first car - where to start?

Random

Right .. I'm looking at getting a car. At the moment I'm a named driver in my mams car but of course that's not a great setup as I don't have the car all the time.

I don't have the money for a car so I'd be looking for a loan.
I don't want any sort of special car, fancy car, or anything. I'm happy with something basic that ain't a pink Ford Ka .. you know?

Where do I start? Do I ask the bank how much they'll give me? Do i find a car I'd like? Do I get insurance quotes, but what car do I tell them?

Any advice is welcomed.

Thanks

peasant

My advice would be to spend as little as you can get awauy with, seenashow you don't have any money.

Cars cost a lot ...not just to buy but also to keep and run ...a lot more than you initially think.

You don't want to cripple yourself with debt ...so keep the budget for the purchase within "banger territory" ...unless of course you've got generous relatives

chris85

I think you are best going to the bank first to see how much they will give you. That way you know how much you have.

Next see what type of car you want. By this i mean what litre size. Then pick a few cars you like in that class and get a quote for them. This will give you an idea of the insurance prices for the type of car you want.

So now you can see how much you actually have to spend on the car.

Carefull with buying, if the place looks dodgy, dont even think bout it. Give the car a test drive and never buy it on the spot, give it a day to make sure you like it. You may love the look of the car and all but after thinking bout it it may not seem as good

cantdecide

How experienced a driver are you? License?

I presume you want something cheap- you have every chance of getting a very good modern reliable car from about €1500, but in this range, if you're unlucky or not careful enough it could be a sh*tbox.

Likes of this are great value
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=793198

Random

I'm 22 years old. I've had my full license since June this year.

gyppo

OP,

Seeing as you're starting out something along the lines of a cheapie 1L car is going to be the least to insure, tax, and run.
My advice is something like this:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=793897

Forget about the years, buy on condition, and in the case of something like the one above, make sure the car is NCT'd as a condition of sale.

cornbb

Make up a random car that would be something like the one linked above (eg 99 Primera, 1.6l engine) and ring tons of insurance companies to get an idea of what you'll need to pay. Prepare to be hit hard. Mention your time as a named driver as a few companies might give you a discount for it.

Then decide upon your budget for the car. You should probably limit yourself to 1.4 litre or less. Bring someone who knows what they're doing along when you're viewing cars. There are a ton of factors to take into account, eg age, mileage, NCT, engine size, the reputation of the make/model for reliability etc.

Once you've picked out the car you want to buy make sure you ring the insurance people back to find out exactly how much you'll be paying first.

And be prepared to pay a fortune for petrol and maintenance Good luck with it.

pete4130

As said above, first see how much everything will cost and add it up.

- Buying car (see what cars suit your price range & insurance premiums!)
- Insurance
- When is tax due & how much?
- NCT due?
- Running costs

then see if you can get a loan to cover this amount.

Once you get the loan go looking at cars you think might be the one for you.

The Ka is cheap to buy,run and maintain (even if it is pink!). I'm actually thinking of looking to get a cheap one for the other half.

Ford Escorts can be got for dirt cheap these days too, bigger than a Ka and the insurnace shouldnt be too crippling either? If you're interested check out www.whatcar.co.uk It does reviews of most cars new and 2nd hand.

colm_mcm

Spend as little as possible on everything.
something small and Japanese is ideal. Ideally a bigger car would be nice, but if you want tiny tax, insurance and fuel costs, something like an old Micra or Starlet Swift should do the job.

gobby

I think something small and cheap would be best for a first car. You want something that you can use without having to pump loads of cash into (insurance/tax/petrol).

I started with a 1 litre corsa. Looked terrible as the paint had oxidised and rather than red it had turned a shade of pink (common problem with old corsa's) but it drove (with a stiff clutch and accellerator mind you)

Drove it until I got my licence and then I picked up something a bit nicer (Honda CRX)

Random

Something nice and cheap but ideally something that would survive a trip to Limerick or Mayo aswell - car would be mainly for getting to/from work and around Dublin.

