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

GreatBigBookcase

Haha, that's a very good point wobblydog...if it fits on the bottom of my son's pushchair, then it'll fit in even the smallest car boot I should think!

Yeah, I do think I need to talk to someone directly about insurance because of the odd circumstances. I put about 3 or 4 cars into the compare the meerkats site and they ranged from £490 to £600ish, which was less than I was expecting. But then, if you're only paying £250 insurance, then maybe those quotes don't sound too low after all. Thanks for that breakdown of costs, food for thought.

At the moment I spend £15 a week on a travel card for me. I'm just about to start fostering a school aged child (hence why I really think now is the time to buy a car) so I'll have to add their travel costs on to that, and then the occasional weekend/holiday train journeys we do...all that can be offset against the new costs of owning a car, I suppose. Just seems like such an expense when you've never paid it before.

barnaclebill

Notice that you said push chair space so you will need child seats fitted for at least one child, as for insurance do try Aviva or direct line who are not on comparison sites before you buy, for example my cheapest on comparison site was £621 as against Aviva at £490.
As has been said by others I would go petrol engine and most Japanese makes have been reliable in the past.
I would also have a good look at the tyres, I would like to see all the same make (well known makes I mean) or at least two on each axle the same with plenty of tread remaining, Could be up to £400 to replace all 4 depending on the size.
I know it's a lot to consider but good luck, there are some good old cars out there that have been well looked after.
Almost forgot, if it's more than 3 years old you need to see a long MOT, 10 to 12 months with no advisories

getmore4less

What sort of budget are you looking at?


I still use autotrader.co.uk to get an idea of what you can get for your money.

use national search to get an idea how well priced the local stuff is.

as others have said the Jazz and Note are popular for this use case.

Strider590

Loanranger wrote: »

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...

I previously worked for a tier one supplier, i've seen the best and worst of the automotive industry....

Manufacturers NEED the fleet market, these cars need to be well built and reliable.

Smaller cars are designed to be throw away items, they're designed to keep business coming back into the dealerships, without this business most dealerships would not survive, as they make hardly anything from actually selling cars.

The fact is you'll always see more larger older vehicles than you'll see small ones. I don't need to find documented evidence and 60 expert witnesses, just go out and look for yourself.

And then lets talk about vehicle spec.......... Fleet market is highly competitive and larger fleet orientated vehicles will be very well equipped even on the basic model, they'll include items that would always cost extra on a smaller vehicle.

pandora205

I bought a three year old Fiesta .3 Zetec nine years ago and it's still going strong, and hopefully will last me another three and a half (My planned time until retirement). It's a five door hatch back with a split rear seat that folds down, so it's useful for carrying stuff. I had it when my three children were at home (then in their teens), and we've driven all over. The boot size is reasonable though not vast. It will take 2-3 suit cases, depending on size. We've taken all sorts including a tent!

The advantage with Fiestas is that they are very common and garages know how to fix them and parts are relatively cheap even when they are a few years old. Mine has had brake pads, a new clutch and some other bits done over the years but nothing very major. You will also find that many driving schools use Fiestas too.

I like the look of the newer ones so may even get a new one when I treat myself.

s_b

Strider590 wrote: »

I previously worked for a tier one supplier, i've seen the best and worst of the automotive industry....

Manufacturers NEED the fleet market, these cars need to be well built and reliable.

Smaller cars are designed to be throw away items, they're designed to keep business coming back into the dealerships, without this business most dealerships would not survive, as they make hardly anything from actually selling cars.

The fact is you'll always see more larger older vehicles than you'll see small ones. I don't need to find documented evidence and 60 expert witnesses, just go out and look for yourself.

And then lets talk about vehicle spec.......... Fleet market is highly competitive and larger fleet orientated vehicles will be very well equipped even on the basic model, they'll include items that would always cost extra on a smaller vehicle.

sorry but most of this is drivel
small cars change hands more often and dont get maintained because of it

Richard53

The insurance comparison sites are geared to a mainstream customer with no special circumstances. The questions they ask are often inappropriate for anyone with a vehicle or driving history that falls outside the norm. In your position, I would talk to a proper old-fashioned insurance broker, who will know the market and be able to guide you to a company that will be the best deal for you as an individual. You will pay a brokerage fee to do this (usually bundled in with the premium) but he may get you a better deal and so it would not cost more overall. When I had my business, I did all my insurance through one broker (business use of the van, public liability, goods in transit etc) and it was pretty much stress-free and reasonably good value.


As for a vehicle, my wife has had several Ford Focuses and we never had a moment's problem with any of them. They are reasonable roomy and nice to drive. Cheap parts and easy to fix (or so I am told - hers never needed more than routine servicing).

bluesnake

Go not forget to look at car insurance group numbers.

Another +1 for Japanese cars, but they are often more expensive to purchase, and so are the parts. A Ford Mondeo may not be a bad bet as they are relatively cheap, fairly reliable and have a big boot and insurance is often not too bad, but there are many other choices.

Since the days are becoming warmer pay a visit to https://www.cargiant.co.uk/ and have a walk around and see what type would fit you best. Yes, they tend to be newer and expensive models, but they are not many generations removed from their cheaper sibling. It is a day out, but I would not buy there. Most large cities will have something like this and the cars are cramped together and often not push-chair or child friendly.

Be weary of PR, especially where publicity outmatches reliability, and German is not always reliable, just look at the number of vw issues in the forum, and on the web where Austrialian drivers have been done over. Have look here in an attempt to edge the rules of chance that you are not buying a lemon, but may also be newer model than yours listed http://www.reliabilityindex.com/ . Ok, the fastest horse does not always win the race, but that is the way to bet.

Also Servicing and belts. Apparently the Ford galaxy cost around £800 to replace the belt, and has to be done every few years, as all non chain ones need replacing. Look for models with chain cam belt engine. Expect to cost around £500 for a full dealer service, but again this does depend on the make and model and does not include tyres. I would generally not use a dealer. An ex-colleague had a service on his company car, and the garage forgot to put oil back into his engine

benson1980

Another vote for civic, particularly 2001-2005s, well looked after private sale would be a good bet. Cheap as chips to run. They're really spacious inside considering its a relatively small hatchback.

Rain_Shadow

Alidolly wrote: »

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.


Good luck!

Really? :rotfl:


A car's registered keepers (not owners) doesn't include any dealers whose hands they have passed through (unless they were first registered by the supplying main dealer).


Although a car with few keepers may be more desirable as long as the total number averages out at each keeper having the car for 2-3 years that wouldn't be unusual.