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A Car For A New Driver

Kimberley
Kimberley Posts: 14,871 Forumite
Hi

I have booked my driving test for 3rd June this year. I will be a new driver so for my first car I don't want to pay out more then £700 for obvious reasons.

Any suggestions? Must be Automatic. I have seen some advertised from £400 but I don't want to be ripped off if it's on it's last legs, it's just for me to use for a year to get experience and then i'll get a better one.
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Comments

  • hethmar
    hethmar Posts: 10,678 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    Being automatic really cuts down your choice of second hand car. I think its going to be a case of you having to trawl the local papers for weeks and finding the car rather than setting your mind on a make and then looking.
  • hethmar
    hethmar Posts: 10,678 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    What have you been using to learn in? Are you happy with it?
  • Kimberley
    Kimberley Posts: 14,871 Forumite
    Right i'll save the cash up first and then start looking. I see plenty of auto cars so they can't be that rare. How do I know that the car is good for the money asked?
  • Kimberley
    Kimberley Posts: 14,871 Forumite
    hethmar wrote: »
    What have you been using to learn in? Are you happy with it?

    Lol I know it's a car but thats it :D I will check tomorrow when i have my lesson, yes I like the car.
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    OP, you need to consider how much it's going to cost to insure any car you buy - you haven't said how old you are, but if you are under 21 you may find insurance prohibitively expensive for anything over about 1.2 litres engine capacity.
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
  • Kimberley
    Kimberley Posts: 14,871 Forumite
    OP, you need to consider how much it's going to cost to insure any car you buy - you haven't said how old you are, but if you are under 21 you may find insurance prohibitively expensive for anything over about 1.2 litres engine capacity.

    Lol I wish I were 21. I'm 42 :o
  • DCodd
    DCodd Posts: 8,187 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Kimberley wrote: »
    Hi

    I have booked my driving test for 3rd June this year. I will be a new driver so for my first car I don't want to pay out more then £700 for obvious reasons.

    Any suggestions? Must be Automatic. I have seen some advertised from £400 but I don't want to be ripped off if it's on it's last legs, it's just for me to use for a year to get experience and then i'll get a better one.
    If you buy privately then you leave yourself open to buying a heap (if you have no-one who knows about cars), so to minimise risks:

    Buy from a trader with premises where you can view and test drive the car (you should then get 3 months warranty).

    Ask the trader if you can have it checked by the AA or RAC (If it is a dog then they will probably refuse)

    You could always get it checked by the AA or RAC or similar and join a breakdown recovery organisation just in case.

    Good Luck.
    Always get a Qualified opinion - My qualifications are that I am OLD and GRUMPY:p:p
  • NEH
    NEH Posts: 2,464 Forumite
    Kimberley wrote: »
    Right i'll save the cash up first and then start looking. I see plenty of auto cars so they can't be that rare. How do I know that the car is good for the money asked?


    Wish i lived where you were! Autos in some areas can be extremely rare. I struggled to get a good automatic both in the North East and then when i changed it in the NOrth East of Scotland as well....

    Anyway the thing i found that helped me most was to test drive a number of cars to get a feel of them and what i liked. For that amount of money i would be wary about buying privately too. Insurance will be more for a new driver so make sure you shop around even if you are over 21 they still add on a premium for new drivers.
  • hethmar
    hethmar Posts: 10,678 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    Yes, very rare in this area too, unless its a big car like a Merc. I think you may find its a bit like buying a new dress - you see ones you like all the time when you dont have the money, when you actually go armed to buy then you cant see one.
  • montrose5
    montrose5 Posts: 160 Forumite
    Kimberley wrote: »
    Lol I wish I were 21. I'm 42 :o

    If you're classified as an inexperienced driver it will still be expensive.You could get a decent large car for 700 and be hit for the same in insurance
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