Recommend a car

Kayl06

Can't afford Aygos and not sure if i trust Toyotas after the recalls. Insurance is quite a bit more than polos for the yaris too. Haven't looked at peugeots yet, but don't fancy the 206, they're a bit too common around here.

I have my test the end of the month and my instructor has said he doesn't want to take me out after my test if i fail, there's nothing else he can teach me and it will be better to go out driving with parents to gain confidence. Otherwise i would be waiting until i pass to buy it.

I do like the ibiza, brother has one. But there isn't a great deal of room in the back of a 3 door and they're a bit out of my price range i think. My brother probably would be too happy about it either.

Seriously considering the polo, but not sure whether to wait a year or so and buy a newer one. I could get a 55 C2 for less than a 53 polo.

I don't like fiestas, end of. I don't have to explain why to anyone.

Hintza

Hope you can get this but the Panda is 4th in the reliability survey for small cars.

http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/car-reliability-106457.pdf

buglawton

With 100 miles per week in mind as OP said, it seems obvious that a newish car, ideally still in warranty, is considered. The way to go then would be a small used Hyundia or Kai with many years of free warranty left. Even gets lots of extras and safely features that Golf owner can only dream of.

But... that's not the fashionable answer.

Inactive

buglawton wrote: »

But... that's not the fashionable answer.

It isn't sadly, but it is very good advice.

flyingscotno1

TR4 wrote: »

No, No, No!

In the trade FIAT stands for:

Fix It Again Tomorrow!

I assume that insurance will be also a major factor, so I would recommend something German (Polo, Lupo, smaller engined Golfs), Japanese - though some are assembled in the UK (Micras in particular are well thought of).

If image is not a problem to you, you could consider Hyundai and Kia, but be warned, some things are cheap for a reason!

You mean the same way Ford is Fix Or Repair Daily too? Main problem with FIAT is the dealers can be a bit iffy, but cars are certainly not as bad as 10 years ago, French cars tend to be more generally poor across the board. The Panda is one of the most reliable small cars out there and has been for several years.

Some of the stuff you mention is a bit silly going too much on past reputations- Kia's Ceed finished much higher in the last driver power than VW's Golf- the Fiat Bravo was 22 for reliability whist the Golf was 49th! I take these with a pinch of salt, but they still give a good indication.

VW promotes itself well, but actually the cars can have a few wee niggles and are not as good as the cheaper Skodas!

TR4

Hintza wrote: »

Have you driven one?

One thing Fiat have always been good at are small cars. The Panda is also one of the lower depreciating cars around just now.

As for VW are you not just buying the hype perhaps?

By the way my OH and my daughter both have a Panda. We got rid of the Golf to replace it with a Panda.

I have had the misfortune to have driven many over the 27 years I've spent in and around the motor trade.

If you and your other half have both got reliable Fiats then you have been very, very lucky.

warehouse

OK, let's be honest, you're young and ANY car won't do. You need to add to your list that it needs to be a bit "hip" as well. A Nissan Micra isn't going to cut the mustard. So for a cheap car, low insurance group, economical, trendy AND reliable, I'd suggest the following:

Citroen C3
Renault Clio
Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Corsa

flyingscotno1

TR4 wrote: »

I have had the misfortune to have driven many over the 27 years I've spent in and around the motor trade.

If you and your other half have both got reliable Fiats then you have been very, very lucky.

Surely with 27 years in the motortrade you wouldn't be buying VW as so many other of the mechanics on these boards state!

AdrianHi

Fiat Panda does seem to rate well on reliability these days. Sister-in-law has one no troubles with it at all.
Skoda Fabia roomy and comfortable with a great reliability reputation.
Honda Jazz 1.2 is insurance group 3 and a bit more stylish.

Don't right off Toyota just because of this accelerator issue affecting cars made outside Japan using accelerator parts from a company call CTS.
PSA Peugeot Citroen are also affected by this at the factory where the Citroen C1, Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo (all essentially the same car) are built.
They are and have been for a long time the producer of some of the most reliable cars going.

catflea

Cant speak for fiestas in your price range, but the Mk3 cars in my experience are fantastic little beasties! I just couldn't kill my old N reg one - it took all sorts of abuse. Of course, it is your choice to discount the festers, but I would question the wisdom of it.

In terms of good first cars then IMHO spend 1k and use the rest for the insurance :eek:

Try to stick to 1.1 or under, use it for a year (or more!) to get your NCB going and then start to look at more expensive cars

Daewoo/Chevvy Matiz
Fiat Cinquecento / Seicento
Pug 106
Citroen Saxo
Toyota Starlet

Alternativly why not go down the route of a classic? Classic insurance is substantially cheaper than conventional and you dont have the worry of depreciation either. You will also have the advantage of not having the same as everyone else! Although on most classic policies you wont earn NCB

Suggestions:

Mini
Morris Minor
BMC 1100/1300
VW Beetle
Citroen 2CV
Mk1 Fiesta