First car??

ForeverYoung90

Alright guys,Im 20,male with a full Irish driving licence since last november.Ive been driving my fathers corolla under his name for a year.Im now looking at buying my first car.I have a budget of 4000e and would be interested in a 1.4 to 1.6 litre engine.Id rather pay the extra couple of hundred to be able to drive a bigger car than a mazda 121,fiesta etc.Ive been looking a this civic among others http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1415478
I know Im a young male but surely id get a quote in the region of 1600-2000e?Anyone with opinions to a good choice of a first car?
Thanks.:)

x in the city

its over priced, mediumsized skangerish and prob drive to the ground

id get a fiesta, the zetecs are not to be sniffed at

bazz26

Young male + first car + modified Honda Civic = with insurance companies.

BTW €3200 for that is laughable.

PaulKK

Corolla/Almera hatch? Or maybe 1.6 golf?

Edit:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1406820

or

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1414498

x in the city

bazz26 wrote: »

Young male + first car + modified Honda Civic = with insurance companies.

BTW €3200 for that is laughable.

youd buy a luxobarge for that, which could double as a very usable home.

Schorpio

for the €4000 mark you could get a nice '02 Golf. I reckon that'd be a better buy.

Or, you could get an almera hatch, which would cost less and you'd have insurance money left over! I had an Almera and it had rock-solid reliability.

Donnelly117

that car is hugely overpriced and has probably had the arse driven off it for most of its life.

daveharnett

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Im 20,male....civic

Insurer wrote:

:D:D:$$$

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

I know Im a young male but surely id get a quote in the region of 1600-2000e?Anyone with opinions to a good choice of a first car?

I'd check around with cars a size or two bigger actually, outside of normal first car territory. Mondeos and Pasaats can actually work out cheaper to insure than Focii/Golfs, despite slightly bigger engines. You'll spend a bit more on petrol, but you'll get more car/toys for your money too.

ottostreet

Try a late 90s BMW 318is! You'll think its a rocket, lovely cars to drive, look good (with mtec kit), and it only cost me eighty euro extra to insure over a 1.2 punto at age 20. it wasnt my first car but you could try it.

something like this, but without the HUGE alloys (18" is too big for an e36 IMO)

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1296368

ForeverYoung90

ottostreet wrote: »

Try a late 90s BMW 318is! You'll think its a rocket, lovely cars to drive, look good (with mtec kit), and it only cost me eighty euro extra to insure over a 1.2 punto at age 20. it wasnt my first car but you could try it.

something like this, but without the HUGE alloys (18" is too big for an e36 IMO)

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1296368

mmmm interesting!What type of quote would I be looking at?

johnos1984

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

mmmm interesting!What type of quote would I be looking at?

Call them and see, there are too many variables for someone to give you an idea

nukinfuts

what about a Focus - you'd get this down to 4 grand or under no bother

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3717200

mileage is average too - just passed its NCT

btw from a girls point of view - do not get a civic, only scroats drive civics!

ForeverYoung90

nukinfuts wrote: »

what about a Focus - you'd get this down to 4 grand or under no bother

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3717200

mileage is average too - just passed its NCT

Ya Ive always liked the focus and hear there very nice to drive!Id like to buy local so Dublin would be ruled out for me!Would this be a good example?http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1390326

johnos1984

That one looks wrecked plus the front bumper has been knocked off and the wheel arch panels behind it not replaced!

nukinfuts

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Would this be a good example?http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1390326

yeah thats not bad, modifications could go against you on insurance (tinted windows(?)) - plus if it's nct'd until 2011, does that mean dec 31st 2010, or dec 31st 2011. Obviously a longer nct would give you an idea on whether it's road worthy. A 3 door would prob suit you better too? looks better is what I mean.
Yeah, Focus are nice to drive - few other suggestions - Opel astra? Peugeot 306?

djimi

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Would this be a good example?http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1390326

Theres something not quite sitting right with me about the front of the Focus...

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

That one looks wrecked plus the front bumper has been knocked off and the wheel arch panels behind it not replaced!

