What was your first car?

Nitrojan · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:34

Been searching all over the place for car insurance as I am 17 and am looking to have passed my test within the next few months. Some of you may have seen an older thread of mine about a car that I got back in July (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18036210) that I was hoping to be able to use however being inexperienced back then and the 'hype' of wanting a car having turned 17 took the better of me and I wasted £800 on a car that I now realise I cannot insure for less than £3k. This is mainly due to the car having cosmetic modifications (exhaust, lowered, bodykit, alloys, tinted windows).

Before realising this, I have been working on it endlessly during weekends with a mechanic/bodywork friend getting any small dents filled and ready for a re-spray (am able to get an outside spray only for £200 inc high gloss paint through a friend providing that I prep the car myself), so have been doing this and had to replace both rear wheel arch back panels to be sure that rust won't damage the paintwork in the years to come however.. here is my situation.

The car looks terrible at the moment and has patches of primer on the bits that I have flattened and filled. So, granted that it's unlikely that I am going to be able to insure it, and the fact that it needs new back tyres and a new battery and the re-spray.. do I just scrap it having wasted £800 or pay £3k-£4k for insurance (which I think is silly.. as much as I would LOVE to drive the car).

What cars did you get as your first car? I hate the fact that being 17 and having passed your test means that you're restricted to such a limited selection of 'low-end' and 'ugly' cars.

iaind · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:37

306 1.8 XT

Because you can only buy and insure bottom of the range tiny hatchbacks at 17

Housey · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:37

Mini 1000, before you were born

Nitrojan · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:38

iaind said:
306 1.8 XT

Because you can only buy and insure bottom of the range tiny hatchbacks at 17

You insured a 1.8?

iaind · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:40

Nitrojan said:
You insured a 1.8?

Yes

Vigoro · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:41

My clio was and still is my first car.

Got a piddly 1.2 engine, but is a good car to learn in, just i need something new now as after a year and a bit i have got bored of it and it is starting to annoy me being so low on power, uncomfortable on long journeys blah blah blah, however i can insure something much better now after the 2 years experience(As of May).

mjt · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:41

iaind said:
306 1.8 XT

Because you can only buy and insure bottom of the range tiny hatchbacks at 17

we had one of those, one of the first off the production line in 1993. good little cars

mine is in my sig. but that's becuase my fantastic insurance broker claims i have 6 years no claims and my car produces 110bhp instead of 150 \o/

Nitrojan · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:41

How the heck did you insure a 1.8l at 17?

Vigoro · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:42

Nitrojan said:
How the heck did you insure a 1.8l at 17?

Just because it is a big engine doesnt always mean it is quick. The car will be a lower risk as people will tend to avoid it due to the fact they think it is going to be expensive, so less young people drive them and then crash them. It is the same with all cars, and it depends on where you live and what the weather is like on the day as to how much you insurance will cost

iaind · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:43

mjt said:
we had one of those, one of the first off the production line in 1993. good little cars

mine is in my sig. but that's becuase my fantastic insurance broker claims i have 5 years no claims and my car produces 110bhp instead of 150 \o/

Likewise, it was a 1993 K.

Nitrojan said:
How the heck did you insure a 1.8l at 17?

This was in the days before comparison sites and when people didnt get their knickers in a twist about "OMG more than a 1.2!!!". I phone around, talked to the companies, negotiated with them and got a policy for £1600. No fronting, nothing dodgy.

My second car was also a 1.8, Mondeo TD - the insurance came down to £1400 on that and I was still 17 at the time

Vigoro said:
Just because it is a big engine doesnt always mean it is quick. The car will be a lower risk as people will tend to avoid it due to the fact they think it is going to be expensive, so less young people drive them and then crash them. It is the same with all cars, and it depends on where you live and what the weather is like on the day as to how much you insurance will cost

The 8V 1.8 is reeeally slow actually and generally a bit poo

Cyanide · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:48

1.6l Hyundai Coupe, had it for 8 months before it met an untimely end at the hands of a street sign

Janesy B · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:49

Honda Civic with modifications in expensive insurance for 17 year old non shocker.

Sin_Chase · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:49

I had a Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia in burgundy.

Was it the best car ever? Nope.
Was it a looker? Nope
Was it fast? Nope.

But it was my first car and I loved it, I did not care what it looked like, how it drove or how fast it got to 60. It had leccy windows, heated windscreens and PAS. Cost me £500.

Vigoro · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:51

Wait a minute, thought you said you could insure it for £1050 in the other thread when you got it? :confused:

Howard · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:51

I had a Fiat Cinquecento. Thirty nine break horse power. Yeah, you heard me.

Nitrojan · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:52

Janesy B said:
Honda Civic with modifications in expensive insurance for 17 year old non shocker.

And don't I realise it now though!

I really wish I could afford to insure it.. I love it as a car.. and haven't even had the chance to use it properly (granted I haven't passed yet.. but you know).

Vigoro said:
Wait a minute, thought you said you could insure it for £1050 in the other thread when you got it?

Hmm yeah.. I really don't remember how I got that number.. :confused:

If only..

iaind · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:53

Lesson of the thread - modified cars that present a high risk because of image and typical owners = high insurance, regardless of engine size.

Standard cars that are a low risk because og image and typical owners = low insurance, regardless of engine size (to an extent

)

Nitrojan said:
And don't I realise it now though!

I really wish I could afford to insure it.. I love it as a car.. and haven't even had the chance to use it properly (granted I haven't passed yet.. but you know).

Insurance will be more expensive when you pass too

Howard · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:54

Can anyone else trump me as having the lowest horsepower first car?

Janesy B · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:56

Nitrojan said:
And don't I realise it now though!

I really wish I could afford to insure it.. I love it as a car.. and haven't even had the chance to use it properly (granted I haven't passed yet.. but you know).

Hmm yeah.. I really don't remember how I got that number.. If only..

Probably put down your licence as being provisional.

It's a bummer but you should check these things before buying a car

Nitrojan · 11 Dec 2009 at 19:58

Janesy B said:
Probably put down your licence as being provisional.

It's a bummer but you should check these things before buying a car

Now I have to look into another car.. and I know it's going to look like a piece of crap compared to what I have on my drive.. horrible situation lol

Any recommendations? :eek: