Advice for getting a first car?

Mark A

Mark A

Mark A

Soldato
Joined
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Lancashire
Hi,

I'm 24 and just passed my driving test a few weeks ago, i completed my Pass Plus on Saturday so I'm now looking for a suitable first car. Ive had a look on here and there seems to be a pattern emerging when it comes to first car recommends, the Fiesta 1.25 :D .

The thing is Ive been learning in a Focus 1.8 turbo diesel and a Focus 1.6 turbo diesel (new model), also drove a Astra diesel to take my first test in and the most recent was a new model Fiesta diesel (not sure of the engine size etc). If i got a Fiesta 1.25 for say £1000 1999 model, would that feel really gutless compared to the cars Ive been learning in?. Also I'm 6'1" so I'll need a car with a fair bit of leg room.

From getting a few quotes Ive found that most cars up to 1.6 (petrol) come out at £780 TPTT so I'm not restricted to a smaller engine.

Price wise i was thinking around the £1500 mark, maybe £2000 tops, not inc insurance.

I'm really not clued up on cars and haven't got a clue whats a good car etc. So far Ive been thinking of getting a Focus 1.6 petrol or a Renault Megane coupe 16v.

Any suggestions on cars i should look out for?.

TIA
 
Don't get a Meganne.

The Fiesta 1.25 is a good first car. The 1.25 engine is pretty nippy, most probably as nippy as the 1.6 Focus as the focus is a bigger & heavier car.

If you want a diesel take a look at 306 1.9 D Turbos. Noisy yes, cheap to insure yes, screw mod YES.

You will not pick up any focus for £2k unless it's done moon mileage and been written off.
 
I'd recommend a 1.25 16v Fiesta Zetec too, been my first car and served me well for 3 years, never skipped a beat. Cheap servicing costs, reliable, nippy for what it is and with the Zetec trim it looks ok(ish). Can be picked up dirt cheap.

If you want to spend a wee bit more in terms of initial outlay and insurance costs you could get a Zetec S, same plus points as the normal Zetec but a bit faster and looks better. Example here http://pistonheads.co.uk/SALES/198361.htm
 
Thanks for your reply, ill look into Fiestas a bit more then i think. Whats the leg room like in the older Fiestas?. Ive seen a fair few models on autotrader, LX, Zetec etc, is there a certain model to look out for?.

EDIT, that zetec s does look pretty good actually but its a bit out of my price range. I'm hoping to build up a few years no claims as cheaply as possible then get a Civic type R :cool: .

EDIT 2, FORD Fiesta 1.25 Zetec , 3 Doors, Manual 5 speed, Hatchback, Petrol, 1998 R Reg , 72,000 miles, Green, MOT-05-2008. Adjustable Seat Height, Air Bag, Alloys, Anti-Lock Brakes, Catalytic Converter, Central Door Locking, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Clock, Full main dealer history, Heated Rear Screen, One lady owner, Power-Assisted Steering, Rear Wash/Wipe+Luggage Cover, White dash dials, Cloth upholstery, Head restraints, Body Coloured Bumpers. Insurance Group:6, LOVELY CAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ANY TRIAL/INSPECTION WELCOME, PX, FINANCE AND WARRANTIES AT SCREEN PRICE. HPI CLEAR REPORT AVAILABLE.

Does that look like an OK deal?, is that mileage high for this type of car or should i plum for lower mileage and up my budget to £2k?.
 
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Can’t comment on the leg room really, I’m 5'10 and while its by no means big inside it is reasonably comfortable. Best bet is to go view some and get the a test drive or two and see what you think. Not really sure on models etc but as long as it has the 1.25 16v zetec engine you should be pretty sorted.

Oh and I drove my mates 1.6 Astra and cant really say it felt much faster than the fiesta, was a bit more comfortable and I guess would be better on the motorway but it felt pretty gutless, you might find it more comfortable than the fiesta but id go for a focus over the astra if you find the fez too small.

Join the club mate, I’m on the Type R (integra) hunt too at the moment :D


*edit* what you found seems ok, no real way of knowing unless you get to have a look at it and take it for a spin.

