First car...hardly know where to start...

GreatBigBookcase

Thanks for all that useful information everyone.

I don't want to go the new car route because I can't afford to cash-wise, and I don't want to get into debt for a car. I also want to limit any increase in my monthly outgoings and insurance/road tax/servicing will all increase that so I'd rather buy for cash.

Pincher, I'm a single woman, so no husband to distract me at least. But yeah, I'm worried about the distraction two kids could cause...I can't say I'm massively excited by the thought of driving, and a trial few lessons might put me off... Hadn't heard of car clubs before though, might look into that.

I was looking online at local car dealers and tried a few out on compare insurance websites. There was a 10 year old Kia Picanto that would've cost under £500 to insure, and only £110(ish? Can't remember exactly) for 12 months road tax. That seems affordable each month. Although your £1400 has scared me a bit Sarah...I guess our situations are different in theory but not really in practice? I'd want to talk to an insurer over the phone I think, just to make sure.

Bluesnake, thanks for the honest john link. I'll have a good look. I didn't realise that so many cars only really had 4 seats! But yes, ideally I want 5, but then if I have two car seats in the back I'm not sure that someone could then fit in the middle seat anyway, could they?! I like the look of Volkswagen Tourans, but I think a bit pricey and maybe a bit OTT size-wise for what I really need... We're ending the pushchair phase now at least...I'm sure my boy's push chair wouldn't fit in a lot of small car boots!

Strider, thanks for those points re smaller cars. What cars would be considered one step up from smaller cars?

Agh, so much to think about.

GwylimT

Honda jazz? They're very roomy inside with a good size boot, but still a small to medium car. The boxy rear makes it very easy to park and there are few blind spots.

The nissan note is also a similar shape with decent storage and good visibility.

GreatBigBookcase

Getmore4less, I'm in a city with *lots* of car dealerships about, so I'm going to have a bit of a browse this week when my son's in nursery one morning. I'll keep an eye out for a Fabia.

Re car dealerships, are they generally fairly reliable? I'm not going to get ripped off by a big one, am I? And do I really need to haggle? Hate it!

GreatBigBookcase

Thanks Gwylim, will look out for Honda Jazz too. I've started having a good look at all cars as we're walking down the street...

If I'm gong on looks, I like small boxy cars, then I don't really like estates, but then I like the mini-MPV types. But I think this is going to come down to money really...I don't care enough about cars to care too much about whether I like the look of the one I'm driving!

Alidolly

Definitely get a few lessons before you purchase a new car. I was in a similar boat as yourself as got lessons for my 18th birthday, sat test and despite asking my dad repeatedly to take me out to practice eventually gave up after he'd used every excuse under the sun to say no. As I was a student, couldn't afford my own car for several years but when I did eventually go for one, my confidence was shot. Thankfully my boyfriend at the time took me out in his car and let me practice before I bought my first wee run around. It was scary though to start with so dual controls might let you relax a bit quicker.

Toyota Corolla's are good (I've had 2) as tend to be reliable but not too small (motorway driving can be very scary in a tiny car...my first was a Citroen AX!).

Always do a vehicle check before purchase - they cost between £10 and £20 but checks if the vehicle has been stolen / outstanding finance / number of previous keepers. Can also see MOT advisories (so if there is a long history of issues then avoid no matter how cheap the car looks or shiny...sellers will make a car "look" fantastic but can be a rust bucket with serious faults).

The first owner who buys direct from the garage will be the first registered owner. If they trade in the second will be the garage THEN the next buyer (so 3 owners at this point). A car that has perhaps 8 or 9 owners would set alarm bells ringing if it's a relatively new car as usually means something is wrong with it and the owner is is offloading to avoid a big repair bill.

I've now been driving for about 16 years and owned a variety of cars in that time. They do cost a lot of money to maintain but allow you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. If you look after them though (regular service, replace items when recommended e.g. Timing belt etc) then they can last.

Best thing is to have a look at some of the local dealers and see what takes your fancy then check places like Autotrader to get an idea of the cost of a second hand one (petrol / diesel, manual vs automatic).

Good luck!

EdGasket

Re. First car...hardly know where to start...

Generally the keylock is under the steering column; just put the key in and turn it clockwise as far as it will go to start.

Loanranger

Strider590 wrote: »

Smaller cars are a bad idea, they're expensive to buy used because everyone assumes they're cheap (small car premium), they're badly built because they're designed to keep customers coming back into dealerships for work (unlike vehicles aimed at the fleet market), they're expensive to insure because young drivers buy them and this makes them statistically more likely to be in accidents.

As usual, Strider, you are happy to write pure nonsense, none of which is backed up by fact or evidence.
No cars are ever designed to keep customers coming back into the workshop... are you still living in the 70s and buying British Leyland? Not that BL ever designed them that way...

GreatBigBookcase

EdGasket wrote: »

Re. First car...hardly know where to start...

Generally the keylock is under the steering column; just put the key in and turn it clockwise as far as it will go to start.

I imagine you say that as a joke...but honestly, that would've been my next question...

Thanks Alidolly. Some good advice. Feeling far more prepared than I was yesterday.

Loanranger

RayKay wrote: »

Thanks for all that useful information everyone.

I don't want to go the new car route because I can't afford to cash-wise, and I don't want to get into debt for a car. I also want to limit any increase in my monthly outgoings and insurance/road tax/servicing will all increase that so I'd rather buy for cash.

Pincher, I'm a single woman, so no husband to distract me at least. But yeah, I'm worried about the distraction two kids could cause...I can't say I'm massively excited by the thought of driving, and a trial few lessons might put me off... Hadn't heard of car clubs before though, might look into that.

I was looking online at local car dealers and tried a few out on compare insurance websites. There was a 10 year old Kia Picanto that would've cost under £500 to insure, and only £110(ish? Can't remember exactly) for 12 months road tax. That seems affordable each month. Although your £1400 has scared me a bit Sarah...I guess our situations are different in theory but not really in practice? I'd want to talk to an insurer over the phone I think, just to make sure.

Bluesnake, thanks for the honest john link. I'll have a good look. I didn't realise that so many cars only really had 4 seats! But yes, ideally I want 5, but then if I have two car seats in the back I'm not sure that someone could then fit in the middle seat anyway, could they?! I like the look of Volkswagen Tourans, but I think a bit pricey and maybe a bit OTT size-wise for what I really need... We're ending the pushchair phase now at least...I'm sure my boy's push chair wouldn't fit in a lot of small car boots!

Strider, thanks for those points re smaller cars. What cars would be considered one step up from smaller cars?

Agh, so much to think about.

Take no notice of Strider, he has some sort of axe of grind and likes to pontificate.

WobblyDog

I too waited more than a decade after passing my test before buying a car. It really confuses car dealers and insurance companies.

I reckon I spend about £200 per year on servicing/MOT for my fairly new Fiesta. Tyres are about £100 per year. £250 per year on insurance, but you will probably pay more due to your lack of no-claims history. Road tax around £100. I can't comment on purchase cost because I have always bought new.

If you've managed this long without a car, you are probably used to travelling light, and even a small car will seem very capacious. It will probably take a couple of years before you get used to carrying around so much stuff that you want a bigger car.