Young (23) provisional driver wants sporty 1.6-1.8 car

Wisesmurf

Hi Folks,

I've recently got a provisional license and won some money playing poker that I want to purchase a car with.

My budget is 10k for car and insurance, I'll deal with tax and running costs separately.

I really want a sporty coupe that’s nippy enough but can’t go over 1.8 because of my age/license, I love the Mitsubishi FTO and this would be my top choice but I don’t think I can get the car and insurance for 10k.

I’m basically looking for your feedback on viability for me getting this type of car considering my license and age, alternatives to the FTO, whether the FTO is viable and whether I'm just plain mad!

I know there’s a school of thought that says you should start small and work up but if I can get away with not doing it I want to.

I haven’t really thought this through and want to move fast. Feedback appreciated.

Regards,
Wisesmurf

legs11

with a prov licence you will never get insured on a fto of any kind for starters, as for other cars in the 1.8litre range id be surprised if you would get a quote with your licence......

even with a full licence at 23 premuims on a 1.8 litre sports car would be crazy.

Tipsy Mac

It will cost a fortune should you be able to get anyone to insure you. Your best bet would be to buy a 3k 1 litre car, drive it for a year and get your full license, the next year a 1.8 should be alot easier on the pocket. Right now I would say if you are lucky €2500 or so for a 1.8. It makes no sense to be starting to drive in a 1.6 or 1.8, what do you need the extra power for?

Eoghan25

i think most insurance companys will give you flat out no but if you look around im sure you could find a company that will... i heard a lad on the radio the other week he was 22 on provisional driving an audi tt 1.8 his insurance was 6,500 so thats what your looking at

tuxy

You might be able to insure a 1.6 hyundai coupe. (yuk imo)
But really if you want a nice sporty car you will have to wait a year.
With a full licence and 1 year no claims you will have no problem getting insurance on a fto. Just have patients .

Atomic Pineapple

get a small run around for a year and get a full licence and some no claims bonus.....at 23 with a full licence and 2 years bonus under my own name a 2.0 litre/200bhp car costs €1500 fully comp

Wisesmurf

I want it now!! lol

I dont peticularly want a huge engine but I want a nice sporty looking car. I dont know of a small engined car that looks good. I want the car to be naturally sporty looking, I think theres nothing worse than a cheap ass car with bodykit etc.

What about 1.3- 1.4 much difference with regard to insurance? and what sort of car?

:mad:
Wisesmurf

gary the great

I was in the same situation, wnated something ncie and fast and deadly but didnt want to pay crazy money.

I ended up coping on a bit and bought a 1.5 DOHC 323F (the 96-97 model) and it did me grand until i get my Altezza in the next few months after getting my full licence.

peasant

What about one of THESE ?

1.4 ..so insurance friendly(er), reasonably sporty looking, not a bad driver at all.

Wisesmurf

peasant wrote:

What about one of THESE ?

1.4 ..so insurance friendly(er), reasonably sporty looking, not a bad driver at all.

Thanks for the feedback. All appreciated. But christ I'm not a hairdresser.

peasant

Wisesmurf wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. All appreciated. But christ I'm not a hairdresser.

Ohhh ...and a Mitsu GTO is a "real man's" car?


Since when

Wisesmurf

peasant wrote:

Ohhh ...and a Mitsu GTO is a "real man's" car?


Since when

GTO is a 3L car. Quite beefy.
I want the FTO, grant it its not gonna grow me anymore hairs on my chest but doesnt the puma come with a free waxing and manicure??

tuxy

A 1.5 323F like gary had would be good for starting off, insurance should be ok on it.

peasant

Ahh shhugar ....bloody typo ...GTO /FTO

Anyway ...I was just suggesting, not trying to force it down your throat.

It's ok not to like the Puma, you're allright

Edit:
Citroen Xsara VTR coupe would be too boring, would it?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=550201

Wisesmurf

I dont wish to bite the hand that feeds me..thanks for feedback but lets just say no to a puma.

Two of my mates have a 323f already, its more along the lines of what I want but I was looking for something different.

Atomic Pineapple

you could go a corolla g6r? i think they look well and they've decent amount of power

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=607466

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413224

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584948

they are a 1.6 though so insurance would be expensive but, 6 speed gearbox and sporty looking

DonJose

Do a search of carzone.ie for "babe magnet", you'll find what you are looking for. LOL

Wisesmurf

draffodx wrote:

you could go a corolla g6r? i think they look well and they've decent amount of power

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=607466

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413224

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584948

they are a 1.6 though so insurance would be expensive but, 6 speed gearbox and sporty looking

I like this but I'll be scraping to get a decent car + insurance for 10k here. what you recon?

peasant

The corollas aren't cheap ...and the insurance might get a hickup at the "R" in the name.

THIS doesn't look too bad either, and it's a lot cheaper.

