First car for 20 yr old male

KTurner

I've just recently passed my test and I'm looking for used car to buy that isn't going to cripple me in insurance, petrol and maintenance costs.

I will be using it to get to work and to generally socialise so I need something that will be reliable but I would like it to be slightly cool, however I understand that most of the cars I do like are out of my £2000 price range.

Any ideas?

Strider590

Buy something that ain't "cool" and ain't fast and ain't small. Insurance groups are a waste of time, as small car premiums get loaded up quite heavily (because they're a popular choice for young drivers).
Something the size of a Mundano, with a 1.6 or 1.8 petrol, would probably be the easiest to insure.

I mention it a lot, but 15 years ago a friend of mine (18) had a 2.0 Volvo 240 insured for around £300, whilst my 998cc Austin Metro was over £600 to insure.
When I phoned my insurance to get quotes for a potential next car, I tried his car details and it also came out cheaper for me.

I wouldn't suggest one of these old barges, but the point remains the same.

Foxy-Stoat_3

I would run a few quotes, for example 1.0 Yaris (nothing sporty) and a 1.8 Mondeo and see which one is cheaper.

That will give you an idea as to what car you should buy.

System

what's your budget for the insurance? that will limit what you can drive really, have a look at available cars close by and run some comparisons - there's always some random cars that have slightly bigger engines but cost less to insure as a first car (just accept that you might get ripped for driving a grandad mobile!)

FreddieFrugal

Cars I found cheap to insure for me searching around 3 years ago (21) were: Fiat Panda, Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris - Renault Modus probably but I didn't check at the time (wouldn't recommend the car myself but probably is cheap)

Reason being that they're small/smallish cars that are generally not favoured by boy racers (delicate way of saying a grannymobile) people who favour small, cheap to run, easy to park but reasonably practical too.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

its been said that rover 75 is cheap to insure for young drivers, diesel prefurably or a 2.0 petrol v6 avoid the MG badge for insurance purposes as they are classed to insurers as sports vehicles.

mondeo is another that is said to be cheap to insure for young drivers.

braun_2

Nissan Micra was the cheapest car to insure for a family member at that age.

Not a 'cool' car I know but better than nothing.

forgotmyname

Volvo 340 1.7 came out cheaper than a KA when i looked for a younger driver.

TradePro

KTurner wrote: »

I would like it to be slightly cool

Very few cars are truly 'cool' (even though idiots that pay £20k+ for Audi A1's have been brainwashed to think differently!), and moreso in the price range you are looking for.

My best advice would be to forget that altogether, and get the most reliable and well looked after car you can for your cash.

jobdone1

Nissan micra, It might not be cool but remember a car can cause allot of hurt and pain its not about being cool its about being a safe and good driver. A micra is a great reliable cheap to insure and run car i have had one and loved it never let me or my wife down.

shaynemawer

when i was looking for my girlfriends younger brother's first car my 57 plate 2.0 mondeo titanium x came out cheaper then a x reg 1.4 honda civic