Buying 1st car- is it better to go for a cheap one or a dear enough one?

kaji

I'm buying my 1st car- is it better to go for a cheap one or a dear enough one? Because people are saying buy a cheap one (as if they expect me to crash it!) but I was thinking it would be cheaper in the long run to buy a dearer car as I would have it for longer and it would work out cheaper.

By the way, I'm talking about cheap (1,000- 2,000 ish) and dearer (7,000-8,000 ish).

Any ideas people?

Alanstrainor

It's not that people are saying you're going to destroy your car, since you're only starting out, there's a good chance you'll give a few knocks and scrapes, and possibly put undue wear on the clutch when you're learning.
The above is assuming you've never driven before?

daveharnett

kaji wrote: »

I'm buying my 1st car- is it better to go for a cheap one or a dear enough one? Because people are saying buy a cheap one (as if they expect me to crash it!) but I was thinking it would be cheaper in the long run to buy a dearer car as I would have it for longer and it would work out cheaper.

By the way, I'm talking about cheap (1,000- 2,000 ish) and dearer (7,000-8,000 ish).

Any ideas people?

If you are relatively new to driving, I'd say spend a grand on a car that will do the business for a year or two. Depreciation means that a (more) expensive car is never cheaper than a (reliable) cheap car, especially when you consider the clutch and parking damage common to new drivers. It is also especially true if you are male - no need for comprehensive insurance on a car that costs a grand!

oxegen85

cheaper one would be the best id say.. and it will be less overall as (more than likely you will star with 1l) tax, insurance, petrol costs are a less with a 1l. Car itself is less to maintain and will cost less to buy. A decent 00-02 1l car should be fine for a year or 2 without much problems unless you do big miles.

meathstevie

Buy as good a car as you can afford and look after it.

zilog_jones

Do you actually have €7-8k? If you don't, take into account the interest you'd be paying on a loan - with that and depreciation I doubt it would work out cheaper at all.

kaji

Thanks guys, OP here. I never even thought about the fact not to bother going for comprehensive insurance on a cheap car, thats such a good idea. I'm a fairly new learner, did loads of lessons but really need to practice on my own. I'd drive with someone else just to and from work and shops, just to build up driving experience. I'll probably go for a cheap car so!

php-fox

I really like the way people suggest buying cheap cars for beginners: "Hey, buy a little ugly car, so you wouldn't care if you crash it in to a bmw worth 60k".
I say buy something you like and care about. So that you would look after it and value it.
Besides, it really depends on your personality. Some people won't learn how to drive properly in their entire life, other pick it up in a week.
I started out with a brand new car. Mazda 3. Not a single scratch or an accident. And the main thing is to be confident. Asking such questions on boards isn't a sign of confidence

kaji

php-fox wrote: »

And the main thing is to be confident. Asking such questions on boards isn't a sign of confidence

Looking for advice isn't a sign of not being confident, its being wise.

oxegen85

the OP was wondering really which is cheaper.. Thats where my advice is coming from not from buying ugly cars when you start out..

MagicMarker

php-fox wrote: »

I really like the way people suggest buying cheap cars for beginners: "Hey, buy a little ugly car, so you wouldn't care if you crash it in to a bmw worth 60k".
I say buy something you like and care about. So that you would look after it and value it.
Besides, it really depends on your personality. Some people won't learn how to drive properly in their entire life, other pick it up in a week.
I started out with a brand new car. Mazda 3. Not a single scratch or an accident. And the main thing is to be confident. Asking such questions on boards isn't a sign of confidence

You can buy a cheap car that you like and care about too you know?

Mr Benevolent

kaji wrote: »

Looking for advice isn't a sign of not being confident, its being wise.

+1. Failing to ask for advice shows stupidity, not confidence.

colm_mcm

I"d get a cheap one first, then if you scrape it or whatever it won't be an issue. If you get a good example you just might want to keep it.

php-fox

kaji wrote: »

Looking for advice isn't a sign of not being confident, its being wise.

Yeah, got that.
I'd advice more expensive cars. They are safer, cheaper to run and usually will cause less trouble (repairs, parts, etc).
Also, you will be more careful with it. Because it's your money in the end

Good luck with your first car..

MagicMarker

php-fox wrote: »

Yeah, got that.
I'd advice more expensive cars. They are safer, cheaper to run and usually will cause less trouble (repairs, parts, etc).
Also, you will be more careful with it. Because it's your money in the end

Good luck with your first car..

*facepalm*

You can buy perfectly safe, cheap to run, hassle-free cheaps cars too you know?

Seriously, this kind of logic is retarded.

php-fox

MagicMarker wrote: »

*facepalm*

You can buy perfectly safe, cheap to run, hassle-free cheaps cars too you know?

Seriously, this kind of logic is retarded.

What's retarted about this logic?
I said cheaper to run. I am not disputing the fact that older cars are also cheap to run. I am sayng CHEAPER. For 8k you can buy an 04-06 car. Their fuel efficient is way better than older 95-97 or so...
I said SAFER, i didn't say old cars are unsafe.
About hassle-free, I said usually will cause less trouble.

This kinda reading is retarded.

imitation

Get yourself something relatively cheap, if you go mad and spend 10k on something really nice then you`ll be fretting about bumps and the like. You probably wont have much, but its one less thing on your mind when your parking it in town at night or in a tight multistorey car park.

Del2005

kaji wrote: »

Thanks guys, OP here. I never even thought about the fact not to bother going for comprehensive insurance on a cheap car, thats such a good idea. I'm a fairly new learner, did loads of lessons but really need to practice on my own. I'd drive with someone else just to and from work and shops, just to build up driving experience. I'll probably go for a cheap car so!

You can't drive on your own till you passed your test so you'll need someone with a full B licence held for 2 years in the passenger seat.

I'd go for a cheaper car so you won't be worrying about hitting it or it getting hit till you are confident. If you're worried about safety make sure the car has a least a 3 EURO NCAP rating.

If you do go for a cheap car. Never insure it for the low value always say it's worth €3k, for some reason I always found they loaded me if I was honest and they only pay book value anyway.