The seller is a boardsie, too

Atomic Pineapple

you could go for a 1.3 corolla, cheaper in terms of buying and insurance and they look well with a tte bodykit in my opinion, only problem is theres alot around with the tte kit.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=479933

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=614152

ambman

get an alfa. sporty looking and are very pokey. but keep a few qiud for all the things that go wrong with them. should pick a 00 for about 5 or 6k.
great car when everything works ok :eek:

RobAMerc

I was going to suggest the Puma as they are a cracking car, but you obviously need your car to prove your manhood :rolleyes: also the puma is a coupe so might be difficult to insure.

So another cracker is a Pug 106 gti

If you wanna look cool without making anyone think you might know anything about cars - a Tossota Glanza is an option.

Otherwise John Deer make some crackin machines - dont handle too well (not sure you care) but damn they are manly !

Wisesmurf

RobAMerc wrote:

I was going to suggest the Puma as they are a cracking car, but you obviously need your car to prove your manhood :rolleyes: also the puma is a coupe so might be difficult to insure.

So another cracker is a Pug 106 gti

If you wanna look cool without making anyone think you might know anything about cars - a Tossota Glanza is an option.

Otherwise John Deer make some crackin machines - dont handle too well (not sure you care) but damn they are manly !

Nothing to do with my manhood thanks, I just want to like the look of my own car. Im too young to have preformance so I might as well have looks, the prob is they seem to come hand in hand.

Galanza is not an option. I hate the things; I think they are the utter embodiment of scanger!

Im still looking. Carzone keeps timing out, Is it me?


Edit: 106 gti, talk about a wolf in sheeps clothing..

shanebrk

How about this. its a 1.6 vtec sir II civic it would be about 170 bhp. 1994 106,000km going for about €6750 or a bit cheaper with bbs alloys and you'll get your insurance too. this car is absolutly mint.

Fully serviced,timing belt etc,new pads,air con removed but still have in shed
New carbon spoiler
New strut braces up front and back in boot and underneath
New uprated leads
New tenzo lowering springs
New short shifter with type-r gear knob
Rare S-21 gearbox with LSD(shorter ratio also),traction control
Serviced every 5000km with honda oil filter and castrol gtx magntec,not burning a drop of oil
Sunroof
Call 086-37722916,very quick car

tuxy

Maybe an import so

Toyota Cynos or Mitsubishi Mirage coupe both come with 1.3l engines so you should have no trouble with insurance.

A 1.5 mazda mx-3 is also an option but I think it's very difficult to find one here.

peasant

170 bhp for a learner driver ?

hmmm ...


how about a "pretend" Beemer (at least speeding won't be an issue )
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=638831
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=645365
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=625090

Atomic Pineapple

Wisesmurf wrote:

Nothing to do with my manhood thanks, I just want to like the look of my own car. Im too young to have preformance so I might as well have looks, the prob is they seem to come hand in hand.

Galanza is not an option. I hate the things; I think they are the utter embodiment of scanger!

Im still looking. Carzone keeps timing out, Is it me?


Edit: 106 gti, talk about a wolf in sheeps clothing..

yeh 106gti is some car, the insurance companies know it too though!

too right on the glanza too, such muck

carzone is working alright for me

shanebrk

peasant wrote:

170 bhp for a learner driver ?

its still a 1.6l he was talking about getting a 1.8 first off

Atomic Pineapple

shanebrk wrote:

its still a 1.6l he was talking about getting a 1.8 first off

yeh but the insurance companies know all about the civic and its power, insurance is loaded on it, as it would be on a 1.8 and it would be impossible or very very very expensive to get insured on it

Wisesmurf

I think I'm not going to get what I want at this stage. A year in a junker is destined I think and a nice car next yr. I didnt want that but needs must.

I think moral of the story is there are no gems out there that the insurance guys dont know of.

Thanks for all the replys

Deflated,
Wisesmurf!

Atomic Pineapple

yeh it is worth it though, i've gone from fiesta to a focus and for my next car am looking at nissan 200's, skylines, toyota celicas ss-III gt-4, Altezza's, just have to get the money over the summer and pick one

bazz26

shanebrk wrote:

its still a 1.6l he was talking about getting a 1.8 first off

Alot of insurance companies base their premiums on engine bhp not just displacement. Also unfortunately when it comes to Honda Civics and young males, an insurance company's risk assesment can go through the roof.

To the OP, to be honest I think anything that looks sporty but with little or no performance could be considered a hairdresser's car or the likes. But this is only if labels like this really bother you.

I still think your best options are the likes of the Ford Puma, Hyundai Coupe or maybe a BMW E36 316i Coupe.

tuxy

bazz26 wrote:

I still think your best options are the likes of the Ford Puma, Hyundai Coupe or maybe a BMW E36 316i Coupe.

No his best option is the conclusion he has come to. Drive a cheap slow car for a year , then get what he really wants next year.

BrandonBlock

Not only that but for learning to drive you are probably gonna put excessive wear on your first car until you have a few months driving under your belt and know how to look after the car properly. My 1st car was a cheap astra that I picked up for €800 and that did me grand for a year. So glad I didnt start on a more expensive car because the amount of times I knocked/dinged/banged/scratched it slightly off pillars, walls, gates etc when learning to drive was unreal. Knocked off a mirror driving too close to a wall, dented and scratched 3 panels when pulling out of my drive once. Also went a couple of weeks with NO engine water/coolant at all (was ignoring the temp gauge) until I learned how to check it. And checking oil etc - basically learning how to look after your car. On the plus side I learned from all those mistakes and haven't made a single mistake in my new car.