I should add the splitter and undertray appear to be missing

nukinfuts

johnos1984 wrote: »

I should add the splitter and undertray appear to be missing

In other words - that car's f**ked!:D

johnos1984

nukinfuts wrote: »

In other words - that car's f**ked!:D

The fact it is modified and not repaired correctly would indeed give cause for concern

ForeverYoung90

Haha now that I look at that focus again its clearly missing the front bumper!Yer on the ball guys.;)

JerCotter7

I just went from a 1.4 focus to http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1404394. I would recommend a st170 if you're getting a focus. Or something higher than 1.4. I personally found it very dead compared to a 1.4 civic.

challengemaster

I'm 19 and I've an almera hatch 1.4, coming up to 180k miles and it's still rock solid. Also, so fecking comfy to drive. Seriously, I've probably done 10k+ in 3 months, ranging from 5 mins to +3hr drives.

And I got the car for 800 quid. So +++1million

ottostreet

@ OP...i doubt youd have a hope of getting a quote on a focus st170...

that 03 black focus is wrecked, dont touch it.

also, @nukinfuts, i cant tell if youre joking or not about the nct due date?

also, if you dont fancy the higher tax and insurance, you could try a 316

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1280574

quite difficult to find a decent e36 these days, and the few decent ones are ridiculous prices, but a clean one would be a great first car

ForeverYoung90

challengemaster wrote: »

I'm 19 and I've an almera hatch 1.4, coming up to 180k miles and it's still rock solid. Also, so fecking comfy to drive. Seriously, I've probably done 10k+ in 3 months, ranging from 5 mins to +3hr drives.

And I got the car for 800 quid. So +++1million

Nice one!What year is it?

challengemaster

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Nice one!What year is it?

Tis a 99, I prefer the old shape.

As for a e36 as a first car - almost all bimmers are RWD, while a clean e36 might make for a nice car - the RWD could catch someone with no experience off guard, especially in the wet. Any previous experience (learning) would have probably been in a FWD car.... Would be very easy for the tail to slip out some day...

ottostreet

challengemaster wrote: »

Tis a 99, I prefer the old shape.

As for a e36 as a first car - almost all bimmers are RWD, while a clean e36 might make for a nice car - the RWD could catch someone with no experience off guard, especially in the wet. Any previous experience (learning) would have probably been in a FWD car.... Would be very easy for the tail to slip out some day...

this is true. scratch the e36 actually OP. you may be able to afford it easily and have a nice car, but the e36 is pretty tail happy, particularly in the rain...even i had my moments going around roundabouts after nearly two years of driving one, and i knew what they were like!

if you want something thats not 'the usual' suggestion for a first car, why not something like:

Volvo S40
Audi A4
Citroen C4

all 1.8 or lower, are unusual choices for a 20 year old, and insurance shouldnt be too bad on any of them. the volvo might be a bit boring, but they are nice enough cars.

ForeverYoung90

challengemaster wrote: »

I'm 19 and I've an almera hatch 1.4, coming up to 180k miles and it's still rock solid. Also, so fecking comfy to drive. Seriously, I've probably done 10k+ in 3 months, ranging from 5 mins to +3hr drives.

And I got the car for 800 quid. So +++1million

Something like this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1347450
BTW since Im 20 and you were 19 what was your insurance like at the time??Cheers.

ottostreet

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Something like this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1347450
BTW since Im 20 and you were 19 what was your insurance like at the time??Cheers.

IMO, that generation almera is the worst car i have ever driven. had a 96 nissan almera 1.4gx as a loaner.

i thought it was bad in a funny way for the first ten minutes, and then absolutely hated it for the remainder of the week.

whether my opinion matters or not, just so you know!

Schorpio

challengemaster wrote: »

I'm 19 and I've an almera hatch 1.4, coming up to 180k miles and it's still rock solid. Also, so fecking comfy to drive. Seriously, I've probably done 10k+ in 3 months, ranging from 5 mins to +3hr drives.

And I got the car for 800 quid. So +++1million

I'm 20 and I've had a '99, 1.4s Almera saloon for the past 2 years. 170k miles on the clock and not given me an ounce of trouble or grief. Not the lightest on petrol, but not too heavy and certainly not gonna break the bank. Rock solid, good looking, comfy car. I too, can't recommend it enough!

challengemaster

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Something like this http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1347450
BTW since Im 20 and you were 19 what was your insurance like at the time??Cheers.

Yup, exact same - apart from colour :P I think 1350 for that is a little high though...
As I got mine:


And now:





Insurance for me is ~1000, but I've 2 years NCB...

ottostreet wrote: »

IMO, that generation almera is the worst car i have ever driven. had a 96 nissan almera 1.4gx as a loaner.

i thought it was bad in a funny way for the first ten minutes, and then absolutely hated it for the remainder of the week.

whether my opinion matters or not, just so you know!

