Starter specs

Creeby

Im sure this question has been asked before but I would really appreciate some updated opinions.

Basically im buying my first car soon and just wondering what people think I should go for.

I will be using the car the odd evening during the week and a good bit on weekends, not too much.

The specs would be;

-Under 2500 euro
-Under 1.9 litre
-Manual
-Diesel/petrol? - stuck on this one what do people think would be better?
-Dont really mind what kind of car it is i.e. hatchback or saloon

Ive been thinking maybe a 407, golf or 307?

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated! Cheers!

advertsfox

No more than a 1.2 petrol is all you need for your first car. Watch what happens if you ring and try get insured in a 1.9 diesel, even a 1.6 (which is what your seeing looking at the 407 / 307). My first car was a 1.2 Punto at age 23, 3rd party only and it was €1400.

I suggest Fiesta / Polo / Grande Punto / Yaris.

Creeby

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry forgot to mention that I will be going down on my dads name with insurance, he will be the named driver

djimi

Do you have any specific requirements, ie will you be carrying dogs, surf boards, golf bags etc? Can you estimate your mileage? What sort of driving will you be doing; city/rural/motorway etc?

Creeby

Nope wont be carrying anything like that, not regularly anyway

Mileage I would estimate at about 7,500 km a year

Mainly rural with some motorway

djimi

Forget about diesel so for starters; youre not doing the right sort of driving or mileage to warrant it.

A lot comes down to what you want really. If youre not bothered about what youre driving and just want something cheap and cheerful to reliably get you from A to B then something like an early 00s Yaris would be ideal; decent little car that shouldnt give you much trouble.

If it were me and I was looking for some something a bit more substantial then a 1.4 Civic saloon would be a good shout. Again very reliable car, quite comfortable and one of the better cars to drive in that sort of engine size range.

Creeby

Cheers djimi thanks for the advice!

almostover

Can I suggest a Mitsubishi Lancer 1.3 or a Colt 1.3? Good ones can be got for smallish money and they will give you little or no trouble.

JC01

Colt, starlet, civic, micra, corolla, avensis

any of the above are ideal starters and you'll have a big chunk of change outta your 2.5k. All are bulletproof and cheap to run and tax. Some will be harder than others to insure depending on your circumstances

bazz26

OP, you need to take a few examples of different cars and start getting insurance quotes on them. While your dad might be added to the policy insurance companies these days tend to load whoever is the higher risk on the policy. Like most new drivers your choice of car could come down to what you can afford to insure.

Thirdfox

advertsfox wrote: »

No more than a 1.2 petrol is all you need for your first car. Watch what happens if you ring and try get insured in a 1.9 diesel, even a 1.6 (which is what your seeing looking at the 407 / 307). My first car was a 1.2 Punto at age 23, 3rd party only and it was €1400.

I suggest Fiesta / Polo / Grande Punto / Yaris.

It does depend on a range of factors - I'm looking to getting my first car now (though have been a named driver on my parents' car previously) - looking at quotes at some of the cars I'm looking at:

Fully comprehensive 2010 Audi A5 1.8T - €858 (3 years named driver experience, 0 years NCB).

I had been expecting something in the 1000s+ so it was a nice surprise.

OP - is that a first car as a completely new driver or are you looking for a first car for yourself with some driving experience already?

edit: just read your second post - seems like you'll be a completely new driver? I drive a Polo on my parents' insurance right now - a very nice workhorse and a good learner's car. Insurance wasn't expensive either - around 500 if I recall.