annual policy!http://www.moneysupermarket.com/motor/

Quinny_2

Power steering Micras were post 1996.I know becasue my wife has an early 96 Micra 1.3 SR,and despite the fact it goes like a rocket,it doesn't have power steering.

It was then available on all Micras after this date.Even the 1.0litre ones.

For cheapness,then I would recommend a late Citroen AX.They were made until P reg,which is the point the Saxo took over. (Same running gear,different shell,much like the Peugeot 106) All right they don't have power steering,but it's fairly light anyhow,and the front panels are bolt on,if you have a bump,they run on fresh air,and are not that prone to surface rust until they get really old.

My neighbours daughter has one that's a 94 on an M plate,and despite it's 95k on the clock,is immaculate.It's the 1.0litre variety,but there are also plenty of 1.1litre ones available,which are usually a better specification in regards to the interior levels,and are also a little bit quicker.I also happen to race a 1.1 in Autograss,but it's a little bit more than standard!!!!!

Ken.