Advice needed about cars, insurance, the lot!

Chickabiddybex

I've had my licence since I was 18 but I've never needed a car (or been able to afford one!)
Now I'm 24 and I've found it difficult to find a car and insurance that isn't reeeeaaally expensive!
There are lots of offers with free insurance etc for the first year but they're not available for under 25s.
I don't have any no claims bonus as I've not been insured (I just rent a car when I need one)

Not sure where I start. I can't afford a new car but don't want to get an old banger that costs me an arm and a leg in insurance, tax, MOTs and repairs.

Can anyone suggest which cars would be best for me to look at and what age range? And does anyone have any good tips for lower insurance payments?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

fivetide

What do you want to car to do?

The cheapest will be the 1.0 city based cars but if you are suddenly needing a car to do motorway runs or carry anythign more than a few bags of shopping they will be useless.

Start with what you actually need the car to do and we can work from there

Joe_Horner

What sort of price range for buying and what sort of use will it get? How happy are you to learn basic servicing yourself? Do you know (or know anyone who can recommend) a reliable local garage?

citykid5

you could always consider buying a classic car as most specialist insurers don't take ncd into account? my recomendation would be a citreon 2cv a five year old could work on one

Chickabiddybex

I only need it for a 3.5 mile commute each day and a weekly trip to the super market. Maybe 4-6 times a year I'll take it on a long motorway journey (visiting relatives)

My budget is around £5000 max for the car as I looked at finance options over 3 years and that's the most I can afford. But I'd prefer to pay the least amount possible!

I've looked at the Chevvy Spark and the Citroen C1 Vibe.

Re: servicing myself, to what degree do you mean? My mum's boyfriend used to work in a garage and he'd be able to fix most problems (provided parts or specialist equipment isn't needed)

Splott

Chickabiddybex wrote: »

There are lots of offers with free insurance etc for the first year but they're not available for under 25s.

Vauxhall are doing special offers on Corsas and the free insurance is for 21-65 year olds.

fivetide

You do know a short run like that is likely to kill a car quicker than lots of hig miles? It'll strugle to ever really get up to temperature so I'd take it on a decent drive at least once a week.

The C1 is the same as the toyota Aygo I believe. If 5k is your overall budget it might be best to go around 3.5k, leave a grand for insurance and £500 in case it needs anything doing. (unless of course you've already accounted for that in your budgeting)

Will have a look and see if anything stands out....

Joe_Horner

citykid5 wrote: »

you could always consider buying a classic car as most specialist insurers don't take ncd into account? my recomendation would be a citreon 2cv a five year old could work on one

That's the direction I was thinking. Some are cheap to buy, maintenance can be kept low by doing the (easy) basics and repairs tend to be straightforward (and so cheap).

Insurance will be a LOT cheaper than anything else, fuel costs not as bad as people think for most use, and you get bags of individuality for your money rather than just another box on wheels!

Chickabiddybex

Sorry for my ignorance but I don't know what you mean when you say classic car! It makes me think of a 1950s number and I'm almost certain you're not talking about that!

For the record I got a quote for just over £600 a year for insurance based on a Citroen C1. That's with my mum as a second driver (shaved off £100 by doing that! Plus it will be very useful in case I need her to drive it for some reason)

citykid5

Joe_Horner wrote: »

That's the direction I was thinking. Some are cheap to buy, maintenance can be kept low by doing the (easy) basics and repairs tend to be straightforward (and so cheap).

Insurance will be a LOT cheaper than anything else, fuel costs not as bad as people think for most use, and you get bags of individuality for your money rather than just another box on wheels!

and a car that is likely to go up in value rather then loseing money like a sive:beer:

StrongWork

citykid5 wrote: »

you could always consider buying a classic car as most specialist insurers don't take ncd into account? my recomendation would be a citreon 2cv a five year old could work on one

Notsureifseriousjoker.jpeg

24 year old woman with no interest/knowledge in cars and you are recommending something:
- old
- unreliable versus modern equivalents
- will need constant maintenance
- rust rust rust
- not comfortable
- lacks modern features (good heater!?)
- crash in it and you will die

For 5k get yourself a modern little runabout as it appears that is what you need. I'm thinking Fiesta, Ka, Honda Jazz etc. Nothing too fancy but has all the basic stuff you'll want/need - aircon, electric windows, decent stereo etc.

Insurance shouldn't be a killer as you are now >21. Just take your time and build up your NCB.