Buying my first car

Dean820

I have about 1500 euro to spend, what would you recommend for a first car with a fella learning off? Thanks.

Vertigo100

polo or fiesta. then again you could just be a jammy fukcer like me and drive ur girlfriends 323f to start then get a 1.4 fiat brava as your first car then buy a bmw after 4 months and get rode for insurance!

Jrad

1 litre starlet, boom job done!

eringobragh

I second the Starlet,

Other options Micra, Polo, Fiesta.

Stay clear of FIAT

Niall1234

I'd go for the Polo or Fiesta.

My advice is to go for a 1.2 engine. After about a month you'll quickly regret buying a 1.0 The difference in insurance wouldn't be that big (if at all).

bman

I'd also recommend the Polo or Fiesta. Although the Micra wouldn't be a bad choice either but in my mind is not near as nice to drive if you have to go any sort of long distances.

BFassassin

I would recommend a 1.2 Clio. Thats what I learned in and its a really good car. Worth checking out at least.

DamoDLK

Clio is a girls car!!!(joking) Seriously look at the Suzuki Swift - cheap as chips and solid as a rock. Starlets are bullet proof too, keep to the jap cars as they have good clutches, engines overall reliability etc. very learner friendly.!! happy hunting!!

colm_mcm

DamoDLK wrote: »

Clio is a girls car!!!(joking) Seriously look at the Suzuki Swift - cheap as chips and solid as a rock.

surely you meant "Solid as a Coke can" ??

reliable though.

DamoDLK

colm_mcm wrote: »

surely you meant "Solid as a Coke can" ??

reliable though.

Lol, the engines are a1, a lot of questions about the safety of the actual structure!

HJL

Seat Ibiza is a thinking man's Polo LOL, cheaper, better looking and slightly bigger. Watch out for clutch as they are a known fault.

DamoDLK

aye... forgot about the ibiza, the clutch is well known for its "less than adequate" reliability!

Dean820

Thanks for all the replies so far lads. Someone mentioned something about insurance, how much should that cost a fella starting off who's about 19? I know it depends on certain things but roughly what would it be.

DamoDLK

When i was 20 starting off with NO no claims discount, i was quoted €2000 based on a 1.4, located in the North East of the country, since i was in college in the South East, (Waterford) using this address, on d same car it was €1500. with the same insurance company HIB...

Celtic07

i to am getting my first car to. im 21 have a provisional licence waiting to do full. Polo or peugeout 206 wat ye think?

Stephen

Dean820 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies so far lads. Someone mentioned something about insurance, how much should that cost a fella starting off who's about 19? I know it depends on certain things but roughly what would it be.

Go to the various different insurance companies' websites - most of them do online quotes so you can get exact prices for your situation.

DamoDLK

I reckon you can't go wrong with a fully maintained 206. A lot of them are learner cars be weary of a worn clutch or a high miler!

Celtic07

Considering getting a fiat stilo very nice car from previous owner did it up alloys etc..anyone have any exp with this car

L1011

eringobragh wrote: »

Stay clear of FIAT

Elaborate. With first hand experience, please; not stuff you heard on here.

L1011

Celtic07 wrote: »

Considering getting a fiat stilo very nice car from previous owner did it up alloys etc..anyone have any exp with this car

Year and engine? 02-early 04 Stilo's are relatively poor, 04+ are grand. Late 04 models came with a Euro NCAP 4 star sticker on the back window (earlier models were 3 star, they re-did it after a major internal redesign)

The 1.2 16V, while it doesn't have the head gasket issues of the standard 1.2 8v Fiat engine, is far too slow for that size of car. The bigger petrols and the diesel are fine.

Celtic07

MYOB wrote: »

Year and engine? 02-early 04 Stilo's are relatively poor, 04+ are grand. Late 04 models came with a Euro NCAP 4 star sticker on the back window (earlier models were 3 star, they re-did it after a major internal redesign)

The 1.2 16V, while it doesn't have the head gasket issues of the standard 1.2 8v Fiat engine, is far too slow for that size of car. The bigger petrols and the diesel are fine.

02 1.2 16v do you have personal experience with this type of car because more than likely will purchase

colm_mcm

The 1.2 shared it's engine and gearbox with the 00-on Punto Sporting, can be prone to gearbox trouble. get a warranty. 2nd gear syncromesh in my Sporting went after 4 months. watch out for grinding when changing gears driving hard.

Celtic07

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 1.2 shared engine and gearbox with the 00-on Punto Sporting, can be prone to gearbox trouble. get a warranty.

would you like them yourself personally?

colm_mcm

I nearly bought a 1.6 3dr with skyroof when they first came out.
took a 1.6 3dr for a drive, Actually thought it was a 1.2 as it wasn't nearly as quick as I was expecting. that put me off. Drove the 1.2 years later and found it easily as nippy as a 1.4 Golf or Focus. 6 gears help.

Was impressed with the interior, as the first run of them came very highly specced, they pulled the spec back later on in the models life. I remember air conditioned glovebox loads of airbags, remote stereo, and traction control being on the model I drove, this was back when remote locking was considered posh by the competition!

Celtic07

colm_mcm wrote: »

I nearly bought a 1.6 3dr with skyroof when they first came out.
took a 1.6 3dr for a drive, Actually thought it was a 1.2 as it wasn't nearly as quick as I was expecting. that put me off. Drove the 1.2 years later and found it easily as nippy as a 1.4 Golf or Focus. 6 gears help.

Was impressed with the interior, as the first run of them came very highly specced, they pulled the spec back later on in the models life. I remember air conditioned glovebox loads of airbags, remote stereo, and traction control being on the model I drove, this was back when remote locking was considered posh by the competition!

you know your cars man:D..yeah buying it monday 4200..1.216v..sporty red..alloys..grand first car