First car/1.2/5k budget/just passed test

dodzy

Hi folks, welcoming suggestions for first car. Lad passed test last week so eager to get going. I was thinking something along the lines of a 1.2 fiesta (newer shape -2009 on). Open book though; he’s not that particular and not locked to 5k ( I just felt it a sufficient outlay for a starter). More for reliability and something that looks well.

Oh, and if any boardsies happen to be off loading anything in that price range, feel free to PM me!

James Bond Junior

dodzy wrote: »

Hi folks, welcoming suggestions for first car. Lad passed test last week so eager to get going. I was thinking something along the lines of a 1.2 fiesta (newer shape -2009 on). Open book though; he’s not that particular and not locked to 5k ( I just felt it a sufficient outlay for a starter). More for reliability and something that looks well.

Oh, and if any boardsies happen to be off loading anything in that price range, feel free to PM me!

My brother in law has a 141 fiesta, he is 20. Fine car, good on juice, reasonably roomy and drives well.

horse7

It might be boring but a Yaris is the best starter car( reliable etc).

bazz26

I'd also look at the Renault Clio, they are a great little car.

This one is a bit over budget but if you could get it closer to 5k then it could be a good purchase and it's got a few months tax left on it which is worth a few quid anyway. It's a newer model that was only launched in 2013 with more modern tech and safety features:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/131-renault-clio-1-1/27511400

zg3409

Make sure to get a firm insurance quote using the actual car reg prior to buying anything. Insurance could be 4000 per year for first year, meaning cost of car is less important than cost of insurance. 1.0L is way to go for year one, and beware the chance if an accident is high in year one so I would more recommend cheaper cars with a few dents already.

dvdman1

Honda Jazz or (Fit - Japanese import name)
Excellent car that's huge inside, the reliability is better than a Yaris.
Doesn't handle like a ford but it ticks a lot of boxes.

Cuttlefish

dvdman1 wrote: »

Honda Jazz or (Fit - Japanese import name)
Excellent car that's huge inside, the reliability is better than a Yaris.
Doesn't handle like a ford but it ticks a lot of boxes.

Yes Honda Jazz. Yaris or even a Mazda 2 - reliability is what I would look for first

theoneeyedman

I've posted this before, lad here started with a 1.4 petrol focus. Cheap as chips, not very powerful, and hence easily insured-several hundred cheaper to insure than say a compatible Auris

Personally, I'd recommend not going too new first time up, allow for a few bumps and scrapes in the first year or so, but that's a matter of preference.

The_B_Man

Ye I started myself on a MKii 1.4 petrol Focus. Struggled going uphill without a running start but I never had any issues really. I found it very reliable and comfortable. I'd recommend one anyway.

bazz26

The last of the 1.4 litre petrol Focus would have been sold in 2009 or maybe an odd 2010 one here or there. Those are now 11 or 12 years old and based on a design that was launched back in 2004. You have to think about insurance too and insurance companies don't like old cars and tend to raise premiums on them as they get even older. A 2009/2010 1.4 petrol Focus also costs around €600 every year on the newer tax system. There are better cars out there now for 5k.