Cheapest car to insure, tax, buy and run?

Daniel S

Heard from a few people that it's the old Renault Clio, but are there any others?

Looking at getting my first car to learn how to drive in it (and keep for the near future).

carolmarx

I have a Yaris and can't beat it really. Aside from being cheap enough to tax ensure and run they're as reliable as anything and parts are inexpensive in comparison to alot of others.

Del2005

Daniel S wrote: »

Heard from a few people that it's the old Renault Clio, but are there any others?

Your looking for a cheap reliable car and someone directed you to a Clio:eek::eek: They are half right in that you can buy one cheap.

Daniel S wrote: »

Looking at getting my first car to learn how to drive in it (and keep for the near future).

Can't go to far wrong with any of the 1l Japanese or German cars. But be careful buying and make sure that someone competent looks it over before handing over any of your money, since your buying in the learner/Granny bracket the cars could have had a hard life.

Mycroft H

Del2005 wrote: »

Daniel S wrote: »

Heard from a few people that it's the old Renault Clio, but are there any others?

Your looking for a cheap reliable car and someone directed you to a Clio:eek::eek: They are half right in that you can buy one cheap.

Daniel S wrote: »

Looking at getting my first car to learn how to drive in it (and keep for the near future).

Can't go to far wrong with any of the 1l Japanese or German cars. But be careful buying and make sure that someone competent looks it over before handing over any of your money, since your buying in the learner/Granny bracket the cars could have had a hard life.

Nothing wrong with the mark one Clio. Sure the sunroof leaks but it's as reliable as anything else out there. They were the cheapest car in its class insurance wise for me. Have you ever even driven one?

Wishbone Ash

Del2005 wrote: »

Your looking for a cheap reliable car and someone directed you to a Clio:eek::eek:

+1

Even the Renault dealers are reluctant to take them as trade-ins!

Small Japanese are probably your best bet (if you're not 'into' cars) for tax, insurance and reliability costs but they may not be that cheap to buy as there is demand for them.

Wishbone Ash

BX 19 wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the mark one Clio

Didn't they come out about 1991 - a bit old for a learner now.

Daniel S

Mam has an '01 Yaris in wine red but that's just too much of a girls car, although it's bulletproof! A clio would be borderline :pac:. Didn't know they were that crap.

If only I could get an e30 325i...

Del2005

BX 19 wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the mark one Clio. Sure the sunroof leaks but it's as reliable as anything else out there. They were the cheapest car in its class insurance wise for me.

A leaking roof means the car isn't reliable. I know all manufactures make bad cars but some made a lot more than others.

BX 19 wrote: »

Have you ever even driven one?

No. Why? Does it make them more reliable if I did.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Didn't they come out about 1991 - a bit old for a learner now.

90 in France 91-98 from Parkers.co.uk here and UK, BX 19 read the review.

carleigh

I'm currently looking for my first car (I'm learning since the middle of Feb). I have lessons in the instructors car (Colt), and practise in my dads Focus estate. I was discussing suitable options with my instructor yesterday, and told him I had my heart set on a Clio, and he told me to stay well clear, and not to get a 206 either. He said a Yaris, Polo or Fiesta would be the best, so its back to the drawing board, and back to saving, the ones he mentioned are a bit more expensive than the Clio

Daniel S

carleigh wrote: »

I'm currently looking for my first car (I'm learning since the middle of Feb). I have lessons in the instructors car (Colt), and practise in my dads Focus estate. I was discussing suitable options with my instructor yesterday, and told him I had my heart set on a Clio, and he told me to stay well clear, and not to get a 206 either. He said a Yaris, Polo or Fiesta would be the best, so its back to the drawing board, and back to saving, the ones he mentioned are a bit more expensive than the Clio

Damn, I was looking at a few 206's. Guess it's gonna be mam's Yaris...

woodchuck

What about a micra?

I got one last summer to learn how to drive on as it was recommended by a few people. It’s <1litre engine, so it’s in the cheapest tax bracket and I think that may have brought the insurance down too. It's old too, so it wasn't particularly expensive to buy. There are a lot of old micras on the road, so they definitely stand the test of time! I'll be keeping mine for the foreseeable future.

People generally seem to think that micras are crap, but my OH and instructor (who both are used to bigger cars and engines) have both described it as 'a great little run around’ and ‘surprisingly nippy’. I’ve had no problems with it anyway!

