Author Topic: Anyone know about cars? advice needed please! (Read 8148 times)

Muso · « **on:** September 25, 2007, 11:00:46 AM »

Hey dudes

I'm just about to pass my test and buy a little runaround car for about £1000 I was wondering if anyone has any idea of what I should be looking for? I really don't care how it looks, I would just like something cheap to run, cheap to insure and reliable. I'm 26 so I think that makes some kind of difference to insurance.

Any advice would be great as I really know nothing! I'm thinking of going to an auction as you can get some good deals there.

Thanks in advance!

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2007, 11:44:40 AM »

I bought an old beemer when I crashed my last motor and I love it. Doesn't go wrong and is cheap to fix. The insurance is suprisingly cheap and the handling is suprising soft.

Cost me £500, had 51,000 on the clock and doesn't go wrong. NOt bad for 20 years old.

I think that old beemers and mercs are really good buys (but check the insurance first). Might actually be selling it soon, so if you haven't found one by then, let me know.

Stay away from Ford KA's over 5 years old, it'll turn to dust soon enough.

Here's my beast:

When I had about a grand to spend, I had a Mazda 323F. That was fairly nice until it threw me into a crash barrier. Japanese cars are my favorites, but parts can be expensive if it all goes wrong (new pully kit for the major service cost me £140). The wife has a Nissan 100NX, funky looking T-Bar which was about £600. Good for the money.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2007, 12:33:49 PM »

Vauxhall Corsa's are quality for first cars, that's what i am getting for my first car when i pass my test. A lot of my mates have Corsa's too, and my brother got one so they must be pretty good.

dave_mc · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2007, 01:08:21 PM »

26 probably will make a difference but having no no claims bonus isn't going to help...

Nadz1lla · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2007, 02:20:08 PM »

I drive an N reg Suzuki Swift. 1 litre, I can fill it from empty for £25 and I only have to refuel once a week, and I do a fair amount of driving. Also cheap parts, low emissions so cheap tax and insurance is next to nothing. I have 5 years no claims, I'm 26 too, my insurance is something like £21 a month fully comp.

Oh and the car cost me £700 with only 49k on the clock.

Ted · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:45:14 PM »

anything japanese or german will be built well and be reliable.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:33:36 PM »

Anything French will be cr@pola :lol:

gwEm · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:22:17 PM »

i would check insurance for some different types before you decide. no claims bonus does make a big difference.

i have a vauxhall corsa and would suggest it would make a decent first car. should get a really nice one for a grand.

CJ · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:27:47 AM »

here's mine. Bought it for $2000 US. I've redone the interior and put a black cowl hood on it. Runs surprisingly well. Not bad for a first car at 16. Look around for old cars, some run quite well, and they'll be cheap.

Nadz1lla · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2007, 01:41:20 PM »

Ooo, that's a hella nice first car! And those things are built to last too, like tanks!

Over here in England, if you want something cheap that will last you nigh on forever, your looking at an old Volvo or similar, nothing quite as classy as yours, heh.

Nadz1lla · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2007, 01:51:04 PM »

Just to illustrate my point...

Here's someone's first car in England:

And here's someone's first car in America:

Jealous? Moi? :lol: :roll:

CJ · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:36:37 PM »

haha, i was considering repainting my car yellow with black stripes after that movie, that would've been pretty good. I'm pretty sure the camaro they used in transformers was the same year as mine.

EDIT: i don't currently have the funds to make my car a car/bumblebee.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:59:10 PM »

I would have a look t some Hondas
Brilliant engines on them - just keep going

Muso · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2007, 05:19:48 PM »

thanks for all the info

I'm looking at getting a diesel, probably a ford fiesta. Ive found one for just under 1 grand 1999, 60,000 miles and 1.8 diesel engine.

Anyone driven a fiesta on a long journey as I'm planning to drive down cornwall soon.

Nadz1lla · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2007, 08:54:02 PM »

I've driven a petrol...not by choice it was the only one the car rental place had left...

Anyways, it had a tiny engine and did okay, so the 1.8 version will be a breeze on long journeys.