1st time buyer

fenderbass86 · 22 Mar 2006 at 22:02

Hi all, I'm 19 and on the look out for my first car, only have a budget of £1000 max, preferably less. I've been looking on Autotraders at Ford Escort's and Rover 400's, I don't really want a hatchback, well not a 2 door hatchback anyway. Can anyone suggest anything different?

Lopéz · 22 Mar 2006 at 22:08

Although you might think you want something a bit different (I did at 17, still do now

) the most sensible options are usually the most run of the mill cars you can find - Cavaliers, Escorts, Mondeos and so forth.
The Rover 200/400 isn't an inherently bad design but the K-series does have a reputation for suffering expensive and recurring head gasket failure - so myabe keep an eye out for the Honda engined ones. I think the single cam ones are okay too though a Rover bod might need to verify that.

You'll get more bang per buck by going bigger (Mondeo, Cavalier, avoid Vectra due to quite suspect reliability) but this will mean having a bigger engine to haul it all and that may have an effect on your insurance.

fenderbass86 · 22 Mar 2006 at 22:14

Thanks for the reply, I think i'm sold on an Escort, just need to find one with an engine of 1.4 or less.

Lopéz · 22 Mar 2006 at 22:16

Unfortunately both the 1.3 (HCS/Endura) and 1.4 (CVH) are generally outdated, rough and prone to wear.

They will be cheap though

Firestar_3x · 22 Mar 2006 at 22:17

Tbh i would prefer a Cavalier or Mondeo to an escort, better car in every respect and can be had for the same money, also note engine size isn't the be all and end all for insurance prices

smokey · 22 Mar 2006 at 22:27

Firestar_3x said:
Tbh i would prefer a Cavalier or Mondeo to an escort, better car in every respect and can be had for the same money, also note engine size isn't the be all and end all for insurance prices

true, you can get a diesel Skoda Fabia 51 plate+ for £3k and that's insurance group 2.

OK, not what you're after but you get the point! try looking at http://www.abi.org.uk/carinsurance/search.asp - you can see what insurance groups cars are there and adjust accordingly!