Insurance would ideally be cheap.

colm_mcm

1.0 superminis will easily handle going to Limerick or Mayo

cantdecide

gobby wrote: »

I think something small and cheap would be best for a first car.

OP, small and cheap in Ireland is a contradiction- the smallies are fundamentally overpriced.

For insurance give them a few sample cars 1.6 saloon, 1.4 hatch/ family saloon and a 1.1 hatch- most people find the premiums these days are pretty much the same (unless it's 1.8 hatch for example- think power to weight).

You will probably find running costs for all cars are simlar 1.6 or under are very comparable too (realistically, difference between 35 mpg and 40 mpg is insignificant, all things considered).

If you have lots of driving to do- it doesn't make sense to buy a 10 yr old hatch IMO when you can have a car that was originally the equivalent of a €30k car. Smaller cars will make you stop more often to stretch your legs that's personal experience.

In a nutshell, OP- If I wanted value, comfort, relibility, spec, economy, practicality, I wouldn't be looking for a corsa.

cue colm_mcm

colm_mcm

you're wrong, etc. etc.

(apart from the whole Corsa thing)

cantdecide

I bet if you were in the OPs position, you wouldn't buy a fiesta. Lots of people tell other people a supermini is a car that would be good for them.

Random

I'm driving around my mams Toyota yaris at the moment and in terms of size I find it just about comfortable to sit in.

Random

cantdecide wrote: »

I bet if you were in the OPs position, you wouldn't buy a fiesta. Lots of people tell other people a supermini is a car that would be good for them.

Forgive me, is a supermini actually a type of car? Or do you use it to describe a particular class?

cantdecide

ciaranfo wrote: »

a particular class

Smallies!

colm_mcm

I started out diving superminis as I was on a budget. When you're dealing in cheap cars, the difference od €250 a year in road tax is significant, so is a difference 10-15mpg. The OP says he's only had a full license for a few months and wants to spend small money. I don't see how buying a 1.6 family saloon fits into this.

Random

Trying to work out some of the costs then ... some sample figures, maybe someone could correct me if I'm wrong?

NCT (every 2 yrs) - €50
Tax (every yr) - €150
AA checkup if buying from a private person - €100
car itself - €1500
insurance (every yr) - €2000

Anything I'm missing beyond petrol?

colm_mcm

ciaranfo wrote: »

Trying to work out some of the costs then ... some sample figures, maybe someone could correct me if I'm wrong?

NCT (every 2 yrs) - €50
Tax (every yr) - €150
AA checkup if buying from a private person - €100
car itself - €1500
insurance (every yr) - €2000

Anything I'm missing beyond petrol?

That's €151 tax for a 1.0

1.6 will cost you €391

factor in tyres servicing petrol

Random

So, one year, I'm looking at a minimum of 4k?

colm_mcm

yeah, but €1500 is the car!

cantdecide

Difference in tax is only a small price to pay in order to release the VALUE of having a car that cost twice as much when new-

OP, buying a car is going to be a shock to the current account and motoring doesn't have to be an exercise in economy- you can get a pair of jeans in tesco for €7 but that isn't a good reason to wear them to the pub.

You're car is going to knock you back €4k/ €5k/ €6k annually because motoring is a multi-faceted affair. What if it turns out to be a wreck? What if you have an accident? If you thought like this you wouldn't get out of bed in the morning.

Over the course of the year, if the difference of a couple of ton on tax in order for you to buy a far superior, safe, stable, comfortable car is going to put you under, you shouldn't be buying a car.

You are going to buy a fiesta, we all know it but trust me, for maybe 5% more overall expenditure, you could have had FAR superior motoring experience. I can demonstrate this all day long but go ahead, enjoy your fiesta.

