Can I justify buying a car?

difs

I've finally passed my test at 26 years old and would like to buy a car, but I'm trying to work out if it would be a stupid purchase. Here's my situation:

Working from home and live 5 minutes walk from a supermarket and 25 from the city centre, so in terms of regular, scheduled usage it would literally be driving to play football twice a week, and even then I can get a lift as I currently do.
However, I'd like to think that I'd use the car for weekend trips exploring the country a bit more than is possible with trains, and I'd visit my parents more which is currently a 3 hour train for £120 for me and my partner, so that cost would drop to about £30. And just having freedom to hop in the car and go somewhere rather than wait on trains as I've been doing for years.

9 months from now I will be starting a new job 40 mins away where I'll need to get there and also drive on the job (not in my own car, but I'll need to be a good driver so 9 months without doing so doesn't seem ideal). This will also take my salary from 18.5k to 22k, rising each year until 40k after 7 years.

Currently I have 10k to my name , 4k of it in a LISA, so buying even a cheap 2k car + insurance would take a good chunk of those savings and pretty much take the rest of my disposable income each month. 

What do you think, would you get one now or wait 9 months? I enjoy driving so I'm trying to justify it but looking at all the costs adding up it seems stupid for someone working from home on minimum wage.

venomx

Going by the fact your new job will be 40 mins away that's a good reason for a car, also I have just gone from cycling to driving and it's so much more convenient being able to go where you want, when you want.
For me, If I got the bus or a taxi to all the places I now visit it would cost a serious amount compared to driving a small economic car.

Have a good look around at potential cars, and get some insurance quotes then see if it meets your finances

sheslookinhot

These are personal questions. You really need to make up your own mind. Buying a banger is fraught with potential issues. Can you lease a car for 2 years, this would get you a new car which is unlikely to challenge your pocket.  Benefit is that it also keeps your savings.

Nebulous2

Buying, insuring and running a car for occasional use will cost a fair bit of money. 

Do you have a local car-share scheme where you could rent one for the occasional longer trip? Or use car hire if their insurance allows it. That would give you a feel for the convenience of using a car on these journeys, rather than the train and would keep you in practice driving, without going all-in on ownership. 

Indout96

Get something small & cheap to run (Citroen C1) and at that price you will both get experience driving on your own and if you do want to change up in a years time you will lose very little on a trade in or private sale as they are always in demand.

theone999

difs said:

I've finally passed my test at 26 years old and would like to buy a car, but I'm trying to work out if it would be a stupid purchase. Here's my situation:

Working from home and live 5 minutes walk from a supermarket and 25 from the city centre, so in terms of regular, scheduled usage it would literally be driving to play football twice a week, and even then I can get a lift as I currently do.
However, I'd like to think that I'd use the car for weekend trips exploring the country a bit more than is possible with trains, and I'd visit my parents more which is currently a 3 hour train for £120 for me and my partner, so that cost would drop to about £30. And just having freedom to hop in the car and go somewhere rather than wait on trains as I've been doing for years.

9 months from now I will be starting a new job 40 mins away where I'll need to get there and also drive on the job (not in my own car, but I'll need to be a good driver so 9 months without doing so doesn't seem ideal). This will also take my salary from 18.5k to 22k, rising each year until 40k after 7 years.

Currently I have 10k to my name , 4k of it in a LISA, so buying even a cheap 2k car + insurance would take a good chunk of those savings and pretty much take the rest of my disposable income each month. 

What do you think, would you get one now or wait 9 months? I enjoy driving so I'm trying to justify it but looking at all the costs adding up it seems stupid for someone working from home on minimum wage.

The short answer is, if you buy a car right after you pass your test, it will justify itself. Because you'll drive the most ridiculous distances and trips just to drive it. Being more useful later is just a bonus. 

PS you can buy a car for less than £500. Don't need 2k

venomx

theone999 said:

PS you can buy a car for less than £500. Don't need 2k

It appears that way until you realise how many problems a cheap car will have and cost you.
Most importantly do some research into reliable cars, and find one in your price range with the minimal mileage 

Also get the reg plate. The enter it into the DVSA website where you can see the MOT history

tobygarrod939

I wouldn't recommend getting a cheap car unless you know your way around a toolbox or have a friend who can and will be willing to.

Cheap and older cars are great ..... If you can fix a lot of the inevitable issues yourself.