I have about 4.5k to spend on a car (19 yr old)

j4mi3

j4mi3

j4mi3

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No more than this really. This is my first car (passed my test last year and have been insured on my parents' since) so the first i can call my own. Alas, the insurance will be fairly high, however the rents have agreed to donate (probably about half of the cost) towards it.

I want a fast, yet reasonably practical hatchback.

I only started researching 3 days ago and I think I have come to some good conclusions on which cars to go for but need your help

1) fiesta st. I want one in white with blue stripes, unfortunately these are about £700 more than any other colour going on autotrader

2)suzuki swift sport (the 06 version)

3) renultsport clio (unsure of which version to go for)



now from what I have researched, the fiest st is a good balance between speed and quality. Decently fast, and also a nice interior. It also looks good.

the suzuki is the slower of the three, but it handles better than the fiesta. I also like the dual exhaust on the suzuki

the clio is the fastest and the best handling of the lot, but has rubbish build quality. Moreover, it is also the most expensive of the lot, and possibly too expensive for my budget


so yeah what do you think of the options, and which clio model would you choose (provided it would work with my budget which is probs wont)


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OFFICIAL UPDATE!!!

BOUGHT A 2001 FIESTA ZETEC S, WENT AND TRIED IT OUT AND EVERYTHING, WAS PRETTY GOOD FOR THE PRICE

has nice wheels, only 44k miles, everything seemed to be in good condition. it has had a new exhaust put on (which sounds pretty nice) and as a bonus it has tinted windows and a sunroof, however no A/C

he did it for £1900, and insurance is about the same.

he said it has had 2 owners, a policeman, who sold it to a young guy as his first car (he bought it at 20k)


23GeM.png


I will be picking it up tomorrow.

Just want to thank everyone for their input. I would probably not have thought of getting the zetec s otherwise.

Thank you again
 
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So do you have £4.5k to spend on car+insurance?

If so you are going to struggle to get a Fiesta ST in that budget.

Personally I would get a slow hatchback for now, and then when you're about 21, upgrade.

Do you mind me asking what you currently drive?
 
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right seriously

try them, for me the Fiesta has an odd driving position, far too high but is a good middle of road car, dont pay nearly 20% extra for colour choice though, blue with white looks as good

no experience of the swift but you don't often hear a bad word about them

Clio, I can imagine running costs being much higher but prob the best car, what are your prioritirs ?
 
flibbage0 said:
So do you have £4.5k to spend on car+insurance?

If so you are going to struggle to get a Fiesta ST in that budget.

Personally I would get a slow hatchback for now, and then when you're about 21, upgrade.
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no 4.5 is just the car

and my parents are willing to pay half the insurance

there are a ton of fiesta sts on autotrader for around 3.5k, with less than 50k miles on them, which quite frankly suits me

and I couldn't live with having a slow hatchback it would drive me insane. When I was going out practising with my rents (aside from lessons) we drove our 1.6 ford fusion. That was ok, but not powerful enough

don't even get me started on the bloody fiat 500 i did my test in :p
 
You have checked insurance quotes for all of these right? Age 19 and the prefix's of "ST" or "Sport" do not go well together on insurance if it's your own policy.
 
i would be massively surprised if they insure you on any of those for a reasonable amount of money.

what insurance quotes have you had on the cars you listed?
 
Voxination said:
You have checked insurance quotes for all of these right? Age 19 and the prefix's of "ST" or "Sport" do not go well together on insurance if it's your own policy.
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sure did.


cliosport 197 cup - £4112,80

ST - £3287

Swift - £2675


pretty much how it stacks up. I know they will look like really high figures to you guys, but remember ill only be paying half, and also it is my first car so its to be expected

the swift is with this company called insurethebox.com hence why its so cheap

afaik it is designed for people doing hardly any miles per year (aka me). they put a lil comp in your car to make sure you aren't doing more miles than your alloted amount. if you drive safely you get more miles available to you.
 