Anyway no-one here can make the decision only yourself but my advice would be to pick up a 96-97 1.0-1.4l max for a few hundred euros until you learn to drive/look after your car/build up no claims bonus - then start looking at the ftos, gtos, evos, celicas, skylines, mr2 etc

bo-bo

what about a 16 valve levin - not sure what the number of the block is but they are pokey enough without being as powerfull as their 20 valve cousin. or a honda civic coupe, the lsi version is reasonable enough to insure.

legs11

there was scooby and pug baby magnets on here a while ago, should be insurance friendly also........:rolleyes:

tuxy

legs11 wrote:

there was scooby and pug baby magnets on here a while ago, should be insurance friendly also........:rolleyes:

Something tells me the OP isn't a skanger, just a hunch.

gary the great

Get a 1.6 Mivec colt.
That mivec engine is an animal.

A mate got one and was trying to tell Quinn its a mivec engine but it wasnt on their list so it went down as just a 1.6 colt, so you'll save a fortune on insurance

Mike07

Wisesmurf wrote:

I think I'm not going to get what I want at this stage. A year in a junker is destined I think and a nice car next yr. I didnt want that but needs must.

I think moral of the story is there are no gems out there that the insurance guys dont know of.

Thanks for all the replys

Deflated,
Wisesmurf!

just dont blow it all playing poker in the next year:)

it'll be worth the wait-- g'luck

Biro

Honda Integra 1.6. Might be hard to find a clean one, but a nice black one would work, clean, and not too fast, but reliable and affordable.

paraicr

Honda Integra maybe??

Could get a 98 similar to this for €6k - €7k. Agree ul be paying ridiculous insurance while your on a provisional licence. I started on a 1.3 lancer and paid €2k 3rd party for the first year.

A 1.6 or higher is not suitable if you havent passed the driving test. Regardless of how responsible you are i think a very high insurance premium is justified in cases like this.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=634015

Hibernian used to do e pre-ignition course which gave a reduction for provisional licence holders.

Also do a check and ring some numbers, just to see what kind of money ur talking for insurance.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Go for a Mazda RX-7, 1.3L.

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=595699

Deadly car I think. But maybe the fact that it's only a 1.3L might not be enough to save you from the insurance companies, seeing as it's so sporty and can output so much power from a relatively small engine. I dunno.

Kaos Theory

No way should a learner driver get into an RX7, he'll wrap it round a pole! I've a '92 and its alot of power to be putting down through 2 wheels!

While I love my RX7 I'm glad I drove other cars before hand so I could make all the learner driver mistakes that most people make.

A car nobodies mentioned is the CRX Del Sol...



Comes in 1.5 and 1.6 SIR, the 1.5 will be insurance friendly plus you'll get the sports car look you're after. Also, you'll have the electric roof just in time for the good weather!

HTH,
Kaos

Vegeta

1.6 mx5?

bjmotors

civic sir 1.6 or Integra Sir 1.8. Two great cars:D

SouperComputer

Jonah Sticky Visor wrote:

Go for a Mazda RX-7, 1.3L.

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=595699

Deadly car I think. But maybe the fact that it's only a 1.3L might not be enough to save you from the insurance companies, seeing as it's so sporty and can output so much power from a relatively small engine. I dunno.

As its not a "traditional" compression, piston engine it is not considered a 1.3. Its nearer a 2.5L hence the comparatively woeful fuel comsumption.

Nice car though, if the apex seals are done correctly!

legs11

i think people here are losing the plot, half the cars mentioned here are not suitable for a young guy on a prov licence, ffs.......
1.8 integras, rx-7's........

road statistics hello.............!

tuxy

Alot of idiots on this thread. Or are they are just taking the piss?

SouperComputer

The Rover 214 isnt too bad. Looks decent and for its engine size offers decent peformance.

Just be sure to keep an eye on the coolant level and buy a well-cared for example.

Puff Puff Pass

Im actually younger than you but still on a provisonal. I've a Levin BZ-R 20Valve insured for 3k. I had a 106 GTI before that. There's two of the quikest 1.6's you can get along with the Mivec colt. You'll get insured on all of them and they all look class if you can find minters. Saxo VTS is another option as its pretty much identical to the 106 GTI.

The 106 GTI is an unbelievable car and for say €7k you could get a 01 or 02 minter if you look hard enough

Your looking at around a 97 Levin for €7K

Don't listen to all the bull**** saying get a 1 litre - you mite aswell get a moped. get what you want. would you prefer to pay €2K insurance on a 1 litre polo or €3k for a 160Bhp coupe?

bogmanfan

How about one of these. Looks the part, and apparently quite nice to drive. Gorgeous cars IMO, especially in yellow. And only in 3-door. 5-door is awful looking.

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=365634