Free Car or Save up to buy one

SensibleSarah

I didn't pass my test until I was into my 30s and first few years insurance were painful. £1,400 the first year (for a 1.2 Hyundai) and even this last renewal I had most quotes well over £1k, despite having a few years no claims. Managed to get it for just under £500 in the end - added my mum as a named driver (she lives 100 miles away but has driven it once or twice when I visit) which helped.
My issue is my postcode though more than anything I suspect...

Herzlos

Your insurance is going to suck anyway, so may as well get your first years NCB in a free car.

However, you'll want to have a long chat to the owner about the condition of the car, who's responsible for what, and what you'll do if the condition changes (are they expecting you to take care of servicing / repairs and fix any dings you introduce? How much will they want if it gets written off?)

gycraig_2

forgotmyname wrote: »

Why would you need telemetrics? Bought my little one a car recently and her insurance is under £1000 and no black box fitted. She wont be 25 for a few years yet.

Location location location. Price differences can be thousands a year across cities and towns

victor2

Sounds like a minefield Op. If you can manage without a car while saving up to buy your own then do so. Running any vehicle is costly, and has others have said, what about major repairs to the "given" car, or it gets written off?
On a positive note, my DD passed her driving test when about 18. She is 30+ now, has never owned a car and very rarely drives, if ever. I added her onto our car insurance, answered the questions honestly - how long as she held a full licence, any accidents or claims in the last 5 years etc. - and the extra cost was zero.
When she visits us, she will sometimes drive the car with me accompanying her, just to keep her finger in as it were. So, just holding a full licence contributes to lessening the insurance risk (and premium) for each year you can wait.

edinburgher

PasturesNew wrote: »

If you don't need a car and you've managed without one so far, then any car costing £1750 just to insure is a huge "no no".

If you fancy "better flexible transport" look at electric bikes or mopeds.

Save your money for YOUR car, that you choose, without feeling somebody else has an "opinion" on what you should do with the car/with your money.

Agree completely, OP has said it's a want, but not a "frivolous want". I'd disagree, sounds like a pretty poor use of a few £££ a month to me! Having a car isn't mandatory, I didn't pass my test until I was 30 and while there were a few things that were a PITA to sort out (moving house springs to mind), I never felt disadvantaged. I'd still not drive if not for the fact that I have a toddler to cart around!