First CarAdvice

ironpetal

About to look for my first car. Automatic. Runabout to work etc. No clue where to buy second hand cash or dealership etc?

Not being lazy here aged 62 and don't know where to start! :j

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Stigy

ironpetal wrote: »

About to look for my first car. Automatic. Runabout to work etc. No clue where to buy second hand cash or dealership etc?

Not being lazy here aged 62 and don't know where to start! :j

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

What budget do you have? Not quite sure how insurance companies would class you in terms of risk, but being a new driver at your age could see you as a higher risk, but not in the same way as a 17-year old of course!

AdrianC

Rough budget?

worried_jim

Honda civic auto. Job done.

tykesi

worried_jim wrote: »

Honda civic auto. Job done.

Or a Jazz?

neil.woos

a 130i. Job done.

ironpetal

Around £1500 or less. No point in buying new. True story its the insurance that'll be the killer I'm sure might look at Age UK insurance..

AdrianC

ironpetal wrote: »

Around £1500 or less.

Then buy entirely on condition. Don't get hung up on age, mileage or looking for a small automatic - they're few and far between and typically MUCH more expensive than larger autobox equivalents. If you don't have a friend who's good with cars, find a small local back-street garage who friends trust implicitly. You are going to get to know them well.

Also - don't get hung up on fuel economy and tax cost - I'm guessing you'll be doing low mileage, so a couple of mpg is more-or-less irrelevant, and small savings here and there can quickly be swallowed in large repair costs. Don't be tempted by a diesel - lots of ways for low-mileage diesels to empty wallets.

Is your shiny new licence autobox only? If not, consider rethinking that requirement, if you'd really prefer a smaller car.