Best beginner car?

donnyb28

Hello there!

Just got my drivers permit and need a car to practice with until I get my full. In college at the moment and budget is tight so, looking for the following:

Under 1.5L
NCT'd and taxed
Budget of €1,500 - anything under a bonus.

Any solid cars in your opinion from personal experience? Also, any stinkers that should be avoided at all costs? Any thoughts/ links for suitable cars for sale would be much appreciated....Thanks!

Starscream25

I had a fiesta for my first 3 years on the road, can't go wrong with them, reliable and one of the cheaper cars to keep on the road, but there is a few others, should have a look at ford ka, yaris, clio. But I'd rate the fiesta highly.

Chippy01

That €1500 should get you 50 lessons in a driving school.
If you're good enough, you'll get your test in under 50 lessons.
Then get your car. Insurance will be much cheaper as well.

stimpson

I'd go with a 1.4 Focus. A buddy of mine planned on a Yaris for his first car and I talked him into a Focus. 3 years on and he's got his licence and is still driving it. It's never given him a moment of trouble. A bigger car will give you more confidence on the road and be far more comfortable.

Micras, Yarises and Kas are horrible little cars.

Scortho

stimpson wrote: »

I'd go with a 1.4 Focus. A buddy of mine planned on a Yaris for his first car and I talked him into a Focus. 3 years on and he's got his licence and is still driving it. It's never given him a moment of trouble. A bigger car will give you more confidence on the road and be far more comfortable.

Micras, Yarises and Kas are horrible little cars.

In fairness a focus with a 1.4l engine is a horrible car as well.
I'd go for a micra, seicento or a fiesta.

Starscream25

Scortho wrote: »

In fairness a focus with a 1.4l engine is a horrible car as well.
I'd go for a micra, seicento or a fiesta.

Ya I agree, should stick with a 1 litre or 1.2 for cheaper tax aswell

stimpson

Scortho wrote: »

In fairness a focus with a 1.4l engine is a horrible car as well.
I'd go for a micra, seicento or a fiesta.

A 1998 1.2 fiesta has ~50 bhp and feels about as sturdy as a match box. A 1.4 focus is 75 bhp and won't win many drag races, but is a decent sized car and far more comfortable than anything else suggested here. Still fairly cheap to insure too.

Scortho

stimpson wrote: »

A 1998 1.2 fiesta has ~50 bhp and feels about as sturdy as a match box. A 1.4 focus is 75 bhp and won't win many drag races, but is a decent sized car and far more comfortable than anything else suggested here. Still fairly cheap to insure too.

Aye but the 1.4 is too weak an engine to pull the weight of the focus. Likewise the golf with a 1.4 engine is too weak to pull the weight of the golf.

stimpson

Scortho wrote: »

Aye but the 1.4 is too weak an engine to pull the weight of the focus. Likewise the golf with a 1.4 engine is too weak to pull the weight of the golf.

The focus is 1049kg, the fiesta is 925kg, yet the focus has 50% more power. If the focus is weak, the fiesta is worse.

Starscream25

Forget about getting a focus, a smaller sized car would be more suitable starting off, simples

stimpson

Starscream25 wrote: »

Forget about getting a focus, a smaller sized car would be more suitable starting off, simples

Because.....?

Starscream25

Because as a beginner, one does not need to worry about driving a slightly larger car. It's fairly self explanatory, nothing against focus's

stimpson

I'm not sure it is. That post doesn't make much sense to me.

A smaller car is easier to park, but that's about it. After the first couple of months parking shouldn't be a problem.

A focus is a nicer place to be, has the advantage of a bit more power, so it's easier to merge and safer to overtake and easier to get yourself out of trouble. It is only €30 more to tax that the fiesta 1.2 and probably not much more to insure.

Starscream25

stimpson wrote: »

I'm not sure it is. That post doesn't make much sense to me.

A smaller car is easier to park, but that's about it. After the first couple of months parking shouldn't be a problem.

