What's a decent first car for a 22 year old? [Updated]

MrRockliffe

MrRockliffe

MrRockliffe

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https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/32172384


Update

Wanted to update this thread, as I've just started driving lessons again (took me a while to pluck up the courage!)

Anyhow, I've now committed to it fully, by booking 20 hours worth of lessons. I'm also looking at cars again, and trying to get a feel for what's on the market.

Now that I've got a full time job, I can afford to put a little more towards a car.

I'm looking at a circa 4K budget, but can realistically go to 4.5 for the right car.


I've narrowed it down to 2 choices so far of cars that I really like. What I'm keeping in mind as well, is not just the initial outlay, but also the cost of running the car.

The two cars I'm looking at are:

  • Fiesta Zetec S (or any fiesta with the sportier body kit of the Zetec S)
  • VW Polo 5 door

I'm aware there are probably "better" cars, but these are, so far, the ones I like.

I do also quite like the Seat Ibiza, but haven't looked into pricing all that much yet, so not sure if it's feasible.

Insurance is the big killer here - to insure the Polo here in Hampshire, I'm looking at 1.5K (annually), and that's putting my mother down as a named driver, and with 6K miles PA (I walk to work). The Polo is a little less at 1.4K


My question is, are there any gems I've missed? Not into boy racer type cars, just happen to like fiesta with the body kit :)




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So your starting from a good point, Polo is a great first car

Small car, far less likely to reverse into something when parking etc if its small
Try to keep an eye out for visibility so ensure you feel comfortable you can see out of it well, particularly when going backwards
Don't buy diesel if low mileage journeys, but consider it if doing longer ones

Don't go auto on a small engine if you can avoid

Any of the direct competitors will be similar, although the more prestige the marque the older / higher mileage you will need to consider

Lastly I was told in early days go younger higher mileage than older lower mileage (within reason), I still believe that makes sense
 
Since your budget is 4k, you'll want to look for something that's cheap to insure. Relatively young, first car, insurance will be high. Run some quotes with different cars and see how they fare.
 
with 0 NCD the insurance will sting, and it's based a lot on your postcode, so you'll have to plug a LOAD of different options into comparison websites to see what's affordable, or not.

1st car - generally something small is good, makes parking, visibility and maneuvering easier, at the expense of safety and stability on motorways. if you're not likely to use the motorway much the something small like a Yaris is ideal, but something a little bigger like a Polo or Fiesta will be a little more comfortable. Lots of motorway use and a Focus/Golf size is probably arguable.

At the end of the day, anything that's good for 1st cars and learners will likely have higher insurance costs, due to the higher risk with more new drivers using them. So, start with something smallish that you like the look of, with a small-ish engine 1.0 to 1.2 would suite, go to a car car supermarket an test drive some. Saying that, the 1.0 Fiesta is meant to be a great little car.
 
Here, buy this.

Engine is absolutely bulletproof, costs a nickel and dime to insure and run (insurance group 8), can park in small spaces, low mileage, MOT, and incredibly fun to drive for what they are.

Put the rest of your budget in a savings account or ISA and enjoy it later on when you buy a house or whatever :)
 
The idea is to buy something I really like, if possible.

My reasoning behind this is I won't have an upgrade itch. I've found that over the years, when I settle for second best, whether it's a TV or a new laptop, I get an itch to upgrade after a month or so.

I really like the design of the new fiesta (well, 2009 onwards), but not a fan of the old one at all.

I'm sure, as you say, it would be bullet proof. But I love my cars (even if I'm not a huge fan of driving them), and the fiesta listed doesn't quite do it for me.

Though, will definitely take it into consideration, as it's a fair bit cheaper than a 2010/11 polo!

Edit: in terms of driving distance, I'll be living somewhere in the South East (Surrey or Hampshire), and commuting all around the area.
 
Diddums said:
Here, buy this.

Engine is absolutely bulletproof, costs a nickel and dime to insure and run (insurance group 8), can park in small spaces, low mileage, MOT, and incredibly fun to drive for what they are.

Put the rest of your budget in a savings account or ISA and enjoy it later on when you buy a house or whatever :)
Click to expand...

Damn nice looking car for the money that
 
MrRockliffe said:
The idea is to buy something I really like, if possible.

My reasoning behind this is I won't have an upgrade itch. I've found that over the years, when I settle for second best, whether it's a TV or a new laptop, I get an itch to upgrade after a month or so.