IIRC, the gx is the lowest spec model - haven't driven one, but saw one, and compared to my own (sport) it seemed like a pile of shíte.

Best thing to do is get one for a test drive and see what its like

ForeverYoung90

After a few days searching donedeal Im likeing the look of this seat leon.There based on the golf and ive read good reviews on them!http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1391136
Thoughts?

ForeverYoung90

seat leon vs ford focus
opinions?

Alanstrainor

I actually like them both,i'd probably go with a focus 1.6 over a 1.4 leon though(Im not too sure whether or not the leon came with a 1.6 like the golf).
If it was a cupra, against a focus st170 id take the leon every time!

ForeverYoung90

Is a 1.4 Focus as slow as people say??

Alanstrainor

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Is a 1.4 Focus as slow as people say??

Yes!

Max_Damage

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Is a 1.4 Focus as slow as people say??

Slow and uneconomical.

NewApproach

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201025198512670

Drummerboy08

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Yes!

Max_Damage wrote: »

Slow and uneconomical.

I'd argue that.

For a person who is starting out driving, it will not feel slow to him.

As for the un-economical comment, I currently get around 400 miles to a tank. That to me isn't too bad for any petrol car.

No offense OP, but buy a car that is within your driving limits and not what you think is nice. I made that mistake when I started out and I wrapped a 2 week old to me Focus around a tree.

Max_Damage

Fiesta 1.25L Zetec or a 1.3L HCS (also called Endura-E) would be the best choices.

The Zetec if your into smoother engines, or the pushrod HCS if you are into doing work on a car yourself (very easy engines to work on).

dr.fuzzenstein

djimi wrote: »

Theres something not quite sitting right with me about the front of the Focus...

For starters it's a 1.4, you couldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding with that.
The 1.8 diesel is faster than that thing.
Had the Focus van 08 1.8 TDDI, vvti, was actually quite fast.
When it was in for service without fail I got a 1.4 petrol Focus.
It's slower than a wet week on a particularly grey Wednesday afternoon around half past 4.

cats.life

ForeverYoung90

Thanks for the replies so far guys!Ok I know its seriously late and I have to be up for work at 7.00 :eek: but what do ye make of this corolla?Ive been looking at golfs,focuses,almeras and corollas!
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1428226
Cheers!

Max_Damage

€3,200 for a 11 year old Corolla? :eek:

ForeverYoung90

Max_Damage wrote: »

€3,200 for a 11 year old Corolla? :eek:

Thats what I thought aswell its way overpriced!Is it worth a look?I think its a mint corolla!

challengemaster

Way too much for a corolla, you'd buy a Skyline GTST for that much (or not much more, tbh - no, not a first car recommendation! :P)

I'd say it's worth about 1300 at most. If you want a nicely modified corolla/etc - buy one that's well kept and fairly standard. Don't waste money on silly mods that won't hold any value when selling the car - ie. the body kit on that corolla. He's probably pricing it at what he paid for everything... in reality, none of that has kept its value.

All I have done to my almera is relatively simple stuff - front splitter, vzr grille (both got for 80e) and a set of 2nd hand alloys which were got when I needed new tyres anyway, so it didn't add a ridiculous cost. I also debadged it to no extra cost The trick is not to waste loads of money on your first car, because really, you won't have it forever, and keep the money instead for the next, better car.

squod

Max_Damage wrote: »

Fiesta 1.25L Zetec or a 1.3L HCS (also called Endura-E) would be the best choices.

The Zetec if your into smoother engines, or the pushrod HCS if you are into doing work on a car yourself (very easy engines to work on).

I'd keep a look out for a nice fiesta also.

http://cars.buyandsell.ie/search/cars-for-sale-under-5k/kerry/ford-fiesta-1299-petrol-2003-3

EverEvolving

Try this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1433754

My first car was a Mazda 323 and it was one of the best cars I've ever had, next car change will be getting another one. Plus you have plenty of €€€ left over!

RichyX

EverEvolving wrote: »

Try this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1433754

My first car was a Mazda 323 and it was one of the best cars I've ever had, next car change will be getting another one. Plus you have plenty of €€€ left over!

Been thinking about one of those myself.

I've heard the 1.3s are pretty bad on petrol though...