I know sweet f-all about cars btw, but I like my own

Daniel S

woodchuck wrote: »

What about a micra?

I probably should mention that I'm big into cars, member of a motorsport club and am currently building a Formula Student car.

It's starting to look like mam's yaris is the cheapest option as I'll be able to get that for free. It's the 2001 998cc Wine red yaris with reasonable alloys. Is there anything I could do to it to make it less girly, don't think I could take the stick from the lads!

spurious

woodchuck wrote: »

What about a micra?

I got one last summer to learn how to drive on as it was recommended by a few people. It’s <1litre engine, so it’s in the cheapest tax bracket and I think that may have brought the insurance down too. It's old too, so it wasn't particularly expensive to buy. There are a lot of old micras on the road, so they definitely stand the test of time! I'll be keeping mine for the foreseeable future.

People generally seem to think that micras are crap, but my OH and instructor (who both are used to bigger cars and engines) have both described it as 'a great little run around’ and ‘surprisingly nippy’. I’ve had no problems with it anyway!

I know sweet f-all about cars btw, but I like my own

Micras go forever on a sniff of petrol and take fierce abuse. They are like the car version of a Honda 50.
I'd say get a cheap Micra, save your money for when you pass the test, get a couple of years driving experience (and insurance years) and put the money saved towards your e30 325i.

Daniel S

spurious wrote: »

Micras go forever on a sniff of petrol and take fierce abuse. They are like the car version of a Honda 50.
I'd say get a cheap Micra, save your money for when you pass the test, get a couple of years driving experience (and insurance years) and put the money saved towards your e30 325i.

Your mixing up me with him :P

Oracle

spurious wrote: »

Micras go forever on a sniff of petrol and take fierce abuse. They are like the car version of a Honda 50.
I'd say get a cheap Micra, save your money for when you pass the test, get a couple of years driving experience (and insurance years) and put the money saved towards your e30 325i.

Yeah I'd agree, my 97 Micra is still going strong. Rarely needs maintenance and always starts. Micra is the perfect first car.

Alanstrainor

Daniel S wrote: »

I probably should mention that I'm big into cars, member of a motorsport club and am currently building a Formula Student car.

It's starting to look like mam's yaris is the cheapest option as I'll be able to get that for free. It's the 2001 998cc Wine red yaris with reasonable alloys. Is there anything I could do to it to make it less girly, don't think I could take the stick from the lads!

Good choice.

And no...there's nothing you can do to it! Save your pennies for a proper car in 2 years!

Del2005

Daniel S wrote: »

It's starting to look like mam's yaris is the cheapest option as I'll be able to get that for free. It's the 2001 998cc Wine red yaris with reasonable alloys. Is there anything I could do to it to make it less girly, don't think I could take the stick from the lads!

Tell them to walk if they don't like it:D

Though if you stick a bean can onto the exhaust:cool:, a couple of M badges and Turbo sticker:cool::cool: somewhere they'd never know it was only a bog standard Yaris

Daniel S

Del2005 wrote: »

Tell them to walk if they don't like it:D

Though if you stick a bean can onto the exhaust:cool:, a couple of M badges and Turbo sticker:cool::cool: somewhere they'd never know it was only a bog standard Yaris

I've a few "S50 inside" stickers and a cordless drill for the exhaust waiting now. Loads of carbon vinyl wrap too! :pac:

Mycroft H

Del2005 wrote: »

A leaking roof means the car isn't reliable. I know all manufactures make bad cars but some made a lot more than others.




No. Why? Does it make them more reliable if I did.


90 in France 91-98 from Parkers.co.uk here and UK, BX 19 read the review.

A leaking roof makes a car unreliable? Bollocks. Its an easy fix. You come across as the sort of person that runs away from a car once they have heard of any sort of small problem, writing them off as unreliable. Classic pub talk that all french cars are crap and the only car worth driving is the carina :rolleyes:

Engines are simple, well proven designs. The 1.2 and 1.4 energy units are quite reliable. Nothing major goes wrong with them more then any other car of that era. I would certainly take one over any 106/Corsa or many other superminis over the day.

The 1.2 is also known to return over 50mpg on extra urban runs with the 1.4 being a little less economical (I get around 44mpg).

