Got a job but I now need a car for it.

Willem-de-Blois

I've been offered a job that begins next Monday which would see me doing a job that I graduated to do for the first time. The most important thing is that I start getting experience in the profession that I studied for as opposed to floating between bar work, casual work and unemployment.

The thing is that there is a fair amount of travelling with the profession that I am trying to get established in. My new job will see me travelling between Oxfordshire and Cornwall although the commute to the office where I'll be based will only be 15 minutes from my abode.

So I need to buy a car that would be suitable for both motorways and Cornish style roads. I know nothing about cars as I've never owned one before. I don't have a lot of money but my parents who are keen to see me established in a job will help me buy one.

Can anyone offer advice on the type of car that I should be looking at?

The only car that comes to mind is a 1.6l+ VW Golf.

Foxy-Stoat_3

Whats your budget for the car and how much will you have for the insurance?

If its your first car, which side of 21 are you?

Willem-de-Blois

I think I'll have between 5-8k for the car and the insurance.

I am over 21.

TrickyWicky

Golfs hold their value well. That means that when you sell it you'll still get a good amount for it. The downside is when buying one, you can expect to pay a steep price for what is essentially a pretty small but rather powerful car. Then because of the size / performance your insurance will be steeper than it could be.

My cousin earns over £50k a year in IT yet drives a 1.1 nissan micra. You'd laugh if you saw it as its a girly colour but it does the job he doesn't give a rats about it and he drives all over the place in it - including EUROPE.

There are more cars out there than street-cred golfs

Foxy-Stoat_3

One of these diesels should be ok, to name a few:
Audi A3/A4
VW Golf/Passat
Skoda Octavia

scaredofdebt

For fuel efficiency you'll find it hard to beat the new Fiesta - that would be in your price range but maybe a touch small for long-distance motorway work.

The diesel 1.6 engine would be the one to go for, the Titanium trim level cars have good specs including cruise control (not sure it it's standard), have a test drive, it is very comfortable.

Much cheaper than a Golf.

I'm looking to get one soon myself.

If you want street cred, then maybe not the one to go for, but neither is a Golf in my opinion!

nickcc

Don't be put off at the thought of Cornish roads as the A30 is mostly duelled and most of the remainder our probably better maintained than some other parts of the country. You will also find that the amount of traffic, even during the holiday season, is far less than many other towns and cities outside Cornwall, obviously travelling in and out of the county on a Saturday during the School and Bank holidays is best avoided. Diesel Fiestas are a good motor but I would never buy a Fiat, new ones may now be OK but older ones suffered extensively from corrosion problems.

forgotmyname

Why do people keep saying small cars are no good for long journeys?

I used to do 18,000 miles a year in a 1300cc austin metro. A mate at the time
used to travel from the midlands to hull 4 times a week in a 1L one.

I buy big cars now because they are cheaper to buy than small hatchbacks and running costs are not as high as you may think.

Doing 70mph in 6th gear i can average 60mpg+

Buy modern cars wisely.. Ask if they have a DPF... And how it works. Self regeneration. Are your journeys long enough?
Or does the dealer have to replenish fluids etc.

colino

As this is apparently initiated purely for work and you need a reliable, long-distance work-horse, that almost perfectly points you towards a lease car.

spiro

I suggest you start by going on the insurnace sites and putting in details for a few cars to determine how much the insurance will be. This will then show how much you have left for the car. You say over 21 but my understanding is 25 is the key age at which it drops noticeably.

Remember you need to have commuting and business travel on your car insurance plus higher level of cover if you carry goods (you dont say what job is).

forgotmyname

VW golf will be pricey on the insurance.