Advice on what first car to buy.

Flynn · 20-08-2012 3:23pm #1

Hey guys.

I'm looking for a car in the €2500 - €3000 price range. 1.4 - 1.6, 03 - 05 (ish). It's kind of my first car ( i had a banger in Oz for a bit) I'm over 25 and have a full license so would hope insurance wouldn't be too much of an issue.

Would be looking for 4 doors as I gig a lot and would be horsing around equipment quite a bit... i think i would prefer a hactchback.. easier parking? I'm thinking a Golf or 306 or Focus so far.. are there any other models that would fall into that category i'm missing.. Have been told VW are better to drive. Is this true? Not really a car person so i'm fairly cluless to this.

Even though i'm over 25 and have a full license would the fact that it's my first car (in ireland) make it expensive?

Cheers.

Pdfile · 20-08-2012 3:26pm

well if your gigging solo or such ( amp/pa plus 2-3 guitars ) its more about getting an estate... then investing in a great loud alarm immob...

golf/passat estate diesel would do the ticket, if you can go up in insurance theirs alot of cheap volvos floating about ( keeping the rest of your budget for maintence and road tax )

if not go upto 1.6 and get a toyota carina/avensis... not as cool as the cars above but if your working hard you want something reliable...

when your a millionaire rockstar get something cool

Flynn · 20-08-2012 3:28pm

Haha cheers, not keen on an estate though, that's what i had in Oz, looking for something smaller. I gig solo so it's really not alot of equipment, it would all fit in an average boot or back seat (hence the 4 door and not the 2)

haulagebasher · 20-08-2012 4:03pm

For a first car with no NCB what you'd be best getting is a small hatchback. A 1.0 or 1.2L engine should be the biggest engine. Something like a Mk4 or 5 fiesta or a Corsa or a Mk1 or Mk2 punto would be ideal. Nice and handy and not too powerful will be easy for a new driver to control and will be OK insurance wise. Anything bigger than 1.3 and the insurers will laugh you out of the shop.

Flynn · 20-08-2012 4:10pm

Really even on a full license? Kind of wanted to go a bit bigger as will be doin alot of driving between galway & waterford. I guess i better do some insurance shopping first then, cheers.

goz83 · 20-08-2012 4:31pm

Its when you go above 1.4 that the insurance will start going up. There is feck all difference between a 1.2 and a 1.4 insurance wise (unless the car is a skanger clanger). A 1.4 Astra would be perfect. The 98-04 models. Reliable too.