New driver - 31- what car?

jc808

Im in Kent in a very densely populated area with exceleent transport links but !!!!!! parking.

Ive got my test next week -eek- and im 31 (Yes, late I know)

For my first car I really only want to spend no more than 2k
After a banger really, what would you recommend?

Thx for any suggestions

atrixblue.-MFR-.

in this case its not about a recomendation, its about what criteria you have.

kids.

work.

travel distance to work and year mileage.

what cars have you been looking at, and whats the insurance like on them#

jc808

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

in this case its not about a recomendation, its about what criteria you have.

kids.

work.

travel distance to work and year mileage.

what cars have you been looking at, and whats the insurance like on them#

hi mate

no kids

will be using the motor very little if at all for work (itll be used on occasion to ferry my elderly mother about and other things, like a bit of shopping etc)

been looking at things like 10 year old vws (c£1000) and old bangers like astras and fiestas c400 pounds

atrixblue.-MFR-.

mk4 golf 1.4 16v -1.6 16v again avoid the bora

skoda octavia mk1 1.4 1.6 avoid VRS in whole different world insurance prices.

bmw 316i.

hyundai accent.

toyota starlet 1.3.

dont go for a diesel.

if insurance is wickedly high on any car 15 years or younger then look at classic cars and classic insurance, they dont give you NCB, but at the end of the day with the prices that much lower than conventional insurance and your age and low miles you wont really miss having a NCB build up.

think out of the box, normal run of the mill common cars fetch a higher premium due to them being invovled in accidents more, take the like of saxo's fiesta's punto's 106 206 focus all common and all likely to have a premuim because they are mostly cars picked by new drivers.

with a 2k budget, adjust yourself to have cash ready for service, timing belt, unexpected breakdowns, i would plant myself firmly at around £1400 maximum and not a penny more to put the extra away for these such things assuming you set aside for insurance tax separatly thats if you cant clinch a deal for a mini service and timing belt kit and water upon dealer/trader purchase.

with cars the age your looking at, one with low mileage would be a concern to me, i wouldnt so much bothered with no FSH reciepts i would be looking at to make sure the car has been looked after and maintained. check the car over fully, its worth a HPI or AA/RAC vehicle inspection, and a check on the direct gov website mot history check to review its MOT history and any advisorys from it last years and new mot that way youll know if things such as corrosion is a likely problem in the future as well as brakes and subframe conditions and suspension wheel bearings with slight play etc.

jc808

cheers mate ill have a look

jc808

passed my test yestyerday lol (was a bag of nerves and failed the test mentioned earlier)

any more advice would be great, im digesting the advice kindly given above

paddedjohn

Write yourself a list of possible cars, put your details into an insurance comparison site and keep changing the car until you get yourself a quote you are happy with. Even at 31 it might cost you a few bob because you are a new driver. Congratulations on passing.

fivetide

Yes congrats.

From what you've said a small hatchback would be spot on. The Starlet mentioned earlier is a good car. The korean stuff deprecites quickly and is generally very reliable so things like Diahatsu Charade, Hyundai Getz et al would all be good and you might well get a newer better specced one in your budget than you would a Fiesta.

cheghead

Have a look at Mitsubishi Colt. Should be able to get an 04 plate for around 2-3k.

jc808

Looks like itll be a Vauxhall Corsa Club 1.0l Manual Petrol

(Insurance/ tax band 1E)

Ive been quoted as little as £600 for this vehicle insurance-wise we shall see....

forgotmyname

Just because its a group 1 doesnt mean its the cheapest to insure.

I bet i can find a bunch of cars at least 4 groups higher that are cheaper to insure.

Corsa = popular with new drivers so fairly high risk.