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j4mi3 said:
sure did.


cliosport 197 cup - £4112,80

ST - £3287

Swift - £2675


pretty much how it stacks up. I know they will look like really high figures to you guys, but remember ill only be paying half, and also it is my first car so its to be expected
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even half the clio price is mental , get the swift , build your NCB and have fun
 
3287 on your own policy? If so that is not that stupid.

I honestly wouldnt buy the ST as your first car though, you have 1 years experience and are likely to bend it within a few months...
 
Can I throw a spanner in the works here and suggest the OP looks at Fiesta Zetec Sports as opposed to the Sporting Trophy model. Perhaps the looks would suffice for the year or so it takes to build up NCB and make another purchase?

I'm sure the fuel consumption and tax costs (on the diesel variant) will also aid in the saving process along with the huge insurance savings as well. He should be able to pick up a fairly decent MK6 facelift given his budget.
 
23JMZ07 said:
3287 on your own policy? If so that is not that stupid.

I honestly wouldnt buy the ST as your first car though, you have 1 years experience and are likely to bend it within a few months...
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That's what i though. but is another 1k stupid if it means i get the 197 cup? :p

meh i'd be happy taking the fiesta tbh. I am pretty cautious driver. I just like having the power on tap.

Sonea Fifer said:
Can I throw a spanner in the works here and suggest the OP looks at Fiesta Zetec Sports as opposed to the Sporting Trophy model. Perhaps the looks would suffice for the year or so it takes to build up NCB and make another purchase?

I'm sure the fuel consumption and tax costs (on the diesel variant) will also aid in the saving process along with the huge insurance savings as well. He should be able to pick up a fairly decent MK6 facelift given his budget.
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the cost of fuel doesn't really bother me too much. the miles i will be driving (likely less than 7k a year) means it won't be that big of a deal
 
j4mi3 said:
sure did.


cliosport 197 cup - £4112,80

ST - £3287

Swift - £2675


pretty much how it stacks up. I know they will look like really high figures to you guys, but remember ill only be paying half, and also it is my first car so its to be expected

the swift is with this company called insurethebox.com hence why its so cheap

afaik it is designed for people doing hardly any miles per year (aka me). they put a lil comp in your car to make sure you aren't doing more miles than your alloted amount. if you drive safely you get more miles available to you.
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Jesus ******* christ :eek:

This is why I was glad I got my license and held onto it for a few years before having to insure a car. Even holding it 3 years seemed to make a difference and by that time I was older.

I'd get something with less power and enjoy having some spare cash to play with as you'll no doubt try daft stuff in your own car and regret ruining a nice car.
 
Jonny ///M said:
Jesus ******* christ :eek:

This is why I was glad I got my license and held onto it for a few years before having to insure a car. Even holding it 3 years seemed to make a difference and by that time I was older.

I'd get something with less power and enjoy having some spare cash to play with as you'll no doubt try daft stuff in your own car and regret ruining a nice car.
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Voxination said:
And I thought I was paying a lot.....
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lulz

the swift's 1.6 would be the smallest engine i would want tbh

the 2.6k for the swift is a good price, and i like the fact you don't see them often (i have never seen one) whereas you always see fiesta st
 
Have you checked what a focus would be to insure? The 2.0 isn't going to feel that slow at 19 but it does drink fuel. Talking about the ones that ran to 04 here.

More space for dem hoez too.
 
j4mi3 said:
cliosport 197 cup - £4112,80

ST - £3287

Swift - £2675
Click to expand...

Jesus .. I'm glad I passed my test 20 odd years ago when insurance was cheaper.. I've never paid more than £600.

I would build up a few years No claims discount before getting one of the sports models you mention.
 
Forget the "fast" bit of what you want at least for the first year. Even the lowest powered of your options would be too fast for you if you cant control it. Learn your basic driving techniques first, so I dont have to look out for you tearing around a 30mph bend at 50+

And dont forget, you say you will only pay half insurance. What about next year after you have had a prang in the car you obviously want to race around in. Are your "rents" whatever that is going to pay half then.
 
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