First car - some motorway driving

Skittle

Hi all,
I've seen that there are a few other "First Car" threads but they seem old so excuse me if I start another one.

I've decided that after many years on public transport I need to get a car, primarily due to a new job which requires me to go down to Kilkenny every second week and there will be the usual trips on the M50, everything else will be around Dublin at the weekends etc.

The problem is I'm a new driver, and know nothing about cars in general. From asking around I've been told that (A) I should go for a 1.6l engine (for the motorway driving) and (B)Diesel should be avoided since I won't be driving much (Mon-Fri it's still going to be bus into the city centre), and Diesel might be harder to sell-on in a few years time.

I intend on holding on to the car for 2-5 years and then see where the hybrid/electric cars are at endurance wise.

I've searched for 1.6l petrol cars on second hand sites and there isn't many about. Would a 1.4l be sufficient? Or is the demise of diesel blown out of all proportion?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

shanec1928

budget?

Skittle

Budget, it would have been useful if I included that

I guess somewhere around the €15-16k would be ok. Could go to €18k at an absolute max.

Heres Johnny

Insurance will be expensive. Pull your budget back to leave plenty of room for I'm guessing a 2k+ insurance premium.

New driver, I'd be inclined to look in the golf/focus segment. I'd probably go for the golf myself but see what you can get within budget and insurance costs. Wouldn't go 18k or close to it on a first car either, if you have some one that knows what they're looking at there are perfect cars out there for sub 10k, sub 5k even. But a lot of dogs as well so a mechanic friend can be invaluable.

Ring absolutely everyone you find about insurance too, I was getting WILD variations last week renewing. From 700 to 2700 would you believe.

Alanstrainor

I don't really understand the logic in specifically looking for a 1.6... you could be looking at a whole range of cars with bigger or smaller engines that would fit the bill here. I guess if you are claiming mileage, there might be some incentive to get a something larger depending on your rates.

If you are still going to be getting public transport most of the time, your mileage really will be very low. Although I would wager that with a car, you will use it more than you expect.

You say you are new driver, does this mean you do not have a full license? This could constrain things if so.

ELM327

If it's your first car do not spend 15-16k.
I would spend 10% of that, as you'll scratch it etc

bazz26

Slightly off topic OP but when you say you are a new driver do you mean you are still on a learner permit?

The reason I ask is that insurance costs are probably a bit factor on what model car you buy, plus I'm sure you know already that a driver holding a learner permit can not drive unaccompanied or on a motorway.

Skittle

Thanks so far for the responses guys. I guess I'm looking for advice. The 1.6l engine size is what others had suggested to me, petrol was suggested as several people told me "Diesel" will be dead soon. but looking at cars there seems to be very few cars out there which are petrol and 1.6l. No problem getting a second hand diesel car. I was putting a cut off of 2013 for the age of the car, as I've heard of Insurance companies refusing to insure cars over 10 years old, so a 2013 car would give me 4 years of driving.

I guess I was just trying to maximise any money I might get later on if I try to resell it. Or is that something I shouldn't be worried about if I buy a cheap enough car?

_Brian

ELM327 wrote: »

If it's your first car do not spend 15-16k.
I would spend 10% of that, as you'll scratch it etc

Why would they scratch it ??

Seriously I can never understand that advice, if op can drive and is careful then the car should have no worse time than any other owner.

Now, if they know they are crap driver who won’t mind the car then maybe, but we shouldn’t presume every first car owner can’t mind a car.

Skittle

bazz26 wrote: »

Slightly off topic OP but when you say you are a new driver do you mean you are still on a learner permit?

We'll see tomorrow whether I'll be off the learner permit on onto a full license.;)

I'm just thinking ahead...