First Car

Cardelia

Newer technology is more efficient: you get more power from less petrol than you do with old engines. You're right that modern cars are usually heavier (because they carry more safety equipment, which is something else to bear in mind when looking at old bangers) but older cars are, in general, less efficient than new cars.

Having said that, driving style does come into it a lot. My right foot was a lot heavier when I was 17 than it is now so I'm not surprised my fuel economy was rubbish when I got my first car.

Grass_Stained_Feet

I still stick to my guns when I say paying a mere £350 for a car was probably one of the best things I ever did

Blacksheep1979

Cardelia wrote: »

Newer technology is more efficient: you get more power from less petrol than you do with old engines. You're right that modern cars are usually heavier (because they carry more safety equipment, which is something else to bear in mind when looking at old bangers) but older cars are, in general, less efficient than new cars.

Sorry but that's just not true. Modern engines will push out more hp for a given engine size (in general) but fuel economy isn't much different. And yes this does come from experience of driving shed loads of different cars over more than 10 years (yes not that long but a good 30+ cars)

Cardelia

1.3 engine in MkI Fiesta would do 31.7 mpg combined (1980ish)
1.3i engine in MkV Fiesta would do 40.9 mpg combined (2000: I had one of these)
1.25i engine in MkVI Fiesta will do 47.1 mpg combined (2008)

1.6D in MkII Fiesta would do 55.1 mpg combined (1985ish)
1.6TDCi in MkVI Fiesta will do 64.2 mpg combined (2008)

It's as close to a fair comparison as I can get it without spending days on research. Of course this is just for Fiestas, but I'd be surprised if the same data for a 3-series or a 911 showed a different trend.

johncmcloy

Definetly go for something older, but doesnt have to be "a banger" £2000 is reasonable but doesnt seem to get you much. Expect your insurance to be £1400 assuming your a lad. Dont be tempted to go on your dads if he wont be using it. I know people have got into trouble, been scared to death, at their wits end over it. Get your own no claims.

Why is it that when cars are on the new plates i.e. 51+ their price leaps . An old plate e.g. X are considerably cheaper. Look at the insurance group for the car, I've got a saxo and its group 4 which means I pay 900 and I've been driving for nearly 3 years. Nissan Micras are group 1 ins. look awful yes but are also very reliable. Dont go for anything french especially citroen, the design of the brakes is incredibly flawed and they wear away rapidly. Especially when your first start driving. If you want to spend your money on other things dont drive around like an idiot, take it easy and think about what you're doing. You'll save £££s on fuel and your insurance (when you dont claim).

windswept

I wouldn't recommend a corsa - I bought one for me and my daughter (£1500 x reg) to share when she passed her test last year.
I hate it, the handling is horrible, the mass air flow meter has gone twice, the steering is far too light for my liking and 4 weeks ago my daughter skidded on a patch of ice and went head on into a lampost, she was lucky that she had just come off a roundabaout and was only doing 20mph.
We had fully comp insurance but her excess is £500 so we just had it fixed (cost £550 for new front cross member, radiator, bumper and bonnet) and will be selling it shortly and getting either a fiesta or punto, probably a fiesta as parts are so cheap. I wouldn't ever touch another vauxhall again - 20 years ago we wrote off a cavalier sri and lost £4000 as it was tpft only:rolleyes: .