Passed the test yesterday, first car suggestions

BeardedBadger

Hi all, looking for suggestions.
Right, I have more or less a first option on a Peugeot 206 1.1 petrol 04 but reading that they can be unreliable so I don't know if it'd be better to go with something else. The Peugeot would be available for in or around the 1300/1400 mark

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

What's your budget?

If €13/1400 is the entire budget, I'd say steer clear but if it's not then that's a cheap car for the year, and you can keep money back to sort the niggles that inevitably arise with that particular car.

BeardedBadger

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

What's your budget?

If €13/1400 is the entire budget, I'd say steer clear but if it's not then that's a cheap car for the year, and you can keep money back to sort the niggles that inevitably arise with that particular car.

Overall was budgeting 4500 for car and insurance so it'd be a nice saving provided things didn't go too horribly wrong

Foxhole Norman

Get a 1.0 Mk1 Yaris, with that budget you can get a very tidy one and Tax/Insurance.

BeardedBadger

Sorry, another fact I should have mentioned is that I'm 6'5" so if anyone can advise me in something that would be comfortable for me at that budget too.

Was looking at a couple of yaris' how do they do on the motorway? I'll be doing quite a bit of long distance driving. East to west and back

baldbear

My first car was a Toyotal Corolla. It was ten years old and never gave me any bother! I'd deginatly recommend as a first car.

Littlehorny

Know a few lads who were very tall like you and they said the fiesta was the only small car they could fit comfortably in.

Foxhole Norman

ArseMonger1 wrote: »

Sorry, another fact I should have mentioned is that I'm 6'5" so if anyone can advise me in something that would be comfortable for me at that budget too.

Was looking at a couple of yaris' how do they do on the motorway? I'll be doing quite a bit of long distance driving. East to west and back

Yaris wouldn't be ideal so, it's a bit loud/shakey on the motorway. Maybe a 1.4 Focus or Golf or another car of that size?

colm_mcm

206 not great if you've got big feet. Pedals very close together.

the_syco

ArseMonger1 wrote: »

Sorry, another fact I should have mentioned is that I'm 6'5" so if anyone can advise me in something that would be comfortable for me at that budget too.

I'm 6 foot 6" dude. First car was a 2002 Honda Civic saloon, and currently driving a Toyota Corolla hatchback. Lots of room in both. Started driving sometime around 27 years old, insurance for the Honda was €1200 on a learner fully comp with Asgard (they seemingly went for new drivers at the time).

Another car that I fitted into nicely was a Ford Mondeo, but haven't driven one yet.

I'd recommend the Toyota Corolla, as they're fairly reliable, and feel solid when driving on the motorway. The Honda Civic saloon was faster, more power, but the new Honda Civic hatchback that I tried was small.

bazz26

Small cars are not designed for long commutes, you could be shattered after a long drive in one. You really should be looking at the next size up - Focus, Corolla, etc, at the very least.

BeardedBadger

I've been looking at the 1.25 fiesta zetec too and seem to have only heard good things so far. Any opinions?

kirving

I do Galway to Dublin every week, and while not huge milage by any means compared to some people, I can tell you that you really have to be looking at the next size up in terms of comfort.

A larger car will be heavier, more stable on the road, have more seat adjustment, more sound insulation, maybe better rear suspension amongst other things, and will be an all round nicer place to be for that journey.

For example I'd have a 99-04 Focus over a 03-08 Fiesta every time for motorway driving. You won't see much of a difference in insurance between those sizes of car either maybe 1-200 if that. When I passed the test, it was my age and no NCB inflating the price, not the model of car which were all the same give or take.

sean1141

colm_mcm wrote:

206 not great if you've got big feet. Pedals very close together.

We have a 206 here and I never had problems with the pedals. I'm a size 11 and usually drive it in steel toe work boots.

As said op try get a bigger car if your doing long drives. They are generally more comfortable.

bazz26

ArseMonger1 wrote: »

I've been looking at the 1.25 fiesta zetec too and seem to have only heard good things so far. Any opinions?

The Fiesta is similar in size to a 206. If you are doing a long commute to work then the last thing you need is to be getting out of the car tired before you even start your day's work, and then having to face the same home again. Comfort and space are paramount for long commutes and generally the bigger the car the more comfortable it is.

You also have the other factors like small cars with small engines are not very efficient if they are constantly driving at motorway speed, the small engine is racing to push on meaning it's not very fuel efficient. They you have their light weight which can mean they can start rocking in a strong cross wind on a wide open road. These type cars are designed with city driving in mind and maybe the occasional long drive but they are not designed to be mile munchers.

mhackett102

Im in the same situation as you, except for the height

I bought a Toyota Corolla about three weeks ago and have had no problem with it. Im paying for insurance monthly so it isnt too bad either. I've clocked up 1,000 miles in the three weeks and no problems to report back with so far very happy with it. Nice for a first car.