First car?

SiD the Turtle · 2 Feb 2007 at 13:01

So finally I need to get myself a car for getting to work. I'm a bit torn as initially I'll only be going about 20 miles a day in it, but it might easily go to 100 miles worth of motorway and a road driving after a few months.

I'm a new driver and 23 years old, so insurance is a big issue. I've probably got a budget of 2k maximum, so what should I look out for? The only prerequisites I have are power steering, and as the other half asks: 'a non-ugly car'.

Thanks.

Confused · 2 Feb 2007 at 13:11

Insurance at 23 shouldn't be that bad, even with no prior experience!

For 20-100 miles per day, I would guess it may be motorway driving, so I'd say you'd want something larger, as they'll be more suited to motorway driving. Also, a larger class of car will have depreciated more - so you'll get more "bang-for-your-buck".

In typical OcUK fashion, for ~2k, I'd recommend a Ford Mondeo.

You can probably pick up a 2.0 Ghia or Ghia X very easily for that money. That'll give you lots of toys, and some comfort, as it was designed for eating motorway miles with carpet samples in the boot!

You can get them with the RSAP bodykit - which transforms it from a standard saloon car to something a bit different!

wonder_lander · 2 Feb 2007 at 13:14

Mondeo, no contest!

SiD the Turtle · 2 Feb 2007 at 18:07

Any other ideas? I think the Mondeo is a bit big tbh.

Logsi · 2 Feb 2007 at 18:14

Hmmm , a fiesta zetec or a 106 quicksilver?

If you a first driver i guess you want something small.

I have a Fiesta Zetec 1.4 Climate Mark 6 (long name

) and its great while not as fast as the predessor mark but still a good looker, maybe score one of these on a finance deal?

Josh

PMKeates · 2 Feb 2007 at 18:25

SiD the Turtle said:
Any other ideas? I think the Mondeo is a bit big tbh.

Most people initially think something like a Mondeo is a "bit big", but after a while getting used to one it won't seem big at all (As it isn't, really). A friend of mine had a courtesy Avensis while an insurance claim went through, and he was worried as it was "too big" coming from an Escort. The Avensis was replaced with a Golf, which he nicknamed the "