THE ULTIMATE FIRST CAR THREAD!!!!!
Okay so every time I come on to hxf and visit this section there's always a plethora of threads asking "Which car should I get for my first car" and to be honest every single one of them gets the exact same answers.
So to save everyone pulling their hair out at replying to each of these threads with the same list of cars, I thought I'd create this guide to good first cars.
So, em, here it is. Don't hesitate to reply suggesting ones I may have missed (and if anyone comes on saying "oh i jst bght a brand new bmw n ma dad pays 4 it" you can just go away).
Ford Fiesta Mk4 (1996 - 2002)
Fiat Punto (1999 - 2005)
Peugeot 206 (1998 - 2006)
*RECOMMENDED!!*
Renault Clio mk2 (1997 - 2007)
Best: 1.2 16v Dynamique
Peugeot 106 (1991 - 2003)
Vauxhall Corsa (C) (2000 - 2006)
Ford Ka (1996 - 2008)
SEAT Ibiza (2002 - 2008)
Citroen Saxo (1997 - 2003)
Further advice:
- It will work out cheaper on your insurance if you are added to your parents' policy and have them as named drivers of your car. A good one is Admiral Multicar, add your parents' car(s) along with yours to the policy and watch those premiums fly down.
- Your insurance premiums are calculated on a number of factors such as your age, the area you live in, your gender, the place your park your car overnight and much more. As well as the make, model, age, engine size, replacement cost, level of desirability etc of your car.
- When looking at first cars, look for ones with small engine sizes. If you are 17 and just passed your test, it's never a good idea to buy a 2 litre diesel Mondeo for your first car. Ideal engine sizes are below 1.4.
- The insurance group of your car will also affect your premiums. The lower the insurance group, the lower the insurance. Anything below insurance group 4 should be reasonable.
- Of course it's totally upto yourselves, but it's often advisable never to buy cars that:
*have very high mileage (i.e. over 90k)
*have no service history
*have been written off and repaired, or stolen and recovered
*have been modified
- When on the test drive, look out for various telltale signs that the car may be a bit rubbish. Things like it veering to one side by itself, rattles, knocks, taps, take all these into consideration before buying. Also have a good look at the panel gaps; odd or ill-fitting ones suggest a crash (although if your car has all the receipts and a FSH, this should be apparent anyway).
- It's worth texting the particular registration plate of a car your going to view to 88600 to find out it's history; e.g. if it's had plate changes, been stolen, scrapped etc.
AND REMEMBER, YOU'LL PROBABLY MAKE A LOT OF DAFT MISTAKES IN YOUR FIRST CAR BEING AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER! SO IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE THE BEST CAR IN THE WORLD - AS LONG AS IT'S A CHEAP, AFFORDABLE RUNAROUND :)
x
Thread stuck by Oli (Forum Manager): An excellent guide, +rep!
