How much does it cost owning a car when you are starting out???

rox5

I had lessons for a while, but gave them up when I realised that I can't get my own car.

I know, I know, that makes me sound a bit spoiled, but hear me out. I would not mind being insured on my parent's car, since it would cost me less, but only problem is it's the only car in the family, and she has it nearly all the time for work and trips, so I would rarely ever get to use it if i got insured on it.

I started my lessons around 18 and gave them up that same year. I am now 20, still can't find a part-time job, and I now trying to get back into it again by driving my brother's old car that he gave to us around the fields. Can't chance using it on roads since I am not insured and my permit license has expired this year.

I am just wondering now that I have gotton a bit more cop-on since 18 about the whole learning to drive thing, even if I did get a good-part time job during college, is it worth my time and money to own a car now?
It just petrol, tax and insurance have to be paid towards it, right?
And on average how much would it all that be on a certain car?

Sorry if I don't sound that smart about the whole car thing, it's just whenever I asked someone in my family about the car prices, I have a hard time believing them because I keep thinking are they saying that to put me off driving? They automatically assume that I will cause an accident, even though I know I can drive well when I put my mind to it.

Alanstrainor

Tax 400ish (depends completely on the car)
Insurance 1500ish
NCT 55 yearly

2000 quid for the first year, before driving a meter and excluding the price of the car. Once you add petrol you can easily see another 2/3000 on to that for very moderate mileage. And maintenance, tyres servicing you could be looking at 300, if nothing goes too wrong.

It ain't cheap, that's for sure.

Boo2112

I had 4 lessons at 40 each. Bought a 99 Polo for 800. Insurance is the student policy with axa which was around 1300 for my first year. Petrol started out at under 20 a week but when I started driving more often and further it could be up to 50. Repairs is the annoying thing as it's something you can't really budget for but I'd say I put around 400 into the car the first year I had it. Tax on a 1.4 is like 110 every 3 months, cheaper if you do it annually but I prefer doing it quarterly. I honestly think it's the best thing I ever done though, I can't believe I love a big chunk of metal as much as I do but I really wouldn't change her for the world! The independance is unreal, I've never looked back! The only thing I wasn't prepared for was the repairs as its so unpredictable so make sure to be aware of that too. Good luck

gowley

depreciation

homeless student

cars are money pits, not good when your a student.dont get one unless you really need one.

Alanstrainor

gowley wrote: »

depreciation

On a cheap 1000 quid car? Hardly worth considering.

gowley

Alanstrainor wrote: »

On a cheap 1000 quid car? Hardly worth considering.

sorry must have missed the op mentioning a price in his post . fair play to you for seeing it.