Random

Please demonstrate. I'm here as someone who's knowing nothing and is trying to work this stuff out. I appreciate all the comments and advice so far.

colm_mcm

Buy a suzuki swift 1.0 for €1500
Get 50mpg easy.
Pay €151 per year to tax it,


Buy an Nissan Primera 1.6
Get 35mpg
pay €391 to tax it
pay aorund €600 more(guess, at 22 years old) to insure it

I'm not anti bigger cars by the way, I average 23mpg and pay over €500 a year road tax, this is through choice though.

dubambman

Id go for the bigger car.

I bought a 1.6 passat after only doing a few driving lessons, definitely the best choice i made. The bigger cars depreciate quicker so you'll get one for about the same price as the smaller cars.
I find they are great if you are the designated driver a lot, as if their are guys messing in the car they are that bit farther away from you so you can concentrate on the road unperturbed. The running costs arent mad and the only place you really feel it is the tax, €394. They're great for long journeys and you get used to the bigger size when parking really quickly.

Anyway, thats just my two cents.
Oh yeah, and if you play golf you can get the clubs in, without taking out the drivers.

colm_mcm

best thing would be to get insurance quotes and figure out things like annual mileage, what car will actually be used for etc.

cantdecide

colm_mcm wrote: »

Buy a suzuki swift 1.0 for €1500
Get 50mpg easy.
Pay €151 per year to tax it,


Buy an Nissan Primera 1.6
Get 35mpg
pay €391 to tax it
pay aorund €600 more(guess, at 22 years old) to insure it

I'm not anti bigger cars by the way, I average 23mpg and pay over €500 a year road tax, this is through choice though.

Surely optimistic mpg for a 10 year old car

You can't make assumptions like that about insurance any more- the days of bigger engines automatically meaning bigger premiums despite body type are gone.

You're talking marginal differences here in OVERALL costs between a swift and a Primera- I know which one I'd want.

colm_mcm

reL differences in costs: That's why I'm saying the OP should work out mileage and usage, If he's just looking for the chapest ownership (which I thought he was) then I stand by my choice.

re: insurance: With no no-claims bonus for a 22 year old guy, engine size is still a big factor in getting affordable insurance.

gyppo

I'm with Colm on this.

I earlier suggested something like a 92/93 starlet for around the 1000E mark. Something like this with an nct can be sold 18 months down the line for much the same money as you pay for it. There is always a buyer for these cars.

Its going to be a different story with a 1.6l car though.

cantdecide

Realistically, that's then. You have to live today too- I wouldn't favour a starlet or a swift over a primera because in 2 years time someone else is going to be foolish enough to think that they'll save a fortune by getting a tiny car.

Two years service from a €1500 car and you're greedy enough to want ALL your money back?

Gyppo, you wouldn't tolerate a crappy car like that (c'mon) for 2 whole years, why should the OP?

Colm, you're right- usage is far more important than people let on when deciding what the most suitable car is for an individual case but most people aren't so hard up that they must spend as little as possible. I find most cases where people buy small cars, their usage means they are unsuitable but the allure of apparent saving of money clouds their judgement.

Random

Maybe it appears like I'm settling or something... but I'd almost be happy to get something to keep me going for 6 months to a year and look at changing it then .. hard to decide really which is best.

cantdecide

I would settle for a cheap car but i would never settle for a small car. You have every chance of getting a decent car you can keep for a long time without 'outgrowing' it amd getting it very cheaply too.

Apart from a little dullnes, rep-mobiles (like primera/ carina/ vectra) tick as many boxes for as many people as possible because they are designed to be good all-rounders. Bigger depreciation means bargain for you and at this price range, they will depreciate no more.

Hatches are for housewives to go to the shops in (despite the marketing). If you settle for one now you will probably regret it. Get a primera or similar now for the same money and you probably won't.

gyppo

cantdecide wrote: »

Realistically, that's then. You have to live today too- I wouldn't favour a starlet or a swift over a primera because in 2 years time someone else is going to be foolish enough to think that they'll save a fortune by getting a tiny car.

