Good Learner Car

tom.da.lad

Ok guys, i just passed the theory test and got the provisional, and im looking for a car. Im not looking for an aul ****banger of a yoke tho, something nice that will be somewhat goot on petrol and not break the bank with insurance. any ideas would be greatly appriciated.

Oh, and my budget is 1 grand

BUBBLE WRAP

tom.da.lad wrote: »

Ok guys, i just passed the theory test and got the provisional, and im looking for a car. Im not looking for an aul ****banger of a yoke tho, something nice that will be somewhat goot on petrol and not break the bank with insurance. any ideas would be greatly appriciated.

Oh, and my budget is 1 grand

The best stater car is a nice 1l or 1.2l at the most. I don't really see why you would spend a grand on a first car, that will get tipped and scratched, (speaking from experience). Any car at all in mind? Also 1k for car and insurance or 1k for the car alone?

Atlantis50

Within your price range, these are the ones I'd reccommend based on my own research and what friends etc. have driven as their 1st cars:

Corolla hatch 98 - 01 model.

Yaris pre-2002.

Fiesta 99 - 02 model.

Seat Ibiza 99 - 02 model.

Have a look on DoneDeal and Carzone.

These sites have good reviews of all cars released over the past 15 or so years:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/cartestreports/index.jsp

http://www.whatcar.com/

StompToWork

Mk1 Focus. 1.4 Zetec is a great engine, goes forever. Solid, safe, reliable, and pretty easy on the go-go juice. Plus, looks a helluvalot cooler than the Mk2 or 3, IMHO. 'specially the 3 door!

areyawell

Fiat Puntos, anything from 02 up are reliable and are pretty cheap. Get a nice 03 or 04 with a new NCT for 1000 to 1200. They have a bed rep just from people who never drove one. Have an 03 nearly two years now and never had a problem with it and I think many others who drove one will agree. Decent car for first time driving and easy on petrol

Dynamo Roller1

Get a ford fiesta with a small zetec engine. try and get a ghia model with all the extras like abs brakes and aircon. they are a great reliable car that will get you on to your next car without any problems. you should be able to pick up 03 for 1k. just bring someone who knows cars before you buy. Id say avoid french cars over 7 years old like the plague they just fall apart. Can't go wrong with toyota either

Dynamo Roller1

Oh ya steer clear of the later Yaris models they're pure ****e

M44B19

Dynamo Roller1 wrote: »

Get a ford fiesta with a small zetec, you should be able to pick up 03 for 1k.

Lol you'd need nearly 2k for a 03 Mk6 Fiesta, About 1k would get you a 00/01 Mk5.

Dynamo Roller1

2k really, they are holding they're value well I'll say that much

M44B19

Dynamo Roller1 wrote: »

2k really, they are holding they're value well I'll say that much

Yup, Seriously good car.

A good rust free 2000 Mk5 1.25 LX with NCT will make €1k all day long.

2003 Mk6s are €1800ish upwards depending on model/engine.

OP if your looking at a Fiesta, Get a 3 door... They don't rust as badly on the sills/arches like a 5door.

Faith+1

+1 for the Fiesta. Have an '03 these last 4 years and never had a problem. In fact it always started on the first turn of the key even when we had the bad winters of 09 & 10. Drove it all over the country and it's great on juice.

Great car!

carleigh

+1 for the Focus. I bought one in August (02 1.4 Mk1 model). I started learning in a 1.6 Focus estate, so I knew they were a great car. I went for a 3 door model, and I love it! It was pricey enough for an 02, I got it from the North, so with VRT etc it was a bit more than I wanted to spend, but you get what you pay for, its spotless. Good on fuel, and more importantly, solid and safe.

colm_mcm

Dynamo Roller1 wrote: »

Oh ya steer clear of the later Yaris models they're pure ****e

The OP would be lucky to get any yaris for 1k, not to mind a late one.

I'm gonna throw Daihatsu Sirion into the mix.

TGi666

I would go with a 1.1 saxo or 106, just because everything is cheap and there little to go wrong on the wee 1.1