my first car

[tom999]

Hey gents,

I'm 20, currently doing driving lessons and will be passing my test soon (All about confidence )

Anyway I'm at uni but will be working next year for the whole year as a placement. so i'll be looking to get my first car around the end of june/start of july.

I have £2000 generously donated by the parents, as i am working I figured I could somehow pay that £2000 down and maybe pay around another £200 a month in a finace deal to get up to a £4,000 motor? Is this possible? I would only want to be paying over the 12months i'm working. Is that the best way to go?


As your the experts what cars/models would you recomend?
I have been told I'd want to be in the lower insurance bracket, maybe a 1.2 litre?

Where are the best places to buy?

Also what sort of insurance will I be looking at? thinking of doing it through my mum if it will be considerably cheaper I'm not too worried about building up a no claims cause i will be earning a better wage once I finish uni anyway?

cheers for any help, Tom

[mladen]

Dont go for a Saxo (not very reliable) or a Nova (because they look chavyish).

Fiesta's, Corsa's and Polo's are all pretty decent though (should be no more than £1000 insurance in your own name). If you dont mind paying a tad more for insurance a Decent 3rd Gen Golf, or early ford focus might be in your financial field too (about £1000 insurance under your mums name).

You would have to look about for insurance obviously but I would highly recommend CIS insurance if you are going under your mum or liverpoolvictoria.co.uk if you are planning to insure under your own name.

I was in about the same financial situation as you when buying a car and I got myself an N-Reg 1.6i Zetec Escort £2000 and insured it under my mum for £1000 with CIS. 2nd year round im paying £750 insurance.

[tom999]

cheers for that, I'd really fancy a golf. not heard great things about fords generally but i do like the look of the focus.

The most important thing is for it to run without any problems which is why I thought I'd be better doing a finance deal and pushing my spending limit up to around £4000..

I spose I will have to factor in insurance and tax too,

I've also not got much idea how much it actually costs to run a car. Odds are I'll be driving around 20 miles a day to get to and from work?

cheers again, T

[urbsy]

You wont get a newish vw for the money m8 , personally if your after a small hatchback I would go for a new shape Renault Clio.

urbsy

[Phreakster]

wouldn't touch renault with a barge pole

[God is a DJ]

nah my mate has the new shape clio nd its class. interior is nice enough nd its fairly nippy for a 1.2. The one thing i really do like about it is the massive sunroof, its mint. i wud recommend one for a first car.

DJ

[tom999]

Been looking at some prices, yeah the VW's are quit old at that price which is not what I want really. Corsa's seem to be the obvious choice at that price, if i'm resigned to not getting a VW then fieta's are also an option. don't know alot about the clio....

cheers, T

[maverick_15]

i know about 4 or 5 people with clios, (1.2 through to 1.6) and they all like them

[Phreakster]

I think renaults reliability speaks for itself. But end of the day if your getting a used car, I would go for a car company that is reliable and for some strange reason its the japanese companies with the best relaibility.

Also buy private, I wouldn't go to a dealer and get something on finance if your a student. Pull out your auto trader and start practice your haggling skills. Its amazing how much people will sell their car for at this time of year since they need the cash desperately.

[MrDurst]

Wouldn't touch a Ford, parts are cheap coz there is a constant demand for obvious reasons. Besides I think they are dangerous! French do seem to be getting it right now, would probably have one at a push.

[tom999]

Don't seem to be many clios comming up on the auto trader website that are under 3 years old around my price mark, still an option thou

as for mileage - what is a lot? what is acceptable? obviously less is better but I havent got a clue what is too much....

cheers again gents, T

[beansontoast]

Insurance used to be based around a 12000 mile average for a year (dunno if it still is) so that's a guide. Too much - well it depends on the type of car & manufacturer, for example a 2.3t saab coasting up & down the motorway for 25000 miles a year won't be as stressed out as a smaller engined car revving itself for 20000.

It is boring but 6 month oil-changes & gentle driving will help a car go for years. Hey - buy off a pensioner (?)