Another spec me a car

Mulder

Mulder

Mulder

Soldato
Joined
10 Oct 2004
Posts
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Bucks
Passed my test literally earlier today, wahoo :D

Looking to buy a new car before I start my new job in 3 weeks, budget isn't too much of a problem, got up to 5k, but will need to keep an eye on insurance obviously, I'm 22 atm.

Quite like the look of a 3 series coupe, but it would have to be a 318. Any other suggestions?
 
Mulder said:
Passed my test literally earlier today, wahoo :D

Looking to buy a new car before I start my new job in 3 weeks, budget isn't too much of a problem, got up to 5k, but will need to keep an eye on insurance obviously, I'm 22 atm.

Quite like the look of a 3 series coupe, but it would have to be a 318. Any other suggestions?
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Given that you have just passed and have no experience, insurance will be a killer so I'd aim a bit lower as I think you'll get shafted trying to insure a BMW be it a 318 or not.

Congratulations on the pass btw, watch out for HGV's. ;)
 
I agree, you may have just passed but I'm assuming you are still young and inexperienced so maybe try a easier car to start your learning curve. A 318 is not a dangerous car but with it being RWD, even if it is only a 318, you could still unintentionally spin it by going to fast into a corner which could end up being disasterous. I suggest a small hatch or possibly a smaller saloon... preferably FWD.

(I don't mean to sound condecending, I'm just giving my opinion.)
 
^^ Cheers.

I could get (a few days ago) a quote of £1500 on a 318 with Admiral, considering a fiesta is around 1k that's not bad. I think as long as its <2l without being stupid insurance should be doable.
 
Mulder said:
^^ Cheers.

I could get (a few days ago) a quote of £1500 on a 318 with Admiral, considering a fiesta is around 1k that's not bad. I think as long as its <2l without being stupid insurance should be doable.
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£1500 for a 318? That is quite good actually (I'm assuming your under 20)
 
nuvpal said:
I agree, you may have just passed but I'm assuming you are still young and inexperienced so maybe try a easier car to start your learning curve. A 318 is not a dangerous car but with it being RWD, even if it is only a 318, you could still unintentionally spin it by going to fast into a corner which could end up being disasterous. I suggest a small hatch or possibly a smaller saloon... preferably FWD.

(I don't mean to sound condecending, I'm just giving my opinion.)
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Fair enough, but surely you'll have to learn RWD at some point. If I get a corsa then change to RWD in a year surely the risk of losing it is still there? Wouldn't it be better leaning how to drive "properly" RWD straight out?

nuvpal said:
£1500 for a 318? That is quite good actually (I'm assuming your under 20)
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I'm 22.
 
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Mulder said:
Fair enough, but surely you'll have to learn RWD at some point. If I get a corsa then change to RWD in a year surely the risk of losing it is still there? Wouldn't it be better leaning how to drive "properly" RWD straight out?



I'm 22.
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Hmmm... I can see your argument, but as you're just starting to drive properly you still have everything else to learn and if you add learning to drive RWD car into that as well it could be costly in repairs... I'm not saying it will be, I'm just saying that most accidents involving young drivers that have just passed are due to them incorrectly judging the entry speed of a corner and thus understeering off the road into a hedge or a wall or something, if you did that in a RWD car it would be much worse as the cars do not handle as you expect and thus causes a more severe accident.

Just a warning though, it's perfectly OK to learn to drive in a RWD car, but if you've learnt to drive a FWD and then finally get your freedom to go crazy and "explore" the cars abilities and you do it in a RWD then you may not be ready for the consequences. It all depends on if you trust yourself enough to not do anything crazy initially, before you learn the cars limits...
 
What are you actually after here? How many miles, how much space do you need, etc.

I would recommend a 318, not because it's RWD, mainly because it isn't worth the running costs. E46s can throw up to odd large bill if you're not careful.
 
How about something sensible like a Mk.2 Focus? Golf? A3? Leon?

There's also the Jap stuff like a Civic, Corolla, Mazda3 etc.
 
I take it from "I don't really fancy a 1l fiesta or similar" that you don't really want to be seen driving a studenty/young kids sort of car, you want something more adult-ish right?

Well if you like the size of a 3 series and money is not a problem then I suggest an A4 maybe? (But test drive as some people, myself included, find that AWD audis are not as communicative through the steering wheel, but the FWD version of the A4 is fine)
Or a Saab 93? (I know people on this forum will probably cuss that choice but they are perfectly fine cars)
Passats are very nice cars as well but maybe the bora is more in the 3-series size range.

Do you not want a nippy little hatchback? They are very fun cars and cheap on the insurance and fuel costs... Although I know you do not wish for a fiesta or a golf or anything so how about an Alpha GT or 147? What criteria are you looking for in a car?

Don't take my rantings about first time drivers and RWD cars too seriously, as in a 318 the power is not enough to really cause any major problems, but with the average new driver not having great road knowledge or experience they are more likely to be in the scenario sated previously and will not expect what the car will actually do... But if your heart is set on a 3-series then by all means do not let me deter you, just be aware that you are driving a completely different car than what you most probably learnt in.
 
I'd just rather something more powerful than the typical new drivers car. Doesn't need to be big, in fact something like a 3 door golf would be about the right size. Not too bothered about miles, if it's over 80k or so a recent cambelt service would be a bonus.

A4's are nice but quite big and for 5k you don't get anything like the spec of a similarly priced BMW, VW etc. Dont really like much of the Jap stuff, also insurance tends to be higher. A3s fit the bill nicely, ill get some quotes.
 
Mulder said:
I'd just rather something more powerful than the typical new drivers car. Doesn't need to be big, in fact something like a 3 door golf would be about the right size. Not too bothered about miles, if it's over 80k or so a recent cambelt service would be a bonus.

A4's are nice but quite big and for 5k you don't get anything like the spec of a similarly priced BMW, VW etc. Dont really like much of the Jap stuff, also insurance tends to be higher. A3s fit the bill nicely, ill get some quotes.
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I'm talking about the miles you drive and the type of driving you do.
 
my god, its not like RWD is going to kill him. if he is a **** in any car he will have issues. what wheels are driven just changes which end of the car goes into the ditch first ;]

go for the 3 series coupe if you like it.

Fully star out swearing!!
 
So forgetting the FWD/RWD thing, what would be the difference in servicing and maintenance costs between a sensible choice (an 03 Focus say) and the 318c/A3?

Insurance isn't too much more and nor is the purchase price really.
 
Day to day? Nothing major really, it's only expensive if something big goes wrong, then you would be paying more in a BMW, but general servicing will not be too much different, providing you do not take your BM to a BMW dealer... ;)
 
nuvpal said:
Day to day? Nothing major really, it's only expensive if something big goes wrong, then you would be paying more in a BMW, but general servicing will not be too much different, providing you do not take your BM to a BMW dealer... ;)
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I suppose a 4k focus will be newer and less likely to go wrong compared to an older german car too, so another ford plus there.

It's basically between a focus, an A3 or a 318 now. Decisions decisions. :p
 
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