buying a first car- help please

joeblags

buy a common car which makes parts very cheap, 2004/2005 clio , fiesta , golf. find one that's had its cambelt done then pretty much basic service parts are very cheap.

FreddieFrugal

bouicca21 wrote: »

Fwiw, a mechanic friend said VW and Skoda were the most reliable cars, and "avoid French electrics".

VW most reliable?

It's all marketing, look at actual consumer data on reliability and VW are average to poor.

The 'most' reliable on average cars are Japanese - Honda, Toyota

There is however a well earned bad reputation that French cars have with electrics.

FreddieFrugal

You could always splash out a bit and not buy a £1000 banger. Spend 4K - 8k on a newer car and you're likely to have less problems but save on buying completely new.

Even on finance would be cheaper for you.

Remember though PRICE and AGE are not indicators of good condition on their own. Check for Full Service history, get a friend or family member who knows something about cars to come with you to check it. Two pairs of eyes are better than one.

Many older cars are actually much 'better' and more reliable than their newer but more complicated model versions.

duesouthtwin2

Thanks so much everyone. So helpful! Much appreciated as I am on my own with this but thanks to you all I don't feel like it.

bouncydog1

Take umbrance at the "dont buy a vauxhall comment"! We bought DD a vauxhall corsa as her first car 5 years ago with 17k miles on the clock. One previous owner. We've had it regularly serviced, she uses it a couple of times per week and so far we've had very little to pay out for apart from the annual service and replacement tyres. We paid £4k for it though although you can get cheaper - we did use a dealer as we know nothing about cars.

Should be able to sell it on to another young driver just starting out as it has been regularly maintained which I think is the key to all vehicles - you can't expect them to be fault free for ever if they do not have the servicing done.

Djene

My first car was a 2002 Honda Civic 1.4 from auction, which I bought for £1300. Full service History and only 43000 miles on the clock. The car was previously used on a farm and was a bit scratched all over, but was the best car I ever had. No issues at all, in two years all it needed was new tyres, servicing and mot. No issues at all.

I now have a financed car and would definitely not recommend it. It's safe and reliable but for what is it (Corsa) it's not worth the money. I would no never buy an brand new car again as a year and a half down the line it's worth half what I paid. Let someone else take the hit on depreciation. Next car I get will be £3000 max and second hand.

arcon5

On finance... How new are you talking?
Unless near New what makes you think it will be any less problematic than a cheapo car?
Ford focus' are peanuts to pick up, cheap to maintain and generally reliable.
Things like c1 and the ups are so compact you'll find maintenance costs to be exceptionally high because everything is so hard to get to.

arcon5

Oh and if you are also looking to keep maintenance costs down buy a non-turbocharged petrol engine.

duesouthtwin2

I am so lucky! My brother in law just gave me his old car- a 2006 silver KA. The insurance on this is quoted at around £700 which is much better than the £2k I thought it would be. He has just put it through its mot and taxed it, put new tyres on it. Eeeeek! So happy

forgotmyname

2006 KA, just remember one thing, if you come back to it on a rainy night and its not where you parked it, do not assume it was stolen.

Check the drains nearby for signs of it

It may have rusted away and washed down the drain