First Time Buyer

Ahoyhoy

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a used car. I've never owned a car before but it looks like I'm going to need one for work. I saw the guide to buying second hand cars and it was extremely helpful. What I was wondering is if anyone has any recommendations of a make and model for a first time buyer? I don't have my full license yet because I haven't been able to get round to it but I've been driving for almost two years now so I think it's unlikely that I'll be looking at wrecking a gear box in the first few months.

I'm keen to get a car that has a low road tax, small diesel engine but that is spacious as I might be making long journeys with equipment. I'd quite like a model with a good reputation for responding well to maintenance and that will be easy enough to find parts for should the need arise. I've heard all sorts of things about certain makes like Opels are really easy to break into, Fiats get loads of problems etc. So basically I have an idea of what I'm looking for but I'm not sure if that's wildly inaccurate!

I'm leaning towards a VW Golf or a Peugeot 206 or 306 but I wanted to see if anyone has any advice. It would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Alanstrainor

It'll all come down to the money money money!
Budget??

jamesr123

Maybe nissan micra? ford fiesta? they are nice little cars and would be cheap on the insurance aswell

dharn

in my opinion stick with ford, vw ,any of the japenese makes, 1 litre engine ,wont go too far wrong

Alanstrainor

dharn wrote: »

in my opinion stick with ford, vw ,any of the japenese makes, 1 litre engine ,wont go too far wrong

Typical pub talk bullcrap.

ottostreet

Need to know budget so we know what cars are available to us!

Ahoyhoy

Oh yeah sorry! I reckon about 3,000 - 4,000 at the very maximum. Something more in the range of 2,000-2,500 would be much better but I'm not sure if that's realistic. Also I want to stay well away from the Fiestas, they're just too damn small, nowhere near enough space in the car for me.

Thanks for all the advice so far though!

lalababa

the hyundai getz is good and probally big enough. a 04 for 2500? or the upgraded 06 on from 4200 ish. Not much is shifting these days so you could get up to 20% discount from garage esp. without a trade in.

PARKHEAD67

Ahoyhoy wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a used car. I've never owned a car before but it looks like I'm going to need one for work. I saw the guide to buying second hand cars and it was extremely helpful. What I was wondering is if anyone has any recommendations of a make and model for a first time buyer? I don't have my full license yet because I haven't been able to get round to it but I've been driving for almost two years now so I think it's unlikely that I'll be looking at wrecking a gear box in the first few months.

I'm keen to get a car that has a low road tax, small diesel engine but that is spacious as I might be making long journeys with equipment. I'd quite like a model with a good reputation for responding well to maintenance and that will be easy enough to find parts for should the need arise. I've heard all sorts of things about certain makes like Opels are really easy to break into, Fiats get loads of problems etc. So basically I have an idea of what I'm looking for but I'm not sure if that's wildly inaccurate!

I'm leaning towards a VW Golf or a Peugeot 206 or 306 but I wanted to see if anyone has any advice. It would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Golf diesels are a 1.9 min. TDI in those years(for 4grand) as far as Im aware so tax would be circa 600 per year. Petrols are 1.4 alright but are ****e.

PARKHEAD67

Ahoyhoy wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a used car. I've never owned a car before but it looks like I'm going to need one for work. I saw the guide to buying second hand cars and it was extremely helpful. What I was wondering is if anyone has any recommendations of a make and model for a first time buyer? I don't have my full license yet because I haven't been able to get round to it but I've been driving for almost two years now so I think it's unlikely that I'll be looking at wrecking a gear box in the first few months.

I'm keen to get a car that has a low road tax, small diesel engine but that is spacious as I might be making long journeys with equipment. I'd quite like a model with a good reputation for responding well to maintenance and that will be easy enough to find parts for should the need arise. I've heard all sorts of things about certain makes like Opels are really easy to break into, Fiats get loads of problems etc. So basically I have an idea of what I'm looking for but I'm not sure if that's wildly inaccurate!

I'm leaning towards a VW Golf or a Peugeot 206 or 306 but I wanted to see if anyone has any advice. It would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Do Not Touch Peugeot.IMO.;)

barura

First time buying a car? The first car I got was a VW Polo last year, it's a 97 and its pretty damn good for 400euro. Then again, seeing as you have money, you could splash out on something a little nicer. Watch out though!; there are people who will tell you get a 1litre for tax or get diesel for the "economy" that comes with it. The reason why I got my car was because it suited me, not what other people have told me to get. If that was the case, I'd have ended up with a yaris that cost 2000-3000eur because its easy to look out of, power steering, etc etc, but those things didn't matter to me and even if I went that way, I'd be stuck in the middle of a loan right now! It helped that I have been around cars and am mechanically inclined, but taking into account that you're asking here, I figure this is the best advice to give:

1: Ask a friend you know won't mess you over to check out the cars with you.
2: Don't be afraid to haggle, it's something they want to sell and you want to buy, if they don't budge on the price and you feel like you're paying too much, just walk away!
3: If buying from a dealership, be sure to get a warranty with it.
4: The insurance difference between a 1litre and 1.4/1.6 is VERY noticable on a provisional licence.
5: Hatchbacks are nice for reversing.
6: This site: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ is a fantastic place to check on problems with second hand cars. Be sure to read the good and bad points for a car you have your eye on, it also has stuff to look out for when you're buying it.
7: Patience! If you like a car that there are many bad examples of, you will eventually find one that is clean!
8: Ask the owner to bring you for a spin and check out how they drive, do they clutch well, do they rev the car high, do they skip a gear to hid that its crunchy?
9: Timing belt and water pump are good things to check for as if they go, the car goes.
10: Just talk to the person you're buying it off of, you can learn so much if they cared for their car. Or in the case of buying a car that their parents maintained (lots of college heads leaving the country!), talk to their parents!

I've ran out of things but hopefully you get my point. I've been a fan of the newer style renault berlingos for some reason, but thats me!

And good luck!!

Ahoyhoy

barura wrote: »

First time buying a car? The first car I got was a VW Polo last year, it's a 97 and its pretty damn good for 400euro. Then again, seeing as you have money, you could splash out on something a little nicer. Watch out though!; there are people who will tell you get a 1litre for tax or get diesel for the "economy" that comes with it. The reason why I got ...erlingos for some reason, but thats me!

And good luck!!

That's all actually brilliant advice! Thanks a million!