First Car

Cornetto

I'm looking at getting my first car, preferably the same size as a golf/polo, and less than 800 euro, any advice? I've heard Puntos are very unreliable, I was originally looking at them.

Alanstrainor

Your budget is next to nothing, I wouldn't rule anything out. And in fact, I would suggest a punto. Should be able to find a decent one if you look around.

Just make sure you can actually afford to run the car, it's expensive business.

dgt

Cornetto wrote: »

I'm looking at getting my first car, preferably the same size as a golf/polo, and less than 800 euro, any advice? I've heard Puntos are very unreliable, I was originally looking at them.

Pub talk and people being bone idle/stingy have led to such a piss poor image.

Find a good un and keep on top of coolant changes. Keep a sharp eye on the cooling system, I can't stress that enough

JohnBoy26

If reliability is what your after, they don't come more reliable than one of these http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4571151

Cornetto

Cornetto wrote: »

I'm looking at getting my first car, preferably the same size as a golf/polo, and less than 800 euro, any advice? I've heard Puntos are very unreliable, I was originally looking at them.

Punto's these days are good, however they tend to be neglected by people who may not have the money to maintain them, as they fall into budget territory because they depreciate heavily, but that's good news for 2nd hand buyers.

I could say check for a full service history, but at that price I wouldn't expect it.

You know at that price what to expect and it won't be much.

The corolla johnboy linked to might be worth a look, though if you are under 24 odd it could be expensive to insure, motoring isn't cheap, road tax, maintenance, tyres, tax, NCT it's a bottomless pit !

Red Crow

Cornetto wrote: »

I'm looking at getting my first car, preferably the same size as a golf/polo, and less than 800 euro, any advice? I've heard Puntos are very unreliable, I was originally looking at them.

Considering your username I'd go for one of these:



In all seriousness I'd go for one of these.

NCT until July and Tax is 360 for the year.

tosser5

ford focus is a good buy

Cornetto

tosser5 wrote: »

ford focus is a good buy

They're about 800-1000 for an 00/01/02 petrol, and the same for golfs. Would these be a good option?

Alanstrainor

Cornetto wrote: »

They're about 800-1000 for an 00/01/02 petrol, and the same for golfs. Would these be a good option?

Golf no. Any that fit into your budget would be shagged. 1.4 engine is very poor in the golf.

Focus on the other hand is a grand car. Reliable, and look pretty well even now. People on here will tell you the 1.4 is too slow for a car that size. I reckon it would do the job though.

dgt

OP follow Alan's advice. A sub 1000 car isn't advisable as a first car. I buy nothing but sub 1000 cars, a lot are uneconomical to repair

bazz26

Something like a Toyota Starlet would be a good first car, getting harder to find a clean one these days though.

theidiots

Have puntos gone up in price? bought an 03 one for mother December 12 months ago and they were all 1100 or cheaper. Seem very dear these days.

Reliable cars once there not drivien the ****e out of.

JohnBoy26

dgt wrote: »

OP follow Alan's advice. A sub 1000 car isn't advisable as a first car. I buy nothing but sub 1000 cars, a lot are uneconomical to repair

I can't agree with this. There is plenty of good sub 1000 cars out there it's just your not buying the right examples ;-).

I think the advice that Alan was trying to give was that you need to buy on condition at that budget and not on brand rep.

Rasmus

You're on the right track going with a Golf or Polo, (if that's what you want) but I'd reconsider your budget. You are looking at running an older car, which is fine if you are ready to put unexpected money into repairs every now and then - possibly timing belts, clutch replacements etc. Buying a cheap car is only cheap when you buy the actual car - the tax bracket will be higher and of course it won't be as fuel efficient.

dgt

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I can't agree with this. There is plenty of good sub 1000 cars out there it's just your not buying the right examples ;-).

I think the advice that Alan was trying to give was that you need to buy on condition at that budget and not on brand rep.

Oh be.ieve me I do buy the right examples. Its the ones I don't talk about on here

Yes, conditin is king. Brand rep with prices like that are asking for trouble. A sub 1000 mk4 Golf?! :pac:

I find the cheapies need a good bit of work to get them right. An ideal solution if the OP is prepared to take the plunge and work on a car themselves they don't know the history of, much about the car itself or what it's like to live with, it may work out alright. Why should the OP cheap out to save a few quid initially to be potentially burned in parts and repairs down the line? The chances are they will end up with a ball of crap, unless they get a really small car....

I stand by my opinion: spend a bit more to get a slightly better example of the same car over a cheap option and have a decent 1st car

Or don't listen to me, what would I know :rolleyes:

Cornetto

dgt wrote: »

Oh be.ieve me I do buy the right examples. Its the ones I don't talk about on here

Yes, conditin is king. Brand rep with prices like that are asking for trouble. A sub 1000 mk4 Golf?! :pac:

I find the cheapies need a good bit of work to get them right. An ideal solution if the OP is prepared to take the plunge and work on a car themselves they don't know the history of, much about the car itself or what it's like to live with, it may work out alright. Why should the OP cheap out to save a few quid initially to be potentially burned in parts and repairs down the line? The chances are they will end up with a ball of crap, unless they get a really small car....

I stand by my opinion: spend a bit more to get a slightly better example of the same car over a cheap option and have a decent 1st car

Or don't listen to me, what would I know :rolleyes:

What about just going for maybe a Micra? Some late 90's and 00s are in good condition.

dgt

Cornetto wrote: »

What about just going for maybe a Micra? Some late 90's and 00s are in good condition.

Go over it thoroughly. Online pics are deceiving

ShM

Id say you'd get a decent 206 or Micra for that price, they seem to be the most reliable 1st time cars, smaller engines too which would be cheaper on tax, insurance etc..

Cornetto

ShM wrote: »

Id say you'd get a decent 206 or Micra for that price, they seem to be the most reliable 1st time cars, smaller engines too which would be cheaper on tax, insurance etc..

I've heard 206's can have a lot of problems with the back axel, would I be better off going for a micra?

ShM

Cornetto wrote: »

I've heard 206's can have a lot of problems with the back axel, would I be better off going for a micra?

In that case then yeah a micra would be better, even a yaris or a polo...just something small and easy to drive:D

colm_mcm

Cornetto wrote: »

What about just going for maybe a Micra? Some late 90's and 00s are in good condition.

GF lost 2 K11 micras to structural rust

13spanner

colm_mcm wrote: »

GF lost 2 K11 micras to structural rust

+1 on that. Our '00 one was showing signs of it for a finish. Sills and the bracket the front bumper / radiator were hanging off are the places to watch for it (or so I was told).

Micra, Starlet, Punto, Corolla, Yaris, Polo...