A focus is a nicer place to be, has the advantage of a bit more power, so it's easier to merge and safer to overtake and easier to get yourself out of trouble. It is only €30 more to tax that the fiesta 1.2 and probably not much more to insure.

All fair points, I'm just saying generally but not always, smaller cars are a more of a potential car for beginners, a focus might be a small bit more to run but op is saying he's trying to keep cost down, I wouldn't worry about having a bit extra power in first car but op it's your decision.

stimpson

OSI wrote: »

A 1.25 Fiesta has 73bhp and is a good 2 seconds quicker to 60 than a 1.4 Focus.

Thats the newer Zetec-S engine. The older engine was 16sec 0-60.

SEPT 23 1989

Mitsubishi Lancer

peterb23

have a ford focus the last 8 years, very few problems, very reliable car and reasonable also.

stimpson

OSI wrote: »

The Fiesta Zetec and Focus were around at the same time. And if you ended up with a pre 99 Fiesta for €1500, you need your head examined.

If the OP was looking at focuses, he'll be looking at the Fiesta with the newer Zetec engine, so comparing it with the old 50bhp one is wrong.

My old dear used to have the pre Zetec, but I'm sure the car was 98 or 99. It was woefully slow.

visual

stimpson wrote: »

Thats the newer Zetec-S engine. The older engine was 16sec 0-60.

Thats opel corsa 1.0 or micra 1.0 liter times also.

Cabaal

stimpson wrote: »

Because.....?

Would have thought this was obviously
- Higher insurance
- Likely higher tax
- likely more expensive to buy that 1.4 over say a 1.1

bazz26

stimpson wrote: »

A 1998 1.2 fiesta has ~50 bhp and feels about as sturdy as a match box. A 1.4 focus is 75 bhp and won't win many drag races, but is a decent sized car and far more comfortable than anything else suggested here. Still fairly cheap to insure too.

The 1.25 litre engine in that Fiesta had 75bhp also.

Ms.Sunshine

I am in the same position , I have started looking at Ford Fiestas I found a nice one with a 1.25 lt engine.

B00056718

I'm going to gain few enemies for saying it but mk2 Fiat Punto would also be a good candidate. If maintained properly, it's a cheap and fun to drive car.

Also, should anything go wrong it's very easy to fix and parts are cheap.

You should be able to pick up an ELX one for around 1000€ no problem.

pete4130

I had a 1.4 Focus Estate as my first car I'd ever driven/bought/owned/passed my test in and it wasn't too big or underpowered. It's not the fastest thing in the world but its a much nicer place to be than a Fiesta or Yaris thats for sure. My gf at the time passed in the estate after failing twice in her mothers Fiat Ciecento previously.

I used to load it up with 5 guys, 5 bags, 5 bikes in the boot and go all over Ireland with the 1.4 Focus Estate. Try do that in a Yaris or Fiesta and still be reasonably comfortable. You won't.

As a 1st time driver 0-60 doesn't matter to you. Most of your driving as a new driver will be short runs so a 1.4 will be fine for you. The Focus is the best handling car in its class for its age too.

If you haven't driven a 1.4 Focus then you can't really comment on what it is capable of.

GreeBo

You can pick up an 02 206 for around that money.

My advice would be to get a few reg numbers and see what your insurance is going to be for each type of car.
You might get a shock at the difference between 1.1 and 1.4 for a first time driver.
Also tax and petrol costs cant be ignored.

You are essentially learning to drive, I dunno why anyone would recommend that you do this in a 1.4 car.
Its not about a nice place to be, its about being able to get from A to B on your own for the first time in your life.

Grab All Association

Put down Farm Labourer as your occupation and it will get your quote down a bit.


Don't forget your loser plate

wonski

stimpson wrote: »

A 1998 1.2 fiesta has ~50 bhp and feels about as sturdy as a match box. A 1.4 focus is 75 bhp and won't win many drag races, but is a decent sized car and far more comfortable than anything else suggested here. Still fairly cheap to insure too.

