First Car

Patriach · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:08

Hi there.

Im looking to purchase my 1st car, Ive just started taking lessons, there expensive :eek:

. But ive got £500 saved up for a 1st car. I would like to be insured on my parents car, but i highly doubt i will ever get insured (Mitsubishi L200 Trojan & Vauxhall Vectra).

I have no idea what to look for, other than i want some speed...but not so much ill top me-sen. I would also like to take part in Auto-Solo's, so under a 1.4 is a MUST!

EDIT: Also, i dont want anything unreliable, i havnt got deep pockets! Good condish is also a good thing needed, if possible for £500!

Berger · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:09

205 XS?

ic0n · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:17

500 is not much as a lot of cheap cars are getting scrapped due to gov scrapage thing

best bet if most important thing for you is price look round garages at the back where they keep the cheap stuff and ask them to give you a call if they get something in for 500

as for what car i would say saxo or 106 something small and light for speed no point getting something big and fat like a polo as with a 1.1L engine its not going to move

but sorry to say unless u go get a 1.4-1.6 your not going to be that fast

Patriach · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:17

Hmm...To be fairly honest, im not that keen on the Peugeot 205's, they look to boxy :/

Are Punto's worth having a ganders at?

Hxc · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:18

Patriach said:
Hmm...To be fairly honest, im not that keen on the Peugeot 205's, they look to boxy :/

With £500 you can't be picky, mate.

Patriach · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:18

ic0n said:
500 is not much as a lot of cheap cars are getting scrapped due to gov scrapage thing

best bet if most important thing for you is price look round garages at the back where they keep the cheap stuff and ask them to give you a call if they get something in for 500

as for what car i would say saxo or 106 something small and light for speed no point getting something big and fat like a polo as with a 1.1L engine its not going to move

but sorry to say unless u go get a 1.4-1.6 your not going to be that fast

I dont really want out and out speed, but i want lightness and acceleration.

[TW]Fox · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:19

Patriach said:
I dont really want out and out speed, but i want lightness and acceleration.

You really need a 205 XS or AX GT.

Begbie · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:21

1.4 astra, corsa, 1.25 fez.

Patriach · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:52

I have been told to buy a Suzuki Swift GTi, but there around £600 out of my budget, but are they worth the extra dough?

Janesy B · 1 Sep 2009 at 23:59

No.

As said, AX GT or 205 XS.

Patriach · 2 Sep 2009 at 00:04

Janesy B said:
No.

As said, AX GT or 205 XS.

And what sites should i look for these on? Ive tried Ebay to no avail, and pistonheads doesnt have a great selection.

Dunks · 2 Sep 2009 at 00:06

Autotrader.

InvaderGIR · 2 Sep 2009 at 00:09

DunK1 said:
Autotrader.

None on there either, just had a quick gander.

Seems they aren't about.

To be honest, if I was was the OP I'd just find a small light car with a 1.3 / 1.4 engine and buy it.

Patriach · 2 Sep 2009 at 00:14

InvaderGIR said:
None on there either, just had a quick gander.

Seems they aren't about.

To be honest, if I was was the OP I'd just find a small light car with a 1.3 / 1.4 engine and buy it.

Thing is, im not sure whats small and quite light with a 1.3/1.4 engine, other than the Swift GTI ive been told to get, but its WAAAY out of my price range.

Thomas. PLease. · 2 Sep 2009 at 00:24

106 xsi

miniyazz · 2 Sep 2009 at 01:05

Patriach said:
Are Punto's worth having a ganders at?

Thought you wan't something reliable

Puntos aren't that!

Begbie said:
1.4 astra

lol

Small engine + acceleration needs a small/light chassis, obviously, so you probably want a small hatchback. Shop around, check ebay, etc - probably for anything in your budget, as long as it's a small hatchback. My 106 was £550, so there are bargains out there.

Also consider grannymobiles of the daihatsu etc makes - especially if you're paying for insurance, as they can be quite cheap as they have no boy-racer image.

I wouldn't buy a car til you've passed your test though. If you don't pass for whatever reason you'll be taxing it and insuring it for months without it getting any real use.

paradigm · 2 Sep 2009 at 08:08

Patriach said:
the Swift GTI ive been told to get, but its WAAAY out of my price range.

WAAAAY out of your price range? You said it was £600, you have £500. Can't be difficult to find £100 can it?

K.C. Leblanc · 2 Sep 2009 at 08:17

Have you looked at the price of insurance, this is going to be more then the cost of the car. The difference between different cars could easily be over £100. I suspect the Suzuki will be more to insure then a Pug or an AX.

But really for £500 you can't be picky unless you either want to buy a lemon or spend ages looking for the right car.

BD10NNF · 2 Sep 2009 at 08:27

get a nova. they are normally cheap now and will feel fast cause they are like go karts. Theres a few on autotrader for less than £500 or you could get a 106

Patriach · 2 Sep 2009 at 09:17

paradigm said:
WAAAAY out of your price range? You said it was £600, you have £500. Can't be difficult to find £100 can it?

They look to be about £1100, so its £600 out of my price range.

Ill look into the 106 and Novas.