Buying First Car - Fiesta?

PriceDash

Hi All

We're looking to buy our first car next in a months time. We're looking for a 1 to 3 year old second hand car and have a budget of £7k but don't necessarily want to spend it all. The car would be used around town with just the odd 2 or 3 trips across country each year.

We quite like the look of the Ford Fiesta Zetec or Gia. Does anybody have any experience of these, good or bad? We've seen them on the forecourt of our local Ford for up to £8k and I've heard we should offer 20% less than this to start things off.

I'm a complete novice with cars and so haven't got a clue what I should look for when checking them out... I'd probably be taken for a mug if I looked on eBay or AutoTrader. e.g. What's the maximum mileage I should look for?

Should we stump up the 100 odd quid to have it checked out by the RAC etc?

As it's our first car, should we look for something cheaper for say £4k or £5k? Which makes/modesl are reliable?

As you can imagine, any help would be greatly appreciated!

cc25

I recommend spending some time browsing the Honestjohn.co.uk website. Lots of useful advice about buying cars, and good and bad points of various makes and models, including reliability and safety.

Also look at the online version of Parker's Guide for more info.

If you do your research first (as you are doing by starting on Moneysavingexpert!), you are less likely to be taken in by a good salesman/woman, and perhaps pay too much for too little, or not get the car most suitable for your needs.

You should be able to get a one year old basic 3dr Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra, with less than 10,000 miles for around £5500 (see the car supermarket site Motorpoint). Honest John rates the Toyota Yaris as "Highly recommended".

Many cars now have a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer. You certainly wouldn't need to spend all of your budget to get a good car.

vansboy

If you're not desperate to buy, keep your eyes open for the Ford ads, which offer free insurance on NEW cars.

Fiesta is a favourite model for this deal & if you're on your first car, the insurance might very well be worth £1000+.

So no point in saving a few £$£$ buying used, when you add up all the figures!!

VB

fatboyonadiet

Buying used is better, buying new loses you a lot of money, Ford's don't depreciate too kindly, a friend lost a lot on one after a year, would recommend either a VW Polo, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra but getting one that's an ex-demo as they're usually only a few months old but have savings of those that are about 12 months old. As suggested try Honest John.

PriceDash

Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look at those web sites later this evening. I am however looking for a 5 door, and the insurance will work out to be around £400 I think. Althought it's my first car, I passed my test almost 15 years ago.

Thanks Again

Skint_Catt

Go and buy Parkers Car Guide - it has hints and tips in the front about inspecting, paying etc and then a full list price guide including mileage and a chart so that if it is higher mileage how much you should knock off etc.

It was invaluable when I was looking at different engines and models of Focus. (Also gives you the all important insurance group!)

S_C

vansboy

What Fatboy says, is quite true, BUT... as the Fiesta is a well discounted model new, not an expensive car anyway, quite often the few £$£$£ & smaller % saving, makes the late model & used option, less attractive.

Always worth seeing what deal, the dealer can do for you, on NEW!

VB

Dee123_2

PriceDash, did you ever get that Fiesta?

I am thinking about purchasing a two year old Fiesta 1.4 Zetec and wondered if you had an Owners Review for me?

I'm confident of the price and spec, having read WhatCar, Parkers etc, just wondered if anyone was aware of any issues with them.