The car is a good bit bigger then most others with plenty of room in the back and has a decent boot too, something people neglect.

It holds the road excellently compared to corsas/starlets and micras (all of which I've driven, more then your unsubstantiated opinion), stable in corners with minimal roll. All very predictable which is an excellent trait in a car. Your standard starlet wallows like a boat in the corners compared to it.

Ohhh, its also worth noting that the K11 Micra came out in 1992 aswell. So its really similar tech. Technology did not advance hugely between 1990-1995, so thats really a moot point. (Crash safety really did not change much either, if thats what people are implying)


And Parkers? Not really the best resource. Most cars are crap according to it. I only tend to use it for facts and figures. The same can be said about honest john too.


Back to the OPs question.

Clio are fine. If you find one thats clean and looked after at the right price, go for it.

I'd also look at

Starlets (good engine in them)
106/Saxo (Nippy little car, prepare for insurance loading on them though..)

Del2005

BX 19 wrote: »

A leaking roof makes a car unreliable? Bollocks. Its an easy fix. You come across as the sort of person that runs away from a car once they have heard of any sort of small problem, writing them off as unreliable. Classic pub talk that all french cars are crap and the only car worth driving is the carina :rolleyes:

You've no idea what I do or what I have owned , yet you make these assumptions about my knowledge of cars.

Doesn't bother me what you think but I wouldn't buy a Renault again, even after several years of trouble free ownership, or advise anyone to buy one.

DazMarz

Your first car should be a car that you do not care too much about. It should be a car that you will not/do not fall in love with. It should be a car that if you open the door and it slams into a wall, you should just get out, say "f*ck off, wall!", and continue on about your day with n'ary a care.

Learning to drive in a gorgeous piece of kit would be a mistake.

I learned to drive in a Toyota Corolla hatchback. Reliable, cheap to run, excellent in getting from A to B and ocassionally C. I kept it for about 15 months after I passed my driving test just to make sure that if I got into any minor prangs (I did) that I wouldn't be messing up a beauty of a car.

I hear friends of mine who have never been behind the wheel of a car waxing lyrical about getting things like Mini-Coopers, Range Rovers, Mercedes, BMW's, etc. to learn in, and I'm just shaking my head and laughing. For learning to drive, you want a terribly un-sexy, 1L, low-emissions number that is cheap to buy and run. Toyota Starlet/Yaris, Nissan Micra, Volkswagen Gold/Lupo, etc. These are what you want for the time being.

D_D

What about a Polo? I have a MKII 2001 1L Polo and is a great car to learn in...

hattoncracker

Im learning in a Polo.. 1.4, 99... Tax is €300 odd for d year, and it doesn't really give out too much if I conk it out or get stuck in neutral... It was my mums old car, and my sister learned to drive in it, and my mum would never sell it, never an ounce of bother with it!

I love my little silver bullet!!

Alanstrainor

I think the thing that people need to realise, is that even with a free car, running any car for a year is going to be expensive business. Especially for a learner driver. 1500+ in insurance, ~400 tax, + petrol could see you over 4000 a year in no time.

gillapino

i'd definatly recommend a citroen saxo ! have mine for nearly a year and have had no problems ! its a 99 and 1.1 and really easy on petrol

SJPK

hey, i was under the impression that i'd have to stick with a small-medium (1.0-1.4) sized car for a first car, and i wasnt too bothered with the idea as anything is better than nothing! however it turns out that it is actually cheaper for me to insure and tax a 1.9 TDI bora/passat/octavia etc - 2.0TD avensis, than it is to even insure a smaller engined corsa, corolla, even a yaris when i turn 18.....

i mean... WTF??

notice the red DI and DAYSUL cars in general :P

Daniel S

SJPK wrote: »

hey, i was under the impression that i'd have to stick with a small-medium (1.0-1.4) sized car for a first car, and i wasnt too bothered with the idea as anything is better than nothing! however it turns out that it is actually cheaper for me to insure and tax a 1.9 TDI bora/passat/octavia etc - 2.0TD avensis, than it is to even insure a smaller engined corsa, corolla, even a yaris when i turn 18.....

i mean... WTF??

notice the red DI and DAYSUL cars in general :P

Toledo's go...


BOOOOOOOO!!!

Followed by lots of schmoke!!!