Not that it is important but Fiesta 1.25 is 75 bhp, just like Focus, and is actually faster than Focus.

Edit: Beaten (by two posters) - didn't notice there was second page...

JohnBoy26

pete4130 wrote: »

I had a 1.4 Focus Estate as my first car I'd ever driven/bought/owned/passed my test in and it wasn't too big or underpowered. It's not the fastest thing in the world but its a much nicer place to be than a Fiesta or Yaris thats for sure. My gf at the time passed in the estate after failing twice in her mothers Fiat Ciecento previously.

I used to load it up with 5 guys, 5 bags, 5 bikes in the boot and go all over Ireland with the 1.4 Focus Estate. Try do that in a Yaris or Fiesta and still be reasonably comfortable. You won't.

As a 1st time driver 0-60 doesn't matter to you. Most of your driving as a new driver will be short runs so a 1.4 will be fine for you. The Focus is the best handling car in its class for its age too.

If you haven't driven a 1.4 Focus then you can't really comment on what it is capable of.

I have and they are underpowered, not as bad as the mk2 version though but overtaking is still a chore. Drive another 1.4 such as a corolla or civic and you will know just how underpowered the focus is.;)

GreeBo

Sorry but why are we talking about underpowered and 0-60 and bhp for someones *first* car and they havent even passed a test yet?
For the first car you are going to own and learn to drive in you want it to be cheap to buy and run, reliable and thats about it.

Anything else is way out of scope, this isnt a car enthusiast, its someone without a test for gods sake.

JohnBoy26

GreeBo wrote: »

Sorry but why are we talking about underpowered and 0-60 and bhp for someones *first* car and they havent even passed a test yet?

I think the point is why bother with an underpowered focus when you can have a smaller car that will have near the same level of performance as the focus but will be cheaper to run, tax and possibly insure aswel.

GreeBo

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I think the point is why bother with an underpowered focus when you can have a smaller car that will have near the same level of performance as the focus but will be cheaper to run, tax and possibly insure aswel.

My point is that the focus is "too much car" for someone learning to drive.

ba_barabus

GreeBo wrote: »

My point is that the focus is "too much car" for someone learning to drive.

I learned in an Avensis and an Opel Combo. Both have gave me great confidence and parking skill.

What do you mean by too much car? Too big an engine or too big a body?

JohnBoy26

GreeBo wrote: »

My point is that the focus is "too much car" for someone learning to drive.

that's nonsense tbh.

bezerk

GreeBo wrote: »

My point is that the focus is "too much car" for someone learning to drive.

I don't understand this? Learning to drive is pretty simple. Maybe a 2ltr V-Tec Integra would be overkill or something but any standard car no matter how big is grand. I learned in a 1.6Ltr Beamer and now driving a Punto haha

bezerk

Chippy01 wrote: »

That €1500 should get you 50 lessons in a driving school.
If you're good enough, you'll get your test in under 50 lessons.
Then get your car. Insurance will be much cheaper as well.

Why would he want 50 lessons when he can drive when he is insured? I did three lessons and passed the test after a month of driving. Waste of money.(This was prior to the six months and min of 10 driving lessons)

OP I'd definitly recommend a Punto, should be able to get a decent 04/05 Model for around your price range

GreeBo

ba_barabus wrote: »

I learned in an Avensis and an Opel Combo. Both have gave me great confidence and parking skill.

What do you mean by too much car? Too big an engine or too big a body?

Was it your own Avensis or Combo?
I did most of mine in an Avensis also, but it wasnt my car that I was paying to keep on the road.

