First Car

James2693

Hello,

I'm getting my permit in the post(hopefully) this week. and I'm wondering what is a good car to buy. My budget would be at most around €1700. I wouldn't really be able to insure anything more than a 1.2 at very very most.For obvious reasons(male).
I've been looking a Peugeot 106s and citreon saxos but I would be very grateful for any opinions or other suggestions.

I know there is already a few threads here about first car but I couldn't find one that suited my situation.(budget, engine size etc)
Thanks

Eoin

The 106 is a nice car, but very tight on space around the pedals.

Others to consider as well - 1.25 Fiesta, 1.2 Renault Clio.

James2693

eoin wrote: »

The 106 is a nice car, but very tight on space around the pedals.

Others to consider as well - 1.25 Fiesta, 1.2 Renault Clio.

Yeah.
I like the fiesta but I don't think I'd be able to insure the 1.25 engine.
Ive been looking at clios to and they seem to be a good price but the shape is bloody horrible!
Thanks for the help/advice though:) greatly appreciated:)

Eoin

Would the little extra engine capacity make that much of a difference? It's a great engine - worth checking out with your insurance quotes.

The Clios from 98/99-ish on look quite well I think, and will be within budget. Here's an example - ignore the colour of this one

The 1.2 engine is nippy enough and they tend to come well enough specced - electric windows, steering wheel controls for stereo etc.

Max Power1

A fiesta is a great starter car OP.

I got insurance on mine for €1100 with an LP and no NCB.

IKO

Im still on my first car which is a nissan micra. only 1 liter engine but tax is cheaper. Im very happy with it. small and nippy wiht a sunroof.

Its an 02 but it still cost me 4000 which is way over ur budget and i got it 2 years ago.

djimi

I cant imagine youd have any trouble whatsoever insuring a 1.25l Fiesta.

Max Power1

djimi wrote: »

I cant imagine youd have any trouble whatsoever insuring a 1.25l Fiesta.

indeed.
Mine was a 1.3 and i was not short of quotes (despite it being 15 years old)

IKO

try and get one wiht a new NCT so u dont have to worry about that for a while. and join the AA aswell! already saved me big time!

johnos1984

Hi James,

If money is tight and your looking for a first car that would be fun and cheap to run I wouldn't pick the Clio. I had one and it was hell.

The Fiesta would be a great choice and the insurance shouldn't be that much more.

Next up how about an old Suzuki Swift. They don't look great but they are a hoot to drive!

Another one to consider would be a Punto. They are a mixed bag really but there is so many of them still on the road that they can't be that bad. Check them out for HGF and if all is well it should be ok.

With what you have to spend on a car I'd forget about getting a new enough car and buy a car that is in good condition and appears to of been cared for regardless of age. An old car is better than a new car which breaks down.

Hope that helps

James2693

Thanks everybody for the replies.
I'm seriously looking into a fiesta now. I don't think I'd be to keen on a micra, a swift or a punto to be honest.Ya must think Im awful fussy lol:D
What about a seat ibiza?

Eoin

It won't be that nippy, and will probably have a pretty basic spec at that price. Same goes for the VW Polo.

johnos1984

James2693 wrote: »

Thanks everybody for the replies.
I'm seriously looking into a fiesta now. I don't think I'd be to keen on a micra, a swift or a punto to be honest.Ya must think Im awful fussy lol:D
What about a seat ibiza?

Not fussy at all they are all just suggestions.

The Ibiza is a good car but check the electrics carefully in it and make sure everything works as it should. If you also consider a Polo make sure it has powersteering

Bare in mind most of the cars your looking at may already of had one learner driver use them so the gearbox/clutch/suspension/bodywork may be a bit worse for wear.

alanmc

My first car was a Suzuki Swift (back in the day). It was only a 1 litre, but it revved well. It had an urgency about it. A willingness to go. Map import as well, so quite highly spec'd. Electric Windows. Power steering. Great little car.

johnos1984

alanmc wrote: »

My first car was a Suzuki Swift (back in the day). It was only a 1 litre, but it revved well. It had an urgency about it. A willingness to go. Map import as well, so quite highly spec'd. Electric Windows. Power steering. Great little car.

I had one for a few weeks in Scotland a couple of years back. I wasn't too happy when I saw what I was getting but a few miles down the road I was laughing and was sorry to give it back. They look gash and very aged but they are great craic

Bargain

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1353158

James2693

I really wasn't expecting this many replies. your awful helpful everyone:)

what about this?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1419628

Is it purple or silver? haha

Eoin

They're selling it right before the NCT is up...

I'm not saying that the NCT is any guarantee of condition, but it's still one less hassle you need to deal with.

James2693

Good point.

I hate to sound like some boy racer knobhead because I'm not. But everyone here seems to think the suzuki swift is a great car. But It is more than likely that I will get laughed at beyond words if I bought one of them:D

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1328214
?

johnos1984

James2693 wrote: »

Good point.

I hate to sound like some boy racer knobhead because I'm not. But everyone here seems to think the suzuki swift is a great car. But It is more than likely that I will get laughed at beyond words if I bought one of them:D

If you don't like it don't worry about it, I think its just me who likes them really

I personally don't care what cars look like as you will be driving it more than you are looking at it.

For looks then you will have to go French in my opinion but be warned a euro saved now is 2 spent later

James2693

Yeah true.
That link you put up of the swift is a bargain and probably would really consider it in black. I know it sounds stupid not buying a car because I don't like the color but I can't stand that pale blue:D

James2693

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1345530
what about that?