SJPK

hon the dayshuls!!

mr tatz

carleigh wrote: »

I'm currently looking for my first car (I'm learning since the middle of Feb). I have lessons in the instructors car (Colt), and practise in my dads Focus estate. I was discussing suitable options with my instructor yesterday, and told him I had my heart set on a Clio, and he told me to stay well clear, and not to get a 206 either. He said a Yaris, Polo or Fiesta would be the best, so its back to the drawing board, and back to saving, the ones he mentioned are a bit more expensive than the Clio

The colt is a good reliable car and cheap enough too. Low tax, low insurance on the small engines etc. plus you have experience driving one. Just a suggestion.

Alanstrainor

mr tatz wrote: »

The colt is a good reliable car and cheap enough too. Low tax, low insurance on the small engines etc. plus you have experience driving one. Just a suggestion.

Those older colts have a bit of a bad reputation and as a result are terribly difficult to insure, just make sure you get a quote you're happy with before buying anything.

mr tatz

Alanstrainor wrote: »

mr tatz wrote: »

The colt is a good reliable car and cheap enough too. Low tax, low insurance on the small engines etc. plus you have experience driving one. Just a suggestion.

Those older colts have a bit of a bad reputation and as a result are terribly difficult to insure, just make sure you get a quote you're happy with before buying anything.

Good point but as long as its not modified the stigma slackens quite a bit. My mate got quoted quite reasonably on one as his first car about 4 years ago. It was completely stock.

Alanstrainor

mr tatz wrote: »

Good point but as long as its not modified the stigma slackens quite a bit. My mate got quoted quite reasonably on one as his first car about 4 years ago. It was completely stock.

The point being, always get a quote in writing before buying the car. You might be disappointed otherwise!

DRose1

SJPK wrote: »

hey, i was under the impression that i'd have to stick with a small-medium (1.0-1.4) sized car for a first car, and i wasnt too bothered with the idea as anything is better than nothing! however it turns out that it is actually cheaper for me to insure and tax a 1.9 TDI bora/passat/octavia etc - 2.0TD avensis, than it is to even insure a smaller engined corsa, corolla, even a yaris when i turn 18.....

i mean... WTF??

notice the red DI and DAYSUL cars in general :P

What insurance company/s is that with?

Like many others, I have been advised to go for something 1.4 or less. However, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a half decent 1.9 TDI if possible...

challengemaster

Daniel S wrote: »

I probably should mention that I'm big into cars, member of a motorsport club and am currently building a Formula Student car.

It's starting to look like mam's yaris is the cheapest option as I'll be able to get that for free. It's the 2001 998cc Wine red yaris with reasonable alloys. Is there anything I could do to it to make it less girly, don't think I could take the stick from the lads!

Matters not a bit. Unfortunately the way things are over here, learner drivers are limited to what they can drive, so it really doesn't matter what you or anyone else is into, everyone starts in give or take the same place. Obvious exceptions apply (extremely rich feckers)

Yaris is as good a starting car as any

Daniel S

challengemaster wrote: »

Matters not a bit. Unfortunately the way things are over here, learner drivers are limited to what they can drive, so it really doesn't matter what you or anyone else is into, everyone starts in give or take the same place. Obvious exceptions apply (extremely rich feckers)

Yaris is as good a starting car as any

I know the yaris is a good starting car, but I'd rather get something else. As for all people starting in a ****e car, one of my friends learned in a Polo with a 1.8 gti engine in it.

kay 9

A rover 25 maybe;)

SJPK

DRose1 wrote: »

What insurance company/s is that with?

Like many others, I have been advised to go for something 1.4 or less. However, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a half decent 1.9 TDI if possible...

ah but sure if i go telling everyone and everyone starts buyin they'll put the price up.... only messin, the company was a place called 'pat britton insurance' and there was another two that were much the same!

Nephilim Wolf

Daniel S wrote: »

Damn, I was looking at a few 206's. Guess it's gonna be mam's Yaris...

He or she is dead right. I had a 96 Polo for my first car, and it was a fantastic little car, and super reliable. I only had few niggly things with it, like getting the headlights adjusted correctly for the nct and some other very small things. The only things I didn't like was no power steering, no abs brakes and getting to 60mph was quite slow, but other than that it was an excellent little car. I'd imagine the new Polo's are just as reliable. Micra's are also excellent cars.