£5k car for a 20 year old...

miikeeyy92 · 21 Jun 2013 at 12:58

Any ideas on cars around £5k, with reasonable insurance?

I was thinking classic mini, but you don't get much car for your money. Don't really fancy a clio or a corsa or anything too generic!

Edit: No girly cars

Janesy B · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:01

Be a bit more specific about what you want/need from a car.

miikeeyy92 · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:04

Janesy B said:
Be a bit more specific about what you want/need from a car.

No specific needs apart from needing to get me from A to B really. I do like small nippy light cars however. Although I could be persuaded by something german, if its okay to insure.

mccarf · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:11

Suzuki Swift Sport, not exactly rare but not quite as common as Clio/Fiesta etc imo. Fills your "small nippy light car" criteria too

the_r_sole · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:12

miikeeyy92 said:
Any ideas on cars around £5k

miikeeyy92 said:
I was thinking classic mini, but you don't get much car for your money.

you are clearly looking in the wrong places, you could buy a cracker for that money!

miikeeyy92 · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:20

the_r_sole said:
you are clearly looking in the wrong places, you could buy a cracker for that money!

Was only a thought as insurance was £400, plus I do like them. Theres loads of nice cars out there for the money, its just a balancing act with the car and insurance!

Blackhawk47 · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:31

With the mini, at least it is a pretty safe purchase. The prices slowly keep going up.

Polo might be worth a look if you want german.

GravyMonster · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:41

mccarf said:
Suzuki Swift Sport, not exactly rare but not quite as common as Clio/Fiesta etc imo. Fills your "small nippy light car" criteria too

I'd agree with this - try this one

Janesy B · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:44

I'd take a swift over an old mini.

miikeeyy92 · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:48

Blackhawk47 said:
With the mini, at least it is a pretty safe purchase. The prices slowly keep going up.

Don't get much for your money though!

mccarf said:
Suzuki Swift Sport, not exactly rare but not quite as common as Clio/Fiesta etc imo. Fills your "small nippy light car" criteria too

Thats probably a better option, but to me they seem a bit girly? Guess I can't really say after saying I like classic minis!

Blackhawk47 said:
Polo might be worth a look if you want german.

What age polo do you think? A friend of mine had an old G40, which was fantastic!

wingman · 21 Jun 2013 at 13:53

miikeeyy92 said:
Don't get much for your money though!

You're getting a car that you like the look of and pretty much fills your criteria, and in depreciation is terms is pretty much bullet proof.

How are you not getting much for your money? :rolleyes:

mccarf · 21 Jun 2013 at 14:03

miikeeyy92 said:
Thats probably a better option, but to me they seem a bit girly? Guess I can't really say after saying I like classic minis

Come on now, your OP didn't say anything about "no girly cars"

. I still think you should check one out in real life + have a test drive though, before you write it off completely.

Oh and if you're considering something common like a polo, then I'll also throw in the suggestion of a Fiesta Zetec S

miikeeyy92 · 21 Jun 2013 at 14:06

mccarf said:
Come on now, your OP didn't say anything about "no girly cars" . I still think you should check one out in real life + have a test drive though, before you write it off completely.

Fixed that for you

Ill give one a go

wingman said:
You're getting a car that you like the look of and pretty much fills your criteria, and in depreciation is terms is pretty much bullet proof.

How are you not getting much for your money?

Very true.

the_r_sole · 21 Jun 2013 at 14:13

if you are minded for one, a classic mini is a great car for a young person - sensation of speed/no driving aids help you learn, simple as it gets mechanically so you can learn the basics that way(spares are cheap) and every mechanic you speak to knows them - also people love them and it's a talking point for everyone, you don't get the same reaction in any other car

Janesy B · 21 Jun 2013 at 14:14

wingman said:
You're getting a car that you like the look of and pretty much fills your criteria, and in depreciation is terms is pretty much bullet proof.

How are you not getting much for your money?

Compared to what else you can buy with the money probably? They might hold their money but you have to keep on top of rot (even blackhawk's clean looking one started to go) which can be costly to repair. That won't be an issue with a modern Fiesta/Polo etc.

You're not getting much for you're money because you're spending 5 grand on a car that's a fifty year old design, with a crude engine and little or no specification other than windows and seats.

the_r_sole · 21 Jun 2013 at 14:17

Janesy B said:
You're not getting much for you're money because you're spending 5 grand on a car that's a fifty year old design, with a crude engine and little or no specification other than windows and seats.

I wouldn't spend 5k on a mini, plenty of good examples for half that money at the moment - the rust monster is an issue, just do your research...

Blackhawk47 · 21 Jun 2013 at 16:00

If OP has a garage to keep it in and really wants a classic mini, then go for it. It's hardly a 'crude' engine. OP just be extra careful when viewing, look for rusty subframes etc, there will be fantastic examples out there for £5k. I see loads of nice looking ones advertised on piston heads. Also go for the MPI engine (fuel injection).

Mine was pretty reliable when driving it day to day (all weathers), just got to the stage where certain things needed to be replaced because a) it was being driven more than it had been in the past and b) it is 16 years old. I no longer drive it and it is kept in the garage and given a short drive by my dad every weekend or so, personally I think it could sell for decent money but I can't see my dad ever parting with it - unless he was getting another classic car.

Not sure what sort 'specification' you think he can get out of a 15 year old fiesta janesy, but hey prove me wrong.

NathWraith · 21 Jun 2013 at 16:04

SUPRA

Janesy B · 21 Jun 2013 at 16:09

Blackhawk47 said:
Not sure what sort 'specification' you think he can get out of a 15 year old fiesta janesy, but hey prove me wrong.

I am quite sure that 5k gets you a fairly recent Fiesta, not a 15 year old one... Quite why we are even talking about a 15 year old Fiesta when we're working with a 5k budget is beyond me.

Nor was I recommending a Fiesta for that matter. Merely making a point that it is worth considering it is an older car and you have to be a bit more careful. They don't really represent great value for money either if you look at them objectively, but if you really want a classic mini it won't bother you. No need to take what I post so personally and get bent out of shape.

Blackhawk47 · 21 Jun 2013 at 16:11

NathWraith said:
SUPRA

lol.