Trying to make my mind up...

Mr Benevolent

Last time I started a thread I was hellbound on buying a moped for transport, but some obvious objections have come to light:

1) I'll need a full licence eventually to get the insurance down,
2) The bus is not ideal transport for a lot of situations,
3) I like cars,
4) Parents might need driving around, new niece/nephew arriving in the world in about 8 hours,
5) I can afford it.

Thing is, there's a tradeoff in what car I buy. I'd like an auto as I'll be in traffic most of the time and it's better for paying attention to the road (before anyone asks, I'll be doing my test in a manual).

But do I go for something cheap & nasty or cheap & nice? Based on insurance the most I can afford is a Rover 75 diesel auto (€1750 per year). A Yaris would still cost €1300 to insure. Both of them will cost roughly the same to run assuming the Yaris is an auto.

But is a '75 too big for a learner driver? It's not overpowered by any means, and it's comfortable, has all the toys, leather etc for an extra €800 a year in tax and insurance.

Opinions? Other cars? Can't get insurance on any Mercs or BMWs for some reason, probably because they're RWD. I'm well aware of the auto vs manual debate btw, manuals don't interest me unless it's an M5.

Alanstrainor

I wouldn't be put off by a larger car tbh, i mean it will certainly take a bit of getting used to but it's nothing too major at all. I remember driving a Saab 9-5 estate in work, shortly after passing my test, and the first few minutes in it was a bit weird but after that it was grand.

Max Power1

Confab wrote: »

But is a '75 too big for a learner driver? It's not overpowered by any means, and it's comfortable, has all the toys, leather etc for an extra €800 a year in tax and insurance..

Not at all. I learned in a 75 (petrol though) and found it great.

Because its so big you develop better spatial awareness and positioning. The only thing I found with the 75 was that peripheral vision was difficult due to the pillars around the windows and windscreen, especially the rear window.

johnos1984

Max Power1 wrote: »

Because its so big you develop better spatial awareness and positioning.

I'll give a big plus one to that +1

I learned in a Toyota Avensis and then went on to buy an Opel Combo as my first car which had no power steering.

Some would say it was a pain for parking in Dublin but you quickly get used to the size and I could fit it in spaces that were very tight in the end.

In some ways I'd say your better off starting in a bigger car if you really want to become good at parking. Just take your time and get too know the size of the car.

Mr Benevolent

I'm actually surprised that people are agreeing with my car choice, some might say a first time provisional leaner in a big car might be a hindrance. Has anyone got any other car suggestions? Only have about €3000 to spend, ideally auto.

johnos1984

Confab wrote: »

I'm actually surprised that people are agreeing with my car choice, some might say a first time provisional leaner in a big car might be a hindrance. Has anyone got any other car suggestions? Only have about €3000 to spend, ideally auto.

If you want us to disagree and suggest something else thats auto

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1994476

challengemaster

I'd advise against learning in an auto, as when you do the test, you'll more likely do it in an auto car (I know what you said in the OP, but you might find it hard driving an auto all the time then going manual for the test) and then be restricted to driving only auto cars. If you only plan to ever drive autos, then fine....otherwise, once you have the full license from a test in a manual, work away and get an auto..

Mr Benevolent

johnos1984 wrote: »

If you want us to disagree and suggest something else thats auto

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1994476

Arggh! I take it back!

I don't know why you want an auto, the comment about them being better to paying attention to the road is not true I reckon. In a manual around town in heavy traffic you won't be leaving 2nd and can floor the clutch instead of going for neutral. In an auto unless you have no mechanical sympathy you'll be knocking it into auto instead of holding it on the brakes when stopped. The ZT is an auto and I love it so I'm far from an auto hater but I do think you are really overestimating gearchanging. It is 2nd nature, and if you intend doing your test in a manual I would not be buying an auto until that test is passed

At a guess I reckon you won't be doing 10,000 miles a year so I don't know why you are considering an auto diesel 75, you'll pay a premium to get one and you simply don't need it.

If I was you I'd buy Unkle's 1.8 75 off him
(don't know him from adam but I reckon it's a good buy, well looked after by a proper car enthusiast and it's for small money)

A 75 isn't that big a car anyway, my first car was a 1990 Rover 400 which wouldn't be much smaller than a 75.

Mr Benevolent

RoverJames wrote: »

I don't know why you want an auto, the comment about them being better to paying attention to the road is not true I reckon. In a manual around town in heavy traffic you won't be leaving 2nd and can floor the clutch instead of going for neutral. In an auto unless you have no mechanical sympathy you'll be knocking it into auto instead of holding it on the brakes when stopped. The ZT is an auto and I love it so I'm far from an auto hater but I do think you are really overestimating gearchanging. It is 2nd nature, and if you intend doing your test in a manual I would not be buying an auto until that test is passed

Ok, when I said traffic I meant suburban with some longer runs and even longer runs in the summer every week. Very little bumper to bumper city centre stuff. I've nothing against manuals really, I just think they should be limited to cars that reward manual gear changes (MX-5 comes to mind). And I f*cking hate clutches.

fonecrusher1

I nearly bought a yaris as my first car many years ago. Nearly.;)

Yes they're a good little car but it is a little car at the end of the day & i was advised i would get very tired of the cramped interior very quickly. I went for a slightly bigger nissan almera in the end. Good car if a bit of a snail on the open road & atrocious at overtaking.
I'd go for the 75 in a shot over the wee toyota.

Oh & as everyone is saying, forget about this obsession with an auto gearbox. Seriously you'd be better off starting with a manual.

Mr Benevolent

Just to update this thread after getting some real driving experience - I'm still considering a Rover 75. I've had my fill of crap cars with the Corsa. Auto or manual doesn't matter so much anymore, but diesel does. V6/1.8T is out the window until I get a few year's NCB. My driving test is coming up in a few weeks so hopefully my insurance will come down.

Are they really as good as everyone says?

challengemaster

A 75 with the BMW diesel engine is about as reliable as you can get.

If you go looking for one I have a checklist sort of thing that might be worth a read

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

If you go looking for one I have a checklist sort of thing that might be worth a read

Could you send that on to me James.

Twould be worth a read

colm_mcm

Can you forward that list to me rj?

Mr Benevolent

RoverJames wrote: »

If you go looking for one I have a checklist sort of thing that might be worth a read

That'd be great.

RoverJames

RoverJames wrote: »

If you go looking for one I have a checklist sort of thing that might be worth a read

johnos1984 wrote: »

Could you send that on to me James.

Twould be worth a read

colm_mcm wrote: »

Can you forward that list to me rj?

Confab wrote: »

That'd be great.

Was only joking
Ye'll never get my Rover 75 tips off me :pac:

Na na na na naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!

Voodoomelon

Would you get insured on a 520i?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-MANU/201132203810476/advert?channel=CARS

I know its manual but hey its within budget.

Confab

Confab wrote: »

........... but diesel does. .............

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Would you get insured on a 520i?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520-MANU/201132203810476/advert?channel=CARS

I know its manual but hey its within budget.

Needs to be daysul

Berberie

Surprised you're not having probs with insurance for the Rover 75. I had a 45 (which I loved, most comfy and pretty car ever lol can you tell I'm a girl) and even though I'm not classified as a 'young' driver ie being over the age of 30, I could never seem to get a real deal on the rover, was told by insurance companies that it was seen as high spec and thats why they charged more!

Drive a Seat Ibiza st special edition now, 1.2d and it's only 104 in tax for the year............ but I miss my Rover! If you decide to go with the 75 just be ready for all the jokes...... ie what boils faster than a kettle etc. Good luck whatever you decide and enjoy your car, have to say though I don't think I could get used to an automatic I love my clutch too much.

^^^^^

I'm in love

Mine is only €300 to insure btw.

unkel

Rover 75 with the 1.8l K-series petrol is one of the most reliable cars out there - in my experience

Have it well over 5 years now (it's nearly 11 years old) and it only set me back a €78 airbag sensor (that's the price of the part plus fitting from the (former) main dealer, although at some point even they diagnosed the car with HGF :rolleyes:

A good few hours on the internet and and a wee gamble ordering a €10 part and fitting it myself in a few minutes and the car was as good as new again. And most regulars here know I'm far, far removed from being mechanically minded or experienced

Probably the most comfortable car in class too. Interior is not the best built though to put it mildly and in fairness it is a bit of an old mans car - sorry all you young folk out there. /lights pipe

no1beemerfan

If you are going for a 75 get the pre facelift one. As well as being nicer looking outside its actually the better built with proper parts too because the facelift was built as Rover were going down the pan so cost cutting was introduced.

Mr Benevolent

I'll be going for the pre-facelift alright. Insurance on the 75 shouldn't be anymore than I'm paying now, i.e, about €1500 once I get my licence, and I'm 32 with virtually no NCB. Unfortunately my budget has gone down, and €2000 is the max I'll be able to afford. There's one diesel auto around for €2k but it's a crappy spec (cloth seats etc). Looks like I'm going to have to save more!

no1beemerfan

Is it a corsa you are driving at the moment? Any problems with it? If not why not drive it for another while and save more towards a decent 75?

Mr Benevolent

no1beemerfan wrote: »

Is it a corsa you are driving at the moment? Any problems with it? If not why not drive it for another while and save more towards a decent 75?

Yep, looks like it's Corsa purgatory for another 6 months. Oh well, it's better than public transport.

no1beemerfan

When it comes to buying a car don't let your heart have last say. Always be sensible and have a think through things. I think you are doing right by not going out and buying the first 75 just because it fits within your current budget. Drive the corsa another while and save for a fully kitted 75.