Two years service from a €1500 car and you're greedy enough to want ALL your money back?

Gyppo, you wouldn't tolerate a crappy car like that (c'mon) for 2 whole years, why should the OP?

Colm, you're right- usage is far more important than people let on when deciding what the most suitable car is for an individual case but most people aren't so hard up that they must spend as little as possible. I find most cases where people buy small cars, their usage means they are unsuitable but the allure of apparent saving of money clouds their judgement.

My point was that the smaller type car would be more suitable for the OP to start driving in and gain confidence - then change it for something more suitable when they feel like changing.
I never said ALL, btw, but looking from a cost perspective like the op is, you will certainly get a large proportion of it back. With the 1.6l types, next stop will probably be the scrapyard.
I see where you are coming from, the 1.6L car will be a better drive - buy buy it when you can afford the insurance, tax, service costs,etc..

And yes, I have tolerated a 92 starlet (well, my wifes car ) for 4 years.
I'd be suprised at anyone who has ever owned one not rating them highly. Never gave a spot of bother, was economical, nice to drive, nippy enough, and I sold it last march for 900E with a 2 year nct on it. The 2nd caller to ring bought it - and I probably could have it sold 10 times over, judging by the amount of interest.

Random

And for someone with no clue about cars is it better to pay a little more in a garage or should I just bring an AA mechanic or something with me?

I'm still very interested in peoples thoughts on a nice cheap (to buy, run, reliable enough, all rounder) car are. As I say, I'm named driver on a Yaris at the moment and I don't think I'd like any less space in the drivers seat! I don't want something tiny and don't want something massive either.


Thanks

cantdecide

A bigger car will feel more expensive but it's as much an illusion as buying a small one. Unless you head on up to 1.8/ 2.0 litre country, they're all there or there abouts.

For me, it's a no brainer, value is the key IMO, yes, you can save a little by slashing your expectations but I know what car I'd be looking for if I were on a budget.

Like I say a 1.6 vectra is not a big car in the grand scheme of things and it is only marginally more commitment. A 2.0 is a probably different story.

But I'm repeating myself.

The key thing is to look at carzone.ie- it's definitely the most consulted search site on Boards. Limit your search to a little more than you want to spend (you can always haggle down a bit).

Limit the search to 1.8. Though no matter what car you get, you'll probably have to get the smallest engine in the range if there's a 1.6 or a 1.8, they probably wouldnt quote for the 1.8. Ditto if the engines in the range are 1.8 or 2.0 like a mazda 626 for example.

1.8s are probably not automatically out and 1.8s will be cheaper to buy, if you found one you fancied. Have a look and see what cars show up that you'd like and get a feel for the pricing- get some quotes.

Insurance will be your biggest factor since you're starting out on your own policy. Choose some potential cars and get some quotes for them.

I imagine if you are spending a couple of grand or less you will end up buying privately because a dealer car for this money will cost more and only have a begrudging and half-assed waranty (eg, engine and gearbox only which he probably wouldn't fully stand over).

MAKE SURE the car is as honest as possible whether buying from a dealer or privately by using a reputable mechanic- that's the key.

If you see something you like and you can insure it, you can then bring someone who knows about cars for a look like a friend or relative. If it seems okay, you MUST then get a mechanic to see it. Any local mechanic in the phone book will see it for you but use someone recommended locally (ask here for recommendations when the time comes) make sure he doesn't have to travel 20 kms cos he will charge you.

Must have decent amount of NCT, must be recently or just serviced and have impending work like timing belt etc, cos these are expensive. No obvios damage like cracks in the windscreen or doors not opening, electrcis all work etc. etc.

Keep asking if there's anything else you want to know:)

B00MSTICK

Are you sure your insurance would be 2k?

Im 20 with 2 years named driver no claims and I can get a 1.5l Toyota Paseo ST for 900 a year.

