First car suggestions

stothy862

Hi guys!

I am 17 years old and have got my driving test next month, all going well I will pass first time (touch wood) and after this I will in fact be looking for a car!

As I am only employed part time and in full time education I am still looking for something with an initial cost of under £1000 (negotiable), as low running costs as possible, low fuel consumption, cheap to insure and reliable!

I know that is a big ask but if possible all these need to be filled!

There are a few cars I would really like:

Aygo/107/C1 all the same car but great first car! If I could find one under £2000 (any help?)

Austin Mini - The Classic mini as no tax to be paid, lower insurance premiums and retains its value! To add to this driving a car without assists help to build driving skills! Can't find any in good condition for under £2000 though

They're the 2 main contendors but I have done some research and this is what I discovered, these cars are the best for under £1000 that are still cheap to insure:

Toyota Yaris 1.0 (1999) VW Polo 1.0 (1999) Nissan Micra 1.0 (2001) Suzuki Swift 1.0 (2001)

I can find all these for under £1000 within 60 miles of me, they are 1L so cheaper insurance, they are fairly reliable models and except for the VW cheap to replace parts.

However that is where my research has ended. I can't do any more research as there is nothing else I can find on the internet and from parents! I have heard Car Auctions are good places for cheap cars, IF you know how to repair cars which I don't.

I would ideally like a Classic car due to the financial perks but is it true you can't build NC?

And finally, are there any of my favourite cars for under £2000? Have you had any experiences with the listed cars? And any other recommendations for a first car?

Thanks to anyone that offers any advice!

Jake

marksandsparx

Sod it.. just get a fiat panda 1000 cl . 1989-1991 .. thats cheap on every level!

Stigy

I doubt you'll have much luck fining the cars on your list for the price you want to pay. Classic Minis go for silly money for decent examples, too. The Yaris would be a good contender and is reasonably priced at about £1,000. Vauxhall Corsas are popular as first cars, although mainly the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder model, which lacks street cred, but is cheap to run nonetheless (should get a 2003ish model for around £1,800 to £2,000).

LandyAndy

To answer one of your Qs. Classic car policies don't usually offer NCD.

LandyAndy

99% of the joy in owning a car at 17 is in the ownership (and associated freedom) not the make or model so get a list of the cheapest models to insure and pick the best example you can find from cars on that list.

stothy862

Ok then so I have done all this and entered a Corsa 1L pretty bog standard 3dr into price comparison with parent named drivers and job description checked etc... Yet the cheapest insurance I can get is just under £2500! How is this? Anyone got any suggestions for reducing this?

LandyAndy

stothy862 wrote: »

Ok then so I have done all this and entered a Corsa 1L pretty bog standard 3dr into price comparison with parent named drivers and job description checked etc... Yet the cheapest insurance I can get is just under £2500! How is this? Anyone got any suggestions for reducing this?

That sounds about right.

My eldest son is 17 in August.

Welcome to the reality of car ownership for young men.:(

stothy862

Oh ... well thanks for the help! Any other little tricks you can advise of?

LandyAndy

Do you need your own car?

My son doesn't. I intend to add him as a named driver on my policy on the car that I use every day, so that he can use it occasionally. You have to be careful of 'fronting'.

spiro

£2.5k sounds about right based on recent press reports about the cost of insurance for young drivers.

As you work, if you intend to drive to work dont forget the insurance will need to be 'Commuting' not 'Social, Domestic & Pleasure'.

Limey

The Corsa is a popular car for people starting to drive, try something a little less popular for quotes.

e.g: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C222090

(No it's not mine)