The OP is looking to buy their first car to learn to drive in. They will be responsible for all the costs (I'm assuming) so I dont see the point in paying extra tax, insurance and running costs (and probably up front costs) too?
Get a cheap, reliable runaround thats economical to run and keep on the road and dont worry about it.
You can get an 05 206 for <3k, 02 polo for the same, puntos for 1.5k.
For a first time insured, 33 year old lady, insurance and tax pretty much *doubled* going from 1.2 to 1.4 engine, you honestly think thats worth it for someones first car?

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

that's nonsense tbh.

I'll address each of your valuable counter arguments in turn.:cool:

GreeBo

bezerk wrote: »

I don't understand this? Learning to drive is pretty simple. Maybe a 2ltr V-Tec Integra would be overkill or something but any standard car no matter how big is grand. I learned in a 1.6Ltr Beamer and now driving a Punto haha

Its not the size of the car, its the cost of keeping it on the road for no benefit.
Sure you can upgrade to a bigger engine in a year, but why bother paying all the extra (in comparison to the purchase price) when all you are doing is learning how to drive in it?
Its not like you are going to be going on 300M cruises on perfect roads.

JohnBoy26

GreeBo wrote: »

Was it your own Avensis or Combo?
I did most of mine in an Avensis also, but it wasnt my car that I was paying to keep on the road.

The OP is looking to buy their first car to learn to drive in. They will be responsible for all the costs (I'm assuming) so I dont see the point in paying extra tax, insurance and running costs (and probably up front costs) too?
Get a cheap, reliable runaround thats economical to run and keep on the road and dont worry about it.
You can get an 05 206 for <3k, 02 polo for the same, puntos for 1.5k.
For a first time insured, 33 year old lady, insurance and tax pretty much *doubled* going from 1.2 to 1.4 engine, you honestly think thats worth it for someones first car?



I'll address each of your valuable counter arguments in turn.:cool:

You argue that a focus is too much car and say that going from 1.2 to 1.4 isn't worth it for some ones first car which isn't exactly true tbh.

It will only cost very slightly more to run a 1.4 over a 1.2. For example tax is only €55 more on a 1.4 so that's hardly doubled and obviously I can't comment on insurance but for me when I was learning it only cost about €80 more to insure a 1.4 over a 1.0.

A 1.2 will be cheaper granted but the difference is not as big as you make out.

GreeBo

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

You argue that a focus is too much car and say that going from 1.2 to 1.4 isn't worth it for some ones first car which isn't exactly true tbh.

It will only cost very slightly more to run a 1.4 over a 1.2. For example tax is only €55 more on a 1.4 so that's hardly doubled and obviously I can't comment on insurance but for me when I was learning it only cost about €80 more to insure a 1.4 over a 1.0.

A 1.2 will be cheaper granted but the difference is not as big as you make out.

sorry I mean 1.0 to 1.4

Tax goes from 199 to 385+
and insurance went from 600 to 1200+

Remember this is a first time driver with zero NCB on their own insurance, for 80quid Im guessing you were a named driver?

Ignoring any fuel costs (and also that to get a 1.4 for the same price its probably going to be a fair bit older or much higher mileage) then its already 800 more a year, on a budget of 1,500 I really dont think that makes any sense.

lway

Gotta give a vote to the VW Polo, my 6yr old Polo got me through lessons, the test and about 8 years trouble free motoring back when I started driving. Couldn't fault it and had well over 100k miles on it when I upgraded to a bigger car. Beyond the usual Service items, bulbs, brake pads, tyres, timing belt etc the only thing that I ever changed on it was part of the exhaust that broke.

GreeBo

lway wrote: »

Gotta give a vote to the VW Polo, my 6yr old Polo got me through lessons, the test and about 8 years trouble free motoring back when I started driving. Couldn't fault it and had well over 100k miles on it when I upgraded to a bigger car. Beyond the usual Service items, bulbs, brake pads, tyres, timing belt etc the only thing that I ever changed on it was part of the exhaust that broke.

good bit more expensive to get though compared to micra or punto, 206.
Around the same as a yaris from what I've seen lately.

but yeah, nice solid learner cars from early 2000's available for <3k.