First Car - Advice Please

Nolberto · 13-03-2006 9:49pm #1

Hi all

Am considering buying my first car and need your advice.

The thing is I know little or nothing about cars other than how to drive one. I've never been into the whole car thing - I'm only buying out of necessity...

Not really bothered about looks/specs/age, once it's reliable. I'm more interested in getting on the road at minimal cost (4000 incl. insurance if possible but neg.). Will be doing the odd Dublin/Cork trip so will need something that can handle motorway speeds without falling apart.

My details are as follows:
25 years old
Full licence for 4 years
Named driver for 3+ years
No NCB

Been looking on carzone/autotrader and am thinking of colt/polo territory but don't really have a clue to be honest...

What say ye?
Any advice appreciated.

ds20prefecture · 13-03-2006 11:39pm

For a car with a reputation for reliability you should first think Japanese, then German. Then, having reviewed to sometimes ridiculous resale prices of these cars, think Czech and Spanish. Seats tend to have the worst resale value of the VW group of cars, yet the build quality is as good if not better than their German cousins. The cars tend to be better equipped and (IMO) better styled too. Ditto Skoda, but the resale value is stronger on these.

A Seat Ibiza is size comparable with a Polo or Colt. The 1L should meet your needs perfectly.
The Seat Leon is size comparable with a Corolla/Golf, but will be more expensive to run.

bazz26 · 14-03-2006 12:09am

junkyard · 14-03-2006 12:21am

Nissan Micra, Toyota Starlet, you can't go far wrong with something Japanese.

le-dub · 14-03-2006 5:58pm

I would recommend the VW POLO, very solid and reliable. The first car i bought and had it for 3 years, never had any probelms with it either. I got serviced a couple of times, which id say helped. I would'nt buy a colt, there usless, you can beat VW.

SouperComputer · 14-03-2006 7:28pm

Polo's are overvalued and not as reliable/well built as they are percived/marketed to be. Dont bother with one unless it is in great condition and going for a great price. Way overpriced.

As already stated, ibiza or skoda are great cars for little money. Have an ibiza and a Passat myself. I looked at about 8 polos and the ibiza was a year younger, nearly two grand cheaper and in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. Slightly OT, the Passat is a good car, but as usual you pay a premium for the VW badge. Hope to sell it and get an MX5.

Colts and starlets are decent too, but they can be pricey too becuase of this. Micra's tend to be reliable also.

Have a look at honestjohn.co.uk for some pointers on cars

Henry Ford III · 14-03-2006 8:26pm

le-dub wrote:

...I got serviced a couple of times.....

Whatever floats your boat!

Con9903 · 14-03-2006 8:49pm

The polos seem to have very little in them in terms of comfort. I've seen them up as far as 98 without power steering.
A starlet is a great first car. I bought a starlet jap import as my first car; electric windows, air con, power steering and a bullet proof engine.

patsyh · 14-03-2006 8:53pm

go for a corolla 1.3 ideal first car

First Car - Advice Please

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