First Car Suggestions

quotidian · 1 Apr 2015 at 15:36

I know theres already hundreds of threads like this and the conclusion is normally mondeo but hear my logic out and see if I'm looking at something sensible.

I'm a student at uni but I'm living at home so at the minute I'm commuting in every day which is a bit of a nightmare, so mainly the car will hopefully be used for getting to and from uni as well as my work placements over summers. Therefore I need something thats not going to be an absolute pig to find anywhere to park within a reasonable distance, which did kill off my initial idea of a mondeo estate.

If I'm not at uni / work I'll probably be out fishing so its not all city driving. A couple of places I go to a lot have terrible, potholed access roads its definitely somewhere near the limit of what I'd take my parents Ibiza, which I drive at the minute, to especially if its wet or icy.

With that in mind I was thinking on a Suzuki Sx4 4grip, probably looking at spending around or under £4-5k so probably 2008 to 2010 depending on what mileage and whether I go for petrol or diesel (which I'm not decided on yet).

If anyone has any alternatives to look at or points about the Sx4 I'd love to hear them because basically I know nearly nothing about buying a car.

dr_volki · 1 Apr 2015 at 15:42

can't help you with a make or model, but i'd check multiple cars for insurance first.
I've had my first car for nearly 3years now and it's only a little French poop box (pug 308). the first year the insurance was £1800 fully comp

Ryan-3 · 1 Apr 2015 at 15:47

I'd suggest a Fiesta, but that depends on how bad the off-road 'roads' are. If they're accessible by Ibiza, then they should be fine?

Unless you're doing over 15K miles, don't even consider a diesel.

eatcustard · 1 Apr 2015 at 16:15

Go to a car dealer and look at some cars, drive them and buy one that suits you.

Try fishing in different areas if roads are that bad

Kuros · 1 Apr 2015 at 16:39

Personally, if you're at university and will be leaving it god knows where, I'd personally get a cheapish car you don't care all too much about if it gets damaged. Even my old 106 ended up coated in dents from parking in the students car park. Not a single person ever owned up to donking it, however.

mccarf · 1 Apr 2015 at 16:52

Fiat panda 4x4?

quotidian · 1 Apr 2015 at 23:05

I've looked at the insurance on an sx4 and its around 900 without a black box which seems reasonable compared to some of my friends quotes.

As for just going somewhere else that isn't really an option as there's nowhere else locally that's very safe and I'd rather bust a spring getting to it than get mugged.

I had considered the panda but there aren't any in my price range locally but I'll have a look at one if I find one.

mattyfez · 2 Apr 2015 at 02:00

quotidian said:
I've looked at the insurance on an sx4 and its around 900 without a black box which seems reasonable compared to some of my friends quotes.

As for just going somewhere else that isn't really an option as there's nowhere else locally that's very safe and I'd rather bust a spring getting to it than get mugged.

I had considered the panda but there aren't any in my price range locally but I'll have a look at one if I find one.

I have no idea what an sx4 is but for first insurance it sounds good at £900, you're not realistically going to get anything much cheaper to insure as a first drive assuming you're the main driver. build up some no claims and don't crash, then the insurance will drop.

EDIT just googled it, it's a silly mini car thing, but there's nothing wrong with that, we all started out driving ****** little cars, to be honest I wouldn't spend 5k on a first car at all, but the insurance is a big factor as a new driver.

Third Opinion · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:02

quotidian said:
I've looked at the insurance on an sx4 and its around 900 without a black box which seems reasonable compared to some of my friends quotes.

As for just going somewhere else that isn't really an option as there's nowhere else locally that's very safe and I'd rather bust a spring getting to it than get mugged.

I had considered the panda but there aren't any in my price range locally but I'll have a look at one if I find one.

I have the Fiat badged SX4, the Fiat Sedici. Had it for 8 years and it has been spot on. Past every MOT without fail, starts first time every time. I have the 1.9JTD, if you get the diesel just remember that the cambelt interval is 60k, not the 96k they claim.

Not the most exciting drive but a capable car. Only thing is they go through front tyres at an alarming rate, sometimes as little as 7k.

quotidian · 2 Apr 2015 at 21:07

mattyfez said:
I have no idea what an sx4 is but for first insurance it sounds good at £900, you're not realistically going to get anything much cheaper to insure as a first drive assuming you're the main driver. build up some no claims and don't crash, then the insurance will drop.

EDIT just googled it, it's a silly mini car thing, but there's nothing wrong with that, we all started out driving ****** little cars, to be honest I wouldn't spend 5k on a first car at all, but the insurance is a big factor as a new driver.

Why would you not spend £5k on a first car? I was hoping to get something around £4k or stretch to 5k for something a bit better just to try not to get something I'm going to have to do a load of work on.

Third Opinion said:
I have the Fiat badged SX4, the Fiat Sedici. Had it for 8 years and it has been spot on. Past every MOT without fail, starts first time every time. I have the 1.9JTD, if you get the diesel just remember that the cambelt interval is 60k, not the 96k they claim.

Not the most exciting drive but a capable car. Only thing is they go through front tyres at an alarming rate, sometimes as little as 7k.

Thanks, that does sound low for changing tyres but not a massive problem for me since its only about 25 mile round trip for me to get to uni / work so I wouldn't be going through tyres that quick even at that rate.

xs2man · 2 Apr 2015 at 21:20

Wouldn't spend £5k on a first car? My sister just got a new Corsa for her first car (she lucked out though, born 18 years after me, so is equivalent to an only child, when our father is at the peak of his career).

You pay what it takes for the best car for your needs, that you can afford.

Phantom Shadow · 3 Apr 2015 at 00:05

All well and good spending a minimal amount on a first car but if you're relying on it for commuting to work/uni I'd say it's sensible to spend £4-5k on a more reliable car especially if you can afford it.