When I sell mine it will have around 45k on the clock that’s a 2000 plate with some light scratches (vandals) for around 1.5k, just to give you an idea. Keep hunting though I’m sure there are some bargains around
 
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Cheers, i might go and view this car next week if its still up for sale. I found that the new Fiesta i drove on my second part of the pass plus had ample leg room but it does look bigger than the older Fiestas.
 
Another vote for Fiesta mark4 1.25. Had one myself as first car, and as already mentioned, was reliable and cheap to run :)
 
Sorry for hi-jacking the thread, but how would the fiesta be for a 6 foot 3 guy with size 14 feet? :D Fancy one of these myself for my first car, only heard good things really.

I know what i have to do is actually go and sit in 1, just need an idea whether its even worth bothering about.
 
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deko said:
Sorry for hi-jacking the thread, but how would the fiesta be for a 6 foot 3 guy with size 14 feet? :D Fancy one of these myself for my first car, only heard good things really.

I know what i have to do is actually go and sit in 1, just need an idea whether its even worth bothering about.
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Get a mondeo lol
 
I could do with an answer to that as well, well I'm size 11 feet.

How does the Renault Clio compare to the Fiesta?. My brother keeps telling me to get a Clio but I'm not keen on the bubble looks of it.
 
digitalwolf said:
You won't get a bubble clio for £1500 i'm afraid.

Mk1 yes.
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Theres loads on auto trader. By bubble i mean the rear window looks like a bubble.

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This one is £1500, with 80,000 miles though. I dont like the looks anyway just wanted to know how they compared to the Fiesta.
 
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I think I'm going to go for the Fiesta now but just have a few questions.

Ive read that the back seats are a bit cramped, is the 5 door any better?. Is it so cramped that an adult wont fit in the back?.

Which version would be better to go for, the 95-99 or 99-02?. From looking on Parkers they seem pretty evenly matched in terms of performance but the 99-02 look better IMO.

Thanks in Advance
 
The back seats aren’t exactly big but I’ve managed to fit 3 mates in the back many times, its a bit cramped and I wouldn’t recommend it for a long journey but lifts into town etc its fine. With 2 there is plenty of room. My mate had a 5 door and it didn’t really seem that much bigger in the back.

I would go for the newer 99-02, although if you find an older one in perfect nick no reason not to go for that.

Personally I don’t like the Clio and the whole French reliability issue puts me off, prefer the looks of the fez too. I would say all round the fez is the better car.
 
Im 6 foot 4 and fit in a 95 fiesta ok, with size 11 feet, wont fit anyone in the seat behind though lol
Did a 300mile trip not long ago and it was quite comfortable, try get a car with A/C though :)
 
I'm a 6'1" 18st lump with size 10 feet, and had a mark 4 Fiesta 1.25 for 5 years.
Ok, I'd never go back to one, but it was adequate.
 
I got my first car the other month, It is a T-reg astra 1.6 only had 20,000 on the clock so i was a bit lucky there. The insurance costs me £600 full comp. Plus i can quite easily fit 5men in the car.
 
mjer1984 said:
I got my first car the other month, It is a T-reg astra 1.6 only had 20,000 on the clock so i was a bit lucky there. The insurance costs me £600 full comp. Plus i can quite easily fit 5men in the car.
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£600 fully comp :eek: , wheres that from?.

Thanks for all the help, I'll go and have a play with one before i buy, but at least i know I'm not barking up the wrong tree now. Think I'll go for the 99-02 then as i think the grill looks so much better than the oval one on the older model.

Cheers
 
Mark A said:
£600 fully comp :eek: , wheres that from?.

Thanks for all the help, I'll go and have a play with one before i buy, but at least i know I'm not barking up the wrong tree now. Think I'll go for the 99-02 then as i think the grill looks so much better than the oval one on the older model.

Cheers
Click to expand...

My first car was (is) a Fiesta 1.25 Si, my insurance is £568 Full comp. with Tesco. :D

(I'm 22 btw)
 
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