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

Clearly it isn't. There will be a statistical model that proves that less (expensive) claims are made for those particular set of parameters than otherwise.

The fact that there are many more 1.4 TFSI SEs on the roads (and have more claims as a result) than in the GT trim (of which there may be less and are also involved in less claims) is an obvious explanation, and many less GTIs than either of those models. Clearly the entire family of additional drivers will be massively weighing the risk in your favour (although I'd argue that even £800 for the year and having to buy a new car isn't that favourable - surely it would make more sense to get him a cheaper car and pay through the nose for insurance for a couple of years?).

Regarding the Yaris, again, there will be figures to prove that a woman (of her age, with her job, etc etc) living in that postcode area driving a 1.33 Yaris generates more of a risk from their point of view than the parameters for your son insured on the Golf.

It isn't rocket science, just multivariate statistics. Obviously without access to their info, the above is just a guess, but they don't just pull figures out of thin air as some people think they do.
 
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My first car was a Honda Jazz, it was 14 years old when I sold it and still running.

In the three years I owned it I had to replace the battery, all the tyres, and part of the exhaust. Cheap parts and reliable.
 
neocon said:
My first car was a Honda Jazz, it was 14 years old when I sold it and still running.

In the three years I owned it I had to replace the battery, all the tyres, and part of the exhaust. Cheap parts and reliable.
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Not sure how much you read, but mentioned my gf is looking for a car as well. I think the Honda Jazz sounds like the perfect car for her
 
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 :)
 
Thought about a Mazda2 07-2012 which should fit within the budget aswell?
Gear lever/gear knob is higher up than the usual, similar to the EP Civics and transit vans which makes changing gear easier and quite fun.
 
What about a little 1.2TCe Renault Twingo, Cheap to pick up, most likely cheap to run, great little car for learning parking and all that since it's tiny, if you're looking for a bit of fun i'd imagine 100bhp in a car weighing less than 1000kg will be fun to throw around.
 
Not necessarily looking for something fun - would prefer something well built and solid (i.e. doesn't feel like I'm on roller skates when doing 70 on the motorway :p)

Funnily enough just looked at insurance on a golf, and it's 1.4K :confused:
 
Did you look at any Ibizas? If you test drove a Polo and liked it you'll also like the Ibiza. Should be cheaper to buy also. Look around the level of 1.4se, that'll get you electric windows, air con and cruise control (not the tsi) trim if insurance isn't too stupid. Its also known as one of the most reliable engines in the range, which it has to be as you do still have to work it hard.
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
Did you look at any Ibizas? If you test drove a Polo and liked it you'll also like the Ibiza. Should be cheaper to buy also. Look around the level of 1.4se, that'll get you electric windows, air con and cruise control (not the tsi) trim if insurance isn't too stupid. Its also known as one of the most reliable engines in the range, which it has to be as you do still have to work it hard.
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I've given them a brief look, but wasn't sure on the reliability part.

Tbh, I think insurance is going to be expensive regardless, because of where I live and first time driver etc

I'll have a look at the model you've suggested - I imagine it'll be similarly priced to an equivalent fiesta and perhaps a little bit less than the polo
 
MrRockliffe said:
I've given them a brief look, but wasn't sure on the reliability part.

Tbh, I think insurance is going to be expensive regardless, because of where I live and first time driver etc

I'll have a look at the model you've suggested - I imagine it'll be similarly priced to an equivalent fiesta and perhaps a little bit less than the polo
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Its a VW Polo engine so if you are happy with Polo reliability, the Ibiza is no different :)
 
Ibiza is a good shout. I was looking at them for my wife when she passed her test. Ended up with a citroen c1, which to be fair is perfect. Small, cheap as anything to run, cheap insurance. Sorted.
 
Ibiza was a really good shout - lots available with very good mileage, and good extras, and cheaper, both to buy and insurance.

Looks like the winner so far.

Any ideas on the different SE models? SE vs SE Copa vs SE Chill
 
MrRockliffe said:
Ibiza was a really good shout - lots available with very good mileage, and good extras, and cheaper, both to buy and insurance.

Looks like the winner so far.

Any ideas on the different SE models? SE vs SE Copa vs SE Chill
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I think the Chill model comes with climate control over standard aircon.
It may also have the optional mount on top of the dashboard for the sat nav unit you can get for these. As for the Copa models, I'm not sure, they look to have the same stuff as the Chill but bigger alloys too and an auto dimming rear view mirror. Copa is probably the top end model but I'm not an expert, I just know you wont want to go lower than the SE trim.

Deffo compare the Ibiza's with equivalent Fiesta's though. Do remember with Seat servicing , main dealers charge the VW premium.
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
I think the Chill model comes with climate control over standard aircon.
It may also have the optional mount on top of the dashboard for the sat nav unit you can get for these. As for the Copa models, I'm not sure, they look to have the same stuff as the Chill but bigger alloys too and an auto dimming rear view mirror. Copa is probably the top end model but I'm not an expert, I just know you wont want to go lower than the SE trim.
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Thanks for the info - found a couple of really decent value cars, and as mentioned above, they're cheaper on insurance too :)
 
As already alluded to, look for some random choices and spend a few hours entering registrations into a comparison site, I know of a 19 year old girl who’s just changed her 206 for a Mondeo as the insurance was £350 cheaper on it despite it having a much bigger engine(!)

Shivy011 said:
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat
Insurance is so dumb.
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Agreed, I can insure a 750i V12 of the same age and mileage for less than my current 735i V8 and an e39 M5 for approximately £35 more despite it having nearly double the horsepower.

Absolutely bonkers.
 
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