Buying my first car, budget of 2-3k, suggestions?

ClaireBear90

I'm a 19-year-old female student, got my provisional & am looking to buy my first car!! Money is not in abundance, so my budget is about €2000-€3000. I want something smallish but safe. Was thinking of a Ford Focus but don't have a clue really...? Any suggestions?:)

The Big Red Button

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Colt/1.3-%28NCT/201014197563958/advert?channel=CARS

Mitzy Colt, NCT'd til 2012, only €1,950?

Got one as my first car a couple of years ago, still driving it, love it to bits and couldn't recommend them highly enough!

peanuthead

I also had a Colt, still do but I'm selling it. Wouldn't sell it to you as it's a heap of junk, but thats just because I let it get that way.

I didn't really realise the benefit of car maintenance, saw it as a waste of money actually. I learned my lesson!!

But yeah, colts are pretty great little first cars.

Not as great on petrol as people would have you think
And in hindsight it doesn't have a lot of power for a 1.3. Feels like there should be a 6th gear or something.

Overall, won't cost you as much as other cars imo

EDIT: Drive a Ford now actually. Not a focus though, a puma. So far so good but I'm yet to notice the niggly problems associated with them.

T83

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1156915

That particular one is over your budget but you'd get a good one one for 3k these days. 1.25, avoid the 1.3. Its economical, insurance friendly, a great car to drive, and much more solid than the previous generation (look a lot better too).

bigjohnny80

The last generation clio is a good car and has aged well.

coco_lola

Just remember to watch the size of the engine in the car that you buy, especially as you have a provisional and this will be your first car that you're insured on. The higher the engine size, the bigger your insurance. I got my provisional at 19 too and on a 1l Corsa it was 1,100 for mine, including the discount I got through my driving instructor.

civildefence

Toyota Yaris is an unbeatable first car. Very reliable and economical. Try to avoid Fiat and Renault. (waits for Fiat and Renault drivers counter-attack...)

bigjohnny80

civildefence wrote: »

Try to avoid Fiat and Renault. (waits for Fiat and Renault drivers counter-attack...)

On what basis should the OP avoid Fiat and Renault? Ah here .... don't even bother... yawn

Edit: you've never owned a renault so why say avoid??? - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=60753579#post60753579

Mahatma coat

Something that I noticed about insurance back home was that if a car was popular with a certain demographic, like the Colt for first time/young Drivers then it got disproportionatly loaded compared to other cars in the same bracket, whereas a little research can lead to big savings.

I bought a C180 merc once but there was absolutley no way anyone would consider insurin my twenty year olsd self for les than 10K (roughtly 3 times the price of the car)

So I got rid of it and bought a Renault Laguna which I was able to insure for less than a Grand. Lovely car it was too.

bazz26

You will pick up something like a Skoda Fabia 1.2 litre within your budget:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201014197559158

civildefence

bigjohnny80 wrote: »

On what basis should the OP avoid Fiat and Renault? Ah here .... don't even bother... yawn

Edit: you've never owned a renault so why say avoid??? - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=60753579#post60753579

Yeah, I never owned a Renault, but I drove a Renault Megane carvan for work for 2 years and it was an absolute piece of shyte. Two of my friends have Lagunas that they bought new and have had nothing but trouble with them. As for Fiat, particularly the Punto...would you seriously recommend one to the OP as a first car?

A_Border_Bandit

Would a Golf or Focus be suitable? :P

maupat

A_Border_Bandit wrote: »

Would a Golf or Focus be suitable? :P

Not ideal first cars imho.

Go for a Toyota Yaris - a car with a smaller engine ( therefore lower insurance and tax and cheaper to run). They're very reliable and comfortable to drive. You should get you a good 2nd hand Yaris these days for 2-3k.

Good luck

ClaireBear90

Thanks for the help:)