Where to get a first car from?

SuzieTheCat

Hubby passed his driving test the other week and we are in a bit of a pickle. We arn't flush enough to buy a new car outright. We are aware of dodgy car sales people with dodgy motors. We are thinking at the moment of a contract hire vehicle. However, I'm concerned that this might mean my husband won't get his no claims on his licence. I'm also feeling a bit unsure about paying out all that money on the contract vehicle, only to have no vehicle once the contract ends. Hubby thinks contract hire is probably the best way though, since those hiring it to us will be responsible for it should anything go wrong.

Help please ?

comberspud

All depends on your budget if paying with cash.
There are some great cars out there which have more than halved in priced from their first sale.

I think a great car for the money at the minute are the b6 and b7 Audi's. (B6 2004 A4 sport 1.9tdi engine) or the B7 Audi A4 2005-2008 model. 2.0tdi engine. Good solid car, good reliable engines, good mpg, spacious especially the Avants. Mileage is not important on these. There are some with 150k on them going for £4k and some with 80k going for £6k-£8k

It really depends on your budget, needs and insurance. Whether you want to start on a small engine with insurance

SuzieTheCat

Thanks for your advice!

Our budget is around £2K and the insurance is quite dear as husband is 25 and first time driver.

comberspud

Does it need to be 3 door, 5 door , estate??? Petrol or diesel??

forgotmyname

Budget for £2k after insurance or with insurance?

Get some insurance quotes.

Any contract or lease on a new car will be costly. He just passed so quite likely to have little incidents, Scapes and bumps. Every single mark will be charged for at premium rates when the cars returned.

Buy something cheap and with the money you have in your pocket. If he does something more than a little incident, Go and buy another cheapy.

comberspud

You should be able to pick up a low mileage VW Polo for around £2000-£2500
2006-2007 1.2
Very cheap insurance, easy to run. Parts are not expensive. Very tight little car. Good door clunk like all German cars.

I would search Autotrader for VW polo
VW Polo
Up to 90k miles
Up to £3000 (obviously offer lower than stated price if cash buying.)
Look for marks, scraps, check tyre thread, check last service, if around 80k then ask if discs and pads have been replaced recently, if not then ask to get done or knock a bit of as they usually need replaced around 80k aswell as the timing chains.

Chains and discs are main expense/repair around 80k.

Always look for bits to make your lower offer valid. Bring a friend who knows cars a bit. If buying from a dealer then they should offer some sort of warranty, tell them your story, 1st car and all that. If buying from a dealer you cant bargain as much but can still bargain some.

Look for a full years MOT or close to it also.

Great little car!!

If you get a lowish miles one then drive it a year or two and you should be able to sell for a similar price you paid.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Because he has just passed i doubt very much that anyone would do a lease deal they like you to have at lease 12 months of holding a full license before they will lease or hire you a car.


2k, I would go for skoda fabia,octavia, or the VW polo or jetta or passat, seat Ibiza or Toledo , Toyota corolla 1.6 or yaris 1.3, mazda 3 or 6 look out for rust looked after one will run and run avoid diesel though!. to give you a variety.


where to buy?


ask around friends and family for recommendations, look for online reviews about the places your thinking looking around, look at how long they have been established for.

SuzieTheCat

Thank you everyone. We arn't too fussed about it being 3 or 5 doors. We ruled out the contract hire last night. As you say Atrixblue they won't loan to husband as he has only just passed! We have about 1K to spend on the actual car, the other 1K being a deposit on insurance. So we are going to just have to dive in and get ourselves a second hand car.

Norman_Castle

I'm concerned that this might mean my husband won't get his no claims on his licence.

A no claims bonus is from an insurer. Nothing to do with the driving license.
Insurance is likely to be relatively high so get quotes before buying a car. The price will vary depending on the vehicle.

forgotmyname

When he has a policy in his own name and makes no claims during the year he will get a years no claims.

Sometimes names drivers can get a introductory discount. But insurers dont seem to like giving them when the driver is newly qualified.

rev_henry

SuzieTheCat wrote: »

Thank you everyone. We arn't too fussed about it being 3 or 5 doors. We ruled out the contract hire last night. As you say Atrixblue they won't loan to husband as he has only just passed! We have about 1K to spend on the actual car, the other 1K being a deposit on insurance. So we are going to just have to dive in and get ourselves a second hand car.

ONE THOUSAND POUNDS just for a deposit on insurance? How much are you expecting it to be?! I would be surprised if £1000 didn't cover all or almost all of the premium. Unless you live in Bradford of course. Or am I out of touch?

I think your idea of having £1k for car £1k for insurance is eminently sensible though.