Q. - buying a car before test, advice please

Hmm_Messiah

Hi

I have very little experience driving as for years a sleep disorder made it a no no


I now want to past the test and get down to it ASAP

Thing is I rarely get to drive (maybe once a week if lucky)

So i was thinking of buying a car, parting as i share one at moment, partly as incentive to get the test

my question is 9i think!!! ) I was going to buy a small car, thinking easier to park etc, but ideally would like a bigger car. have seen a Citroemn C5 1.8 and it would be my car of choice

Oops - the question

Can any one see how this would be a bad idea as a learner car ? planed to buy and have intensive lessons (3+ per week)

Driving a primera 1.6 at moment ( when the car is available etc )

thanks

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

unkel

C5 and Primera are about the same size, so I can't see that as a problem

Hmm_Messiah

Hmm
Question related to whether a car was suitable re learnignt o drive / passing the test

so kind of seemed the right forum


thanks for the replies anyways

Another consideration I guess is the insurance on the 1.8 with a provisional licence

Drummerboy08

If you want a C5, buy a 1.6HDi (Diesel). The 1.8 Petrol model is a dog to drive. It will also be thirsty on fuel, have higher tax and insurance.

If you want a car to learn to drive in, be aware that the C5 is a massive car -very hard to judge where the bonnet ends.

If you insist on buying a decent motor, I would be looking at a 1.6TDCi Ford Focus, or if you like the Citroens, try a Citroen C4.

Seen as your only learning to drive however, i would be going for something cheap and cheerful - chances are you will have a couple of bangs and scrapes. No point in spending money on a decent car if it'l be covered in scratches within 6 months.

unkel

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Seen as your only learning to drive however, i would be going for something cheap and cheerful - chances are you will have a couple of bangs and scrapes.

People keep posting that here. Am I the only one to find that a shocking statement? If you are likely to regularly bang and scrape the car, you shouldn't be driving on the public road at all. Only having a provisional license is no excuse.

Mr Benevolent

Am I the only one to find that a shocking statement?

Yes and no. My brother hasn't had any scrapes in 5 months of driving, but he has bumped a car or two with no damage (in a carpark). Better to get something cheap that you won't be worried if it does get bumped or scraped.

Drummerboy08

Im talking about say, when parking the car, or manouvering in tight spaces. Its to do with experience i suppose, not capability.

On hindsight, my first car was a 98 Seat Ibiza, and i never had any knocks in it. After 6 months, i bought a 06 Focus, and within three weeks i wrote it off, due to the fact i didnt know my own limit, and the cars limit. Had i been driving longer, chances are i would have known to have braked that little bit earlier (or avoid the tree)

Its just my opinion Unkel. I may be right in some cases, you may be right in others.

Coming back to the C5, when I was 17, i worked in a Citroen garage, valeting cars and the likes. I used to pull in all the cars every evening, into a small yard. Being a Citroen dealer, we had a good few C5's. I learned the art of reversing and parking very very quickly. But it is a big car to try and manouver around. Just be aware of that. Maybe a smaller car to learn in first would be better to learn the basics in - your reversing and parking skills. Once you have the basics, its easier to get used to a bigger car such as the C5.

sonx

I too have started getting weekly lessons and want to buy a car soon. Depends on your experience, but a small car would be alot cheaper for car insurance too. Oh and if you get a good quote on car insurance can you let me know! Thanks!:p

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Hmm_Messiah

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

seems to have worked out that way too

darn
the car was lovely, the price is very lovely. more thought required