Try the quinn direct website and mess around with different cars that take your fancy, 2k seems alot.

As far as reccomendations go, Ive only driven the family 1.4 98 Nissan Almera. Ive been driving it exclusively for the last 6 months and can't find any fault with it. Over 120k and no problems at all.

Random

I'm not sure on anything with insurance. I just ran through a quote on a sample 1999 1.1l fiesta valued at €2000 on www.insure.ie and it's about €1700.

I'll try the Quinn website and see what comes up for a few different models.

I don't specifially want (neither do I not want .. if that makes sense) a fiesta, I just used it as a sample.

cantdecide

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=643828

Stick that through as well for the sake of it...

cantdecide

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=643828

Stick that through as well for the sake of it...

Wait- no NCT on this one, actually

bazz26

To be honest I would start off with something small like a Fiesta or Corsa and let the OP experience how comfortable he/she is with running a small car for a few months. If the OP is confident that he/she can afford to run a larger car then he/she can trade up. The small car will loose very little in the mean time and it will allow the OP to test the water rather than jumping in at the deep end.

My advice is to start off with something that meets your requirements firts and then move on from there to something that you like or want. That is what I did with my first car, an old banger of a Nissan Sunny that got me on the motoring ladder.

cantdecide

My whole point Bazz is look at the facts. They cost virtually the same to buy and run so there is no merit in buying and running the poor cousin for a tiny difference in money.


Starting in a fiesta is not a requirement by law. 'Starting off?- need a small car, then'. It's the oldest cliche in the book and it's totally unfounded. OP, don't fall for it, you will only fool yourself.


OP has full license and experience and going through the process of buying and selling cars twice in a couple of months is unnecessary complication and stress IMO. Considering what little he's told us about his usage seems to indicate high mileage, it seems he'll need something more substantial the day he buys his fiesta. So why wait?


The cars I'm suggesting change hands all the time. I'e helped numerous workmates (mainly from Poland) buy nothing but small engined carinas, mondeos and vectras. This is the new market for these cars. It is not fair to say that a 100k mile 1.6 saloon in good nick is going to be scrapped or is worthless. Buy it for €1500 and you'll get most of your money back- it's a fact.


How many people downgrade from a 1.6 to a fiesta other than retired couples? People change up and usually never look back.


There is very little extra commitment in 1.6 mondeo than a 1.2 fiesta so unless you have a specific need for one (which no one has, really). It wouldn't make sense.

IrishPhoenix

Or instead of going for a Mondeo, he could go for a Ford Focus.

OP - my advice is test drive a selection of cars. See what size you're happiest with and then go on the hunt.

If you feel like a smaller or bigger car then, go for it. Ultimately though, from what I can see, your insurance seems to be costing as much if not more than the car. If that's a significant factor, then try to find out what's going to cost you the least.

Random

Thanks for the advice lads.

Cionád

ciaranfo wrote: »

Thanks for the advice lads.

Did you end up getting something?

Random

Not yet Clonad, am looking around still but hope to get something in the next week or two.

hamnegg

Don't touch a punto with a barge pole is all i'll say! Any of my mate that have them or have had them have had nothin but trouble. A friend of mine had an 89 starlet which he got for 500 yo yo's. not a bit of trouble. pissed through the NCT.

Random

99 Opel Corsa.

It'll keep me going for a couple of months. Better to have one while looking for something then have none.

Cionád

Did you get insurance? I think your €2,000 estimate is too high...

I threw a sample quote into quinn online quote service and came up at €830. I based the quote on 22yr old, 1 year named driving NCB (guess), driving a 99 3 door corsa (model: 55 sx), worth 3k.

Tried same details on 2 litre nissan almera, it was €950

Random

Got insurance yah.

Can't remember exact figures she said on the phone but was €260 deposit and €100 a month.
Open Corsa 5dr. 22yrs old. 1yr named driving. Fully comp.