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Don't know what to start with..

LadFromWales

LadFromWales

LadFromWales

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Joined
14 Oct 2005
Posts
2,014
Location
Pembrokeshire
Hey guys.

This probably isn't the forum to ask questions like this (or is it! :D) but I should be driving soon, and need a car, but which.

I've seen a Ford Escort 1.6 X eg for £1600 with lots of bells and whistles, low milage, excellent condition, insurance isn't too bad at just a bit over £900, but can I get better for my money?

I'd love a Focus, but it looks like they cost a lot, even second hand. I have about 3k or so to spend, but could possibly use that as a deposit and finance the rest if required? I'd kill for a Focus ST in Electric Orange, but that'd be too expensive, and the insurance would be through the roof!

I am pretty much open to any ideas and brands. Like most young lads, I want something quick, looks good, not too fussed about the fuel consumption.

Cheers for any ideas or suggestions :)
 
Tesla said:
Why are you looking at 1.6 Escorts then?
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Agreed, and I've owned two. They were quick compared to my friend's cars at the time, but they drove 1.1 Punto's and Fiestas.

Get a 1.8i 16v Xsara if you are in to that sort of price range, size and image of car with reasonable insurance - it was much faster than the Escort.
 
Tesla said:
Why are you looking at 1.6 Escorts then?
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lol!

have you thought about the 1.25l fiesta? (its pretty mingin but pretty nippy for a first car :)

I dont know if there are many in your price bracket but the 306 1.6l is quite nippy and only group 5 iirc
 
LadFromWales85 said:
I've seen a Ford Escort 1.6 X eg for £1600
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Not 100% but im sure no escort unless its a special one is worth more than 1k, i had a 1.4 R reg hatchback for £500 (3yrs ago) did a ton fairly well and did 40mpg was a okay car until i smashed it :rolleyes:
 
The Escort is a truely horrible car and should be avoided unless you find a good one for 500 quid.

£3k will easily get you a nice Ford Focus worth having.
 
Tesla, exactly, I've not a clue what to get! I've no idea where to start looking, and what to get without getting fobbed off.

PMKeates: I was thinking of getting the Escort as a mate has a 1.8 and it's alright, but I don't have any mates with better cars :( I'll have a look for the Xsara though, whats it like?

L337, I don't really want something small like a Fiesta. I've driven one, it was horrid, it's a 1.3 and it felt like it had no pull at all. Not really too fond of pugs, but I'll give it a look-in :)

Fox, really?? a Focus for 3k?

All, point taken, no Escort allowed :D
 
What can I expect in a Focus at 3k~? Looked on the bay, most there are modified, and the ones that aren't are a lot more than 3k. I'm all for modifications if they are for performance and won't cause a massive jump in insurance premiums!

But for that sort of money, what can I expect? Would it be worth saving a little more or getting a finance deal with a large deposit. Then theres the insurance...
 
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One was an estate, one was sold :(
Any idea on the cost of insurance for a 22yo with provisional. This can all wait till pass if need be. Oddly enough, the quotes for the Escort were cheaper with provisional than pass <1yr!
 
Like i said, i was just getting a selection to show you what you might expect... lol

As for insurance being cheap on provisional. Well, its known you will be driving with a qualified and at least 3 years experienced driver at all times. Bound to be cheaper.

As for quotes for yourself, call up and ask, go online and check. Its the only way you will get a real figure.
 
with a provisional you spend less time in a car (presumably), with an experienced person pretty much keeping you to speed limits and standards, also less likely to be out in the middle of the night.


insurance is a funny thing, only way to tell what it would be, would be to try a few websites for quotes. ignore confused.com
 
Morba, oooo, only 4-5 years old too! And its Black! Whats a Ghia, btw? And where does one install his stereo?

Malt, wasn't dissing your selection, was just mentioning, cheers for pointing out that I can infact afford a Focus though :D
 
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Ghia is basically the top spec (not inc the Hot versions of the model (FRS / ST170)).
 
The 'fake wood' around the centre console? Looks alright as long as its black! :) Problem with it though, is there appears to be no DIN slot for an audio head unit :(
 
LadFromWales85 said:
The 'fake wood' around the centre console? Looks alright as long as its black! :) Problem with it though, is there appears to be no DIN slot for an audio head unit :(
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they're 1.5 din you can get an adaptor to give you a single din and a cubby hole :)
 
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