Buying first car

MungBean

Have decided its high time I had myself some transportation. I'm a 27 year old man and as of this moment not yet done my theory test.

I wanna know the type of car I should be looking out for and a good price to buy at incase I happen on a deal while I wait to do the test (havent applied yet but I'll do it on the morrow).

I just want something small, 1.1 or whatever doesnt matter. Small, comfortable and affordable. I'm not interested in anything other than getting from A to B without the wheels fallin off, having said that I'd rather something that doesnt resemble a spud. I like the look of the Peugeot 306/307 but I dont have my heart set on anything.

Budget is 2k including insurance and tax and all else so I'm not sure where I stand as I dont know what the insurance would be or what car I'd be gettin. Any help would be much appreciated.

Alanstrainor

Get your test first, you'll have to do 12 lessons at least and wait 6 months before being able to sit the test when you get you're Learner Permit.

Having a car, and the expense that goes with it when you're not going to be able to drive is probably not the best thing in the world.

MungBean

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Get your test first, you'll have to do 12 lessons at least and wait 6 months before being able to sit the test when you get you're Learner Permit.

Having a car, and the expense that goes with it when you're not going to be able to drive is probably not the best thing in the world.

Wouldnt it be better to be driving in that 6 months I'm waiting ? I know people who drove for years as learners and failed the test a few times. Not sure the lessons alone would prepare me to pass the test. Plus if a sweet deal came my way in the meantime I should buy right ? Rather than wait and maybe have to fork out extra when I have to buy.

Alanstrainor

Skunkle wrote: »

Wouldnt it be better to be driving in that 6 months I'm waiting ? I know people who drove for years as learners and failed the test a few times. Not sure the lessons alone would prepare me to pass the test. Plus if a sweet deal came my way in the meantime I should buy right ? Rather than wait and maybe have to fork out extra when I have to buy.

I wouldn't worry about missing any "deals", it's just not something that's going to make that much of a difference if i'm honest.

At the start, you're not going to be able to drive the car at all, and even when you get to a stage where you can, you're going to have to have someone beside you the whole time who has had a full unrestricted B license for 2 years.

MungBean

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about missing any "deals", it's just not something that's going to make that much of a difference if i'm honest.

Could save myself a fair few quid if I buy a car at a good price though which would make a difference.

At the start, you're not going to be able to drive the car at all, and even when you get to a stage where you can, you're going to have to have someone beside you the whole time who has had a full unrestricted B license for 2 years.

Well I can drive now, I wouldnt be confident on the road or know everything but I can get in a car and move, so as soon as I get the provisional I'm on the road. I know technically you need someone with a full licence with you all the time but realistically thats not something that stops the vast majority of provisional drivers.

Soon as I am in possession of a car and a provisional licence I am road worthy and will be on the road. I know what your saying about waiting for the test and being limited without a full licence but even if I only got on the road a few times a week with a licensed passenger it would be of huge help in gaining the confidence to pass the test. Should I fail the test which a lot of people do then I'm gonna be waiting a long time to get on the road.

TestTransmission

Skunkle wrote: »

Soon as I am in possession of a car and a provisional licence I am road worthy and will be on the road.

It's called a learners permit btw

MungBean

TestTransmission wrote: »

It's called a learners permit btw

Thank you I had no idea :rolleyes:

TestTransmission

Skunkle wrote: »

Thank you I had no idea :rolleyes:

Nothing to be ashamed of fella, we all learn from our mistakes.

MungBean

TestTransmission wrote: »

Nothing to be ashamed of fella, we all learn from our mistakes.

Perhaps you could keep on topic and address the questions asked in the OP rather than trying to be clever, because thats not really workin out for ya there.

Littlehorny

my advice to you is steer clear of french cars mate, peugeot citroen or renault do not age well considering your budget and parts tend to be dearer in these cars. seen too many problems with these cars to wish them on any new driver.

MungBean

Littlehorny wrote: »

my advice to you is steer clear of french cars mate, peugeot citroen or renault do not age well considering your budget and parts tend to be dearer in these cars. seen too many problems with these cars to wish them on any new driver.

Is there any particular makes that are known for reliability in older cars and cheap parts ?

DaleB91

From a mechanics perspective I'd advise you to steer clear of European cars, Anyone I know thats buying a car I always advice Honda or Toyota! They really are bullet proof engines! 1.4 civics are one of the thirstiest cars I ever drove, Its your first car so I'd say maybe a Yaris, Starlet, Honda Jazz if your budget allows. The Starlet is a high risk car because 17year olds like crashing them. A yaris is a perfect car for what your looking for plus you know they werent dogged because its more of a mature drivers car, which also means it will have lower mileage, more service history and be better maintained all round. They get you from A-B, cheap insurance, cheap tax, cheap on petrol. If you do plan on going the European route stay away from 1.4 golfs, 1.4 boras, ALL FIATS, ALL SKODAS, but a Seat Ibiza or Leon are great cars also. Hope this helps

TestTransmission

Skunkle wrote: »

Perhaps you could keep on topic and address the questions asked in the OP rather than trying to be clever, because thats not really workin out for ya there.

Nothing clever about my post, just trying to help ya out.I'd suggest a fiesta 1.25 zetec btw.

MungBean

Whats the deal with the Ford Ka ? See a lot of them on Done Deal for cheap. Is it a piece of crap or just unpopular ?

DaleB91

Mother had one years ago when i was an infant, there.... ok i guess. Tiny inside, wouldnt like be in one if you had a serious crash and kinda more a girls car but thats just my view

Compton

00 ish ford fiesta 1.25 look no further.. or a micra these are the only decent cars in your budget

colm_mcm

Kas are rusty teapots

MungBean

Should I stay away from automatic transmissions or does it matter ?

Compton

if you do the test in an auto then your license will be restricted to auto only, best to do it in a manual.

MungBean

shblob wrote: »

if you do the test in an auto then your license will be restricted to auto only, best to do it in a manual.

Thanks for the info. Automatics more problematic than manual or does it just boil down to preference ?

Compton

it really depends on what box is in the car.. some are known to be worse than others.. Manual has better fuel consumption and faster but if you want comfort and not bothered to change gears auto is fine..

MungBean

Seen a Colt advertised for sale near here, dont know the particulars about it possibly 1.3 but are they included in the decent cars category for a first time buy on a low budget ? Or are they like the civics, knows petrol guzzlers ?