Cheap(ish) first car...any suggestions?

mqandy

I don't know if someones beat me to it, but that 5 series would be £5,000 a year insurance if your passing at 18 (don't know how much age makes a difference!)

My first car was a nippy old-shape fiesta. Fitted my 6' frame no problem!

gazfocus

mqandy wrote: »

I don't know if someones beat me to it, but that 5 series would be £5,000 a year insurance if your passing at 18 (don't know how much age makes a difference!)

My first car was a nippy old-shape fiesta. Fitted my 6' frame no problem!

Yeah, definately not looking at a BMW or Merc...no matter how old lol

Rolandtheroadie

I'm 6ft2, 22 stone (on a good day lol, try 22 1/2) and have just got shot of a TDCI Mondeo for a 3 door corsa (the wifes got the big car).
Previously the wifes had a Punto and a Fiesta. I have never had a problem unless (on occasion) a car has a sunroof which reduces the head height.
I've a 31 inch inside leg (long back) so the seat isnt even right back when I'm driving.
Recline the seat slightly more. That'll help a lot to avoid a cramped feeling.
Get on to confused and do some sample quotes for various cars. Being 25 will help slightly, but i'd still be thinking older and smaller. (try a quote for say a 1996 punto and a 2002 punto then a 1996 vectra and a 2001 vectra to give you a rough idea).

gazfocus

scotsman4th wrote: »

I'm 6ft2, 22 stone (on a good day lol, try 22 1/2) and have just got shot of a TDCI Mondeo for a 3 door corsa (the wifes got the big car).
Previously the wifes had a Punto and a Fiesta. I have never had a problem unless (on occasion) a car has a sunroof which reduces the head height.
I've a 31 inch inside leg (long back) so the seat isnt even right back when I'm driving.
Recline the seat slightly more. That'll help a lot to avoid a cramped feeling.
Get on to confused and do some sample quotes for various cars. Being 25 will help slightly, but i'd still be thinking older and smaller. (try a quote for say a 1996 punto and a 2002 punto then a 1996 vectra and a 2001 vectra to give you a rough idea).

Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, I know I can't cope with a corsa - I had driving lessons in one a few years ago and changed instructors because of the car. Fair enough, corsas have changed since, but for the kind of money I'll be spending, I would still be getting the old shape corsa which I drove in my lessons. Also, the insurance doesn't bother me too much - I tried a quote for a 2000 Fiesta out of interest and that was going to be £1200 so only £200 cheaper than the 2000 Vectra - I'd rather pay that bit more for a more comfortable car.

I do appreciate what you're saying though and maybe I should be looking for older cars (for the first year at least) but I'm just worried about buying something too old that will be riddled with problems 6 months down the line.