First Car

[Solari]

Alright chaps,

Passed my driving test not too long ago and am in the market for a first car. I have a few mates that I've been viewing a few cars with (who are pretty hot in the mechanics dept.) and have come across a few duds.

Any suggestions as to what I should really be looking for in the region of £700-£1000? I was thinking either:

a) VW Golf - due to reliability and reputation
b) Ford Escort - easy and cheap to repair

I think the idea of getting a new car with 1 year's free insurance is a bit of a joke seeing as you instantly lose a few grand as soon as you buy the car (ie: resale value).

I'm over 25 so the insurance isn't too much of a killer. Have a quote of £737 with £150 excess for a 1.8 '94 VW Golf CL. I was looking at something 1.6ish or thereabouts as I'd like to drive to Cornwall and other places without having a hairdryer engine that'd pack up on the way easily.

Any suggestions or am I on the right tracks?

 

[Solari]

i take it your just looking at TPFT quotes?

might be worth looking at something jap, an old civic maybe??

Nope, that was comprehensive (seeing as so many people hit and run, or don't have licences and insurance these days I think comp is worth the extra £150 or so)

I definitely think PAS is essential, as nice as it'd be to have arms like popeye, I'd rather avoid the hard work parking etc.

EDIT: Aren't Mondeos a bit big for a first car... no kids (as of yet!). Plus the parking is a bit tight round my area!

 

[Solari]

Fair enough with the insurance. Is it two thirds of the value of the car in a claim = write off?

As I was looking to spend between £700-£1000 I was a bit concerned about having a smash up and having to fork out the same amount again for a new car with TPFT.

 

[Solari]

Nah. The difference between something like a Golf and a Mondeo isn't anything to write home about in the real world.

Fairy nuff..

This kind of thing would do me fine then. Fully comp is a bit expensive so for a £700 car, TPFT is £697.70 fro Elephant (I can get it cheaper from another firm I know due to having Pass plus and good theory test scores)

One other Q - are trade sellers generally to be avoided? I've been looking private tbh.

EDIT: Which year did Mk2s come out? Excuse my ignorance

 

[Solari]

i think some companies who mainly insure young drivers give some kind of discount......but i could be talking complete BS

Yep, if you get 35/35 and a good score on the Hazard perception (I managed 66/75 which I think is considered good), and have less than 10 minor faults on your driving test, some companies that deal with new drivers (not just young ones) will give you an additional discount (along with extra discount for pass plus).

 

[Solari]

what are these companies? I got 35/35 and only 4 minors (i think)

I can't find the magazine I had as the gf has had a tidy-up...grr..

From some googling, I think this is one of them:

Insurance Connections on
0121 561 6033