I really like the design of the new fiesta (well, 2009 onwards), but not a fan of the old one at all.

I'm sure, as you say, it would be bullet proof. But I love my cars (even if I'm not a huge fan of driving them), and the fiesta listed doesn't quite do it for me.

Though, will definitely take it into consideration, as it's a fair bit cheaper than a 2010/11 polo!

Edit: in terms of driving distance, I'll be living somewhere in the South East (Surrey or Hampshire), and commuting all around the area.
Click to expand...

You will always love and loath your first car

You love it because it changes your life, kind of like your first serious girlfirend ;)
You eventually loath it because you have the 1.1 and they make the same car in a GTi, or turbo or something. (Based on you saying you love cars)
 
Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
You will always love and loath your first car

You love it because it changes your life, kind of like your first serious girlfirend ;)
You eventually loath it because you have the 1.1 and they make the same car in a GTi, or turbo or something. (Based on you saying you love cars)
Click to expand...
This is true :p

Still, fell in love with the quality of VWs when on holiday during the summer - I was pleasantly surprised by how good the Polo was considering it was one of the cheaper models! Comfy seats, quiet (relatively) cabin.

Compared to my mates 1.6 fiesta, felt like a fancy pants car.

Don't get me wrong, I bet engine wise, they're probably remarkably similar.
 
Diddums said:
Here, buy this.

Engine is absolutely bulletproof, costs a nickel and dime to insure and run (insurance group 8), can park in small spaces, low mileage, MOT, and incredibly fun to drive for what they are.

Put the rest of your budget in a savings account or ISA and enjoy it later on when you buy a house or whatever :)
Click to expand...

Wow, is that really what 11 year old Fiestas go for now?
 
TheVoice said:
Wow, is that really what 11 year old Fiestas go for now?
Click to expand...


Well, you could probably pick it up for half that but this one does seem to be very well looked after with low mileage. I think at the OP's budget the main aim is to avoid a shed.
 
I drive a 1.25 fiesta at 19 atm with 1 year NCB, it's a 5 door mk6 like the one linked and yes I hate it and love it :P Insurance is ~£750
It's too slow for A road and motorway, annoyingly slow, really annoying
but it's great in town and down small B roads as it's nice and narrow, and really good fun to drive. Revvy little engine too
 
If you (or your girlfriend) can live with the image, then a Honda Jazz is another option.

May be slightly cheaper on insurance, as less common as a "first car", Honda reliability, and similar "quality" feel to a Polo. Decent amount of kit on the EX trim models (e.g. Cruise control, climate, auto wipers, panoramic roof etc)

Something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708238604708

Believe the Automatics are also reasonably good, although there is an issue if the incorrect gearbox fluid has been used, so would probably only consider one with Honda service history.
 
Armageus said:
If you (or your girlfriend) can live with the image, then a Honda Jazz is another option.

May be slightly cheaper on insurance, as less common as a "first car", Honda reliability, and similar "quality" feel to a Polo. Decent amount of kit on the EX trim models (e.g. Cruise control, climate, auto wipers, panoramic roof etc)

Something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708238604708

Believe the Automatics are also reasonably good, although there is an issue if the incorrect gearbox fluid has been used, so would probably only consider one with Honda service history.
Click to expand...


Jazz are basically the cockroaches of the car world. Go on forever, can handle moon mileage and will survive the apocalypse. Their image though... yuk :p



(good shout though)
 
You must be able to pick up a decent 2009+ fiesta for £4k or less now surely? Can't imagine ours is worth more than £5k and it's a late 2011 car with relatively low miles.

Also wouldn't be surprised if they were one of the more expensive small cars to insure mind you.

We also have the older model in the family too and it's been zero hassle, though as above it was bought at a relative premium (similar money if not a bit more to the one linked) compare to what you "could" buy one for.

As for buying something you really like - if you're remotely interested in cars a fiesta / jazz / polo etc will never cut it for long so work on the most acceptable balance of image, likely reliability and insurance cost you can handle.

Jazz is a very good shout
 
Go with your heart young man.

If you really like the Polo I'd just go for it, anything else is likely to leave you disappointed
 
My girlfriend isn't fussed at all at image. So the Jazz may be an excellent shout for her.

I on the other hand... Snobby southerner :rolleyes::p

Edit:

Will take a look at the Ibiza.

Will be used for motorways to and from family between Cardiff and Worthing area. And of course wherever I'm living
 
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