First Car!

Uhtred · 2 May 2006 at 14:17

(And first post here!)

Hi Guys, I passed my test earlier in the year but I haven't driven since. I was recently made redundant and i'm starting a new job next week which i will need a car for.

I'm totally clueless when it comes to cars and I need one very very quickly, I've got roughly a grand to spend but obviously the cheaper the better, however it does need to be reliable.

Any models that people think would be suitable and approximate mileage/price?

Is anyone around on MSN who can help me look through autotrader this afternoon?

Thanks!
Steve

Zip · 2 May 2006 at 14:20

I might be able to look through the autotrader if you like.
Im not sure what goes cheap up there but it seems mondeos can come cheap.
Maybe an older pug or renualt?

Confused · 2 May 2006 at 14:21

Do you want a small, cramped shoebox with no features/accessories which will be "easy to drive and park" for ~£1000 and insurance will be reasonably cheap?

Or do you want a larger class of car with lots of features and accessories which will be "difficult to drive and park because it's so big" (despite having things like ABS, power steering, electric windows etc) for ~£1000 but will cost very little extra on insurance?

Uhtred · 2 May 2006 at 14:28

ConfusedTA said:
Do you want a small, cramped shoebox with no features/accessories which will be "easy to drive and park" for ~£1000 and insurance will be reasonably cheap?

Or do you want a larger class of car with lots of features and accessories which will be "difficult to drive and park because it's so big" (despite having things like ABS, power steering, electric windows etc) for ~£1000 but will cost very little extra on insurance?

The first option, needs to be small and easy to park as you say. I'm male and under 25 so the cheaper insurance the better. Power steering would be nice though...

Confused · 2 May 2006 at 14:31

I was being sarcastic, the things in quotation marks are the typical "reasons" that people give for those two different types of cars, and are complete and utter tosh.

Larger cars such as a Mondeo are no more difficult to park (I've got into MANY spaces in my Mitsubishi Carisma that someone in a Fiesta has failed to get into), and being "under 25" i'd presume you're over 21, so therefore will be almost no difference in insurance costs.

Oblivious · 2 May 2006 at 14:31

Zip said:
I might be able to look through the autotrader if you like.
Im not sure what goes cheap up there but it seems mondeos can come cheap.
Maybe an older pug or renualt?

Not really idea is it, when you come from a completely different market area?

I would help, but Im a bit busy. Sorry.

Scottland · 2 May 2006 at 14:44

I'd have a look for something like a Citroen Xsara 1.6 LX/SX.

For a grand you'd get something like a S/T reg one, in decent condition. Don't get too hung up on mileage.

Given your circumstances, I would say condition of the car (and easy to get hold of) is going to be of more use than "x is a better car than y because..."

Pho · 2 May 2006 at 14:47

Zap said:
The first option, needs to be small and easy to park as you say. I'm male and under 25 so the cheaper insurance the better. Power steering would be nice though...

But if you got a larger car you'd save a lot on the 'same car' (talking extras wise, similar years etc) as a smaller one, which you could use on insurance. Rather than buying a 2000 plate corsa for £5,000 (I have no idea what they go for) for a completely bland and bottom spec car.