Alanstrainor

Insurance companies don't just consider engine size, so i wouldn't restrict yourself to 1.0->1.2 litres, i'd get quotes on anything up to 1.6 really. It's not the size of the engine, it's the type of car it's in, power etc etc.

johnos1984

The cover is missing from the fuse box on the right of the image.

Check for corrosion of the wires/fuses etc and rough running and also anything strange with the electrics.

Other than that I know little about these cars other than I have been told they aren't as good as a similar Polo but I'm not sure how true or correct that is

johnos1984

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Insurance companies don't just consider engine size, so i wouldn't restrict yourself to 1.0->1.2 litres, i'd get quotes on anything up to 1.6 really. It's not the size of the engine, it's the type of car it's in, power etc etc.

Agreed.

I always got very favorable quotes when I had my Avensis which was my first car.

Max Power1

Im selling a fiesta (well I will be on the 21st of july) its linked in my sig

[/shameless plug]

johnos1984

Max Power1 wrote: »

Im selling a fiesta (well I will be on the 21st of july) its linked in my sig

[/shameless plug]

I wouldn't call that a shameless plug, its more perfect timing.

OP check it out and if you can get it well within a 3 figure sum I think you've got a good first car.

You'll have money left to fit a decent stereo/speakers/alloys as well if you want or even colour code the bumper.

None of the above is my thing to do to a car but different strokes for different folks

James2693

Max Power1 wrote: »

Im selling a fiesta (well I will be on the 21st of july) its linked in my sig

[/shameless plug]

a 96 is a bit old. I'd be looking for something a bit newer with a few less miles on. I know I won't get a great car on my budget but there are bargains to be had:)

James2693

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/Saxo/1.1-FORI/201026198658825/advert?channel=CARS

I really like this. If I could get it for €1350-€1400

Max_Damage

Their is two basic small engines in the Fiesta:

1.25L Zetec: Grand little engine, quite nippy and economical.

1.3L HCS OHV: This is an older pushrod unit. Not as powerful and somewhat noisy, but it too is economical and easy to work on.

Max Power1

James2693 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Citroen/Saxo/1.1-FORI/201026198658825/advert?channel=CARS

I really like this. If I could get it for €1350-€1400

funny - thats the same place I bought the fiesta a while back.

the cars are priced to sell so i dont think youll negotiate much off

James2693

Max_Damage wrote: »

Their is two basic small engines in the Fiesta:

1.25L Zetec: Grand little engine, quite nippy and economical.

1.3L HCS OHV: This is an older pushrod unit. Not as powerful and somewhat noisy, but it too is economical and easy to work on.

cheers.good info.
yeah max power still a good buy though at 1500:) VRT really sickens me! If it wasn't for it I be straight up north picking up a bargain such as this

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_search.jsp?page=3&searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=PEUGEOT&min_pr=75&source=0&model=106&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=&mileage=&postcode=bt3+9jp&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=62&ukcarsearch_full.y=4

third one from the bottom. 00 peugeot 106, 59000 miles 595 quid!!!:mad:

Eoin

VRT would only be €400, so it would be on Irish plates for less than €1200.

James2693

I just went on the vrt website and did a calculation and yeah it came to €400 so you were bang on:D
What do you think of it then?

James2693

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1356178
What about this one? no NCT

White_Wolf

Try your hardest to get a car with NCT, you could not have any problems but if you do you could be out some money.

Cars I recommend are a Toyota Starlet or a VW Polo, great starting cars.

That care above looks well though and pretty low mileage for its age.

Btw this is all through other people and me being in cars with them, I don't drive yet myself.

James2693

White_Wolf wrote: »

Try your hardest to get a car with NCT, you could not have any problems but if you do you could be out some money.

Cars I recommend are a Toyota Starlet or a VW Polo, great starting cars.

That care above looks well though and pretty low mileage for its age.

Btw this is all through other people and me being in cars with them, I don't drive yet myself.

Yeah I was looking at polos they seem to be fairly expensive even with high mileage. Most Toyota starlets Ive looked at modified(driven into the ground:D) and way over priced...
Thanks for your help and advice though. its all greatly appreciated:)

Max_Damage

Alternately you could for a Ford Escort (good cars contrary to what most people think of them) or an early Focus.

argosy2006

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1341391 more of a big type car, but with 1.2 engine,

Max_Damage

argosy2006 wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1341391 more of a big type car, but with 1.2 engine,

From my days of working in a Fiat garage, I have learned that Stilo's are buckets of shít. Worst electrics I've seen in a modern car (maybe bar a Renault) in years.

argosy2006

Max_Damage wrote: »

From my days of working in a Fiat garage, I have learned that Stilo's are buckets of shít. Worst electrics I've seen in a modern car (maybe bar a Renault) in years.

really , would they not be sorted at this stage of cars life though,

Duckjob

Another vote for the Fiesta. Great little cars.

Get a half-decent one and it'll go forever. And if anything does go wrong with it, parts are plentiful and cheap as chips.

Max_Damage

really , would they not be sorted at this stage of cars life though,

Well I worked in the garage till 2006 and those things where coming in by the tow truck load!

I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole regardless.

White_Wolf

Max_Damage wrote: »

Alternately you could for a Ford Escort (good cars contrary to what most people think of them)

Great cars.

James2693

I kind of like that stilo until max power put me off straight away:D

I still really looking at this fiesta still http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1356178 It has no nct though thats the problem

Ive been looking at escorts too and they seem to be priced well.

James2693

would it be awful expensive to insure a 1.4 mk3?

Eoin

You'll just need to ring up and find out. Forget about the online quotes too. It's close to impossible for anyone here to give you a definitive answer.