First Car

Shanee.

Passed my theory test back in March, am 17 years old, 18 in July and just wondering what you guys would advise as a first car? Something small and easy to insure i would imagine..

Delancey

How about a Micra ? Seem to be plenty around.

robtri

fiesta is a nice starter, or a Fiat panda...

af_thefragile

Micra if you want to go for bottom of the pile dirt cheap.
Fiesta if you want something 'slightly' better handling.
Yaris if you're willing to pay more and are looking for reliable, low cost and good resale.


I think at your age these are the only sensible cars you can get for which the insurance people won't rip your bollocks off!

Panda is good too if you're looking for space and practicality...

Shanee.

Well yeah im insured since last october in my mothers yaris, which is working out at roughly 600 a year.. Don't really want a micra, too small and granny like.. :P

bazz26

What kind of money are you thinking of spending on a car?

166man

Definitely go for a 2001 VW Polo plenty around with the 1.0 litre engine. Also being a 'polo' it will have at least some street cred with your mates unlike the Micra...

Shanee.

Around 1-2k and then insurance upto 2k, so say around 3-4k?

bazz26

Have a look at something like a Fiesta 1.25 litre. Alot better and cheaper than the vastly overrated Polo.

For example:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201116202059610

biko

Shanee. wrote: »

Something small and easy to insure i would imagine..

Yup, something to practise in while you save up for a bigger car.
Plenty of small cars around and if you buy used with long NCT and bring someone to check the engine etc out before buying you should be ok.
A good thing about Micras is that they have a timing chain and are easy to fix small stuff in yourself. There's many around too if you need parts.
Easy to park and navigate traffic.
Go for the K11 model with power steering.
500 http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2055325
LOL http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2026994

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/nissan/micra-k11-1992/?section=bad

osiri

peugeot 10sex...

highlydebased

Micra or Fiesta.

Yaris if you want to look like a nun.

MrDerp

Don't get too bogged down in badges, and whether or not its a granny car. It's your first car and you're gonna love it cos its yours and represents your independence. Get something cheap to run and reliable, and that'll keep your affection for the thing.

My first car was was an Opel Corsa, I got it when I was 25 and I loved it. I look at them now thinking 'wtf I thought I was mad in that yoke', but it was great little car. I changed it after a year not long after I passed my test and that was the end of it.

Most people have a limited budget for their first car. Don't let a great starter car pass you by because something more desirable fits your budget.

Shanee.

Yeah i guess so, but having passed my full test and all i can see myself having this car for quite a while so might as well spend enough on it..

overshoot

when they are been mentioned-id say avoid the baseline polos (55bhp). there is absolutely no power in them and makes overtaking a effort. (though it does teach you how to get the best out of a car) the models with 65bhp (comfortline for the years you are looking at, all models start with this engine now) are decent enough in the grand scheme of things (but a long way better than thr baseline)

af_thefragile

If your insurance allows, look into getting a 1.4l car. It'll be much better to drive and overtake. But I'ld say at your age for a 1.4l car you're looking at insurance of around 2500eur. That's what I paid for my first insurance...

Alanstrainor

af_thefragile wrote: »

If your insurance allows, look into getting a 1.4l car. It'll be much better to drive and overtake. But I'ld say at your age for a 1.4l car you're looking at insurance of around 2500eur. That's what I paid for my first insurance...

It's not a straight forward as that. A 1.25 fiesta will have more go than a 1.4 focus. It all depends on what car you're talking about. Yeah maybe a puma would have a bit of go compared to a focus. But saying a 1.4 will be much better to overtake is just plain wrong.

166man

Yes but he is 17/18 he doesn't need a car that can overtake easily just something to get around in.

Zubeneschamali

166man wrote: »

Yes but he is 17/18 he doesn't need a car that can overtake easily

What about overtake safely?

An underpowered car is not a safer car.

166man

The polo can overtake just not easily and someone who just has their licence or provisional or is 17/18 overtaking isn't exactly advised! The polo has enough go in it, I'm sure

Raskolnikov

af_thefragile wrote: »

If your insurance allows, look into getting a 1.4l car. It'll be much better to drive and overtake. But I'ld say at your age for a 1.4l car you're looking at insurance of around 2500eur. That's what I paid for my first insurance...

Insurers don't go by the size of engine; they go by horsepower, make/model and age of the car. I drive a 63BHP, 1.9 litre diesel which doesn't have a turbo and is naturally aspirated. It's actually cheaper for me to insure than a Fiesta, Micra, or just about any other car even though the engine is nearly twice as big.

If you want a cheap insurance quote, ignore engine size and go by horsepower.

osiri

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

What about overtake safely?

An underpowered car is not a safer car.

The safety of an overtaking manoeuvre is not about having a powerful car, it depends on the drivers ability to judge a safe distance to overtake using whatever car he has.

If you have a less powerful car you will need more time etc so you need to factor this in, but a driver of a a powerful car could as easily underestimate the distance he needs as the driver of a less powerful car. It could even be the case that a someone drivng a more powerful car is over confident in their cars ability to overtake and as a result takes greater risks.

As a novice you might be better off starting in a less powerful car so as to appreciate the distances required for overtaking. As opposed to learning the ropes in a fast car and then one day having to drive a slower car and underestimating what is required.

datoriordanlad

go for a ford fiesta with a zetec engine. you need a car with good handling and good feel to the steering, because if you don't you're automatically at a disadvantage. also fords tend to have good clean gearchange unlike the likes of the vw polo which is a bit like stirring coal. a micra might be handy too. best of luck in learning to drive.