Buying first car!

Aeternum

Looking for some advice on splashing out on my first car! I'm 19 y/o female and have had my provisional for two years but as we don't have a car in the family, I haven't had the chance to practice much or get insured yet. I have driven a fair bit around car parks and the likes in my boyfriends starlet, but he is selling it and his new car is just way too big for me to learn in! So I've decided to buy my own little run around, nothing fancy, to learn and do my lessons in until I get my full license and then save up for something more permanent.

But the thing is I don't have a clue what to look for! I've been told stay with the japs by 70% of people, then another batch telling me to go Ford or VW. My budget for the car is €2000 max, but it would have to be worth it. I was originally looking at a Yaris but I'm struggling to find any decent ones in my price range! I'm limited as to where I can buy from as well because I live in Mayo so the choice around isn't great.

My budget for insurance is 2 grand, and so far I've been able to get quotes for Micras, Almeras, one civic (??) within that. I'm really just looking for general advice on what to be wary of when getting the car, obviously I'm trying to get something with a decent NCT and low enough mileage but I've been told by some people not to care about the mileage at all so I'm finding it all quite confusing! I want something reliable and small!

Any help?:rolleyes:

Gavman84

You won't go far wrong with any of fiesta,micra or a yaris. As with buying any car and esp at that budget judge car on condition not badge. I had a fiesta 1.25 was great car and they are cheap to run and fix if needed.

IHPhoto

Should be able to pick up a clean micra in the price range

bazz26

Most Fiestas in or around that budget will be heavy with rust at this stage. They were a great little car but rust eventually plagues them.

I'd keep looking for a Yaris, they are a great little car and as you are finding out good ones sell for decent money and quickly for a reason.

For example:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/00-yaris-new-nct/7103418


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/01-toyota-yaris/7084692


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-2002/7125418

colm_mcm

+1 on the yaris

OriginV

Yaris seems to be the best option, Looking into getting one myself.

OriginV

Opel Corsa be a good car as well, Cheap tax for the year.

colm_mcm

Corsa isn't even in the same league tbh.

JohnBoy26

OriginV wrote: »

Opel Corsa be a good car as well, Cheap tax for the year.

They are the complete opposite to good tbh. A Yaris is miles and miles better.

Aeternum

I've been warned to stay away from corsas so haven't even been considering them! I'm keeping an eye out for a yaris in the Mayo area but no luck so far! One 1.3 vvti one but quotes way too high Insurance for them seems higher than it is for micras or any other cars I've been quoted for as well!

bazz26

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/02-toyota-yaris/7084690

Also worth noting that sometimes in order to get the right car you may have to travel within reason for it.

Dangel4x4

The Corsa's a ball of dirt.

You tried searching DoneDeal for a Toyota Vitz ? <- Jap import Yaris

Here's a 4WD one for 1100
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris-4wd/7073120

Nice red one for 1500
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-yaris/7085661

Aeternum

Insurance on imports too high for me on any quotes so far! I know travelling for a car is the usual but it's not possible for me so I have to look within a reasonable distance

Dangel4x4

If you can't find any within a reasonable distance you might have to revise your expectations downwards.

What about a Honda Jazz or something like that?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2002-honda-jazz/7105439


If you're saving 500-700 by buying an import like a Vitz, is the extra on your premium such a big deal? How much of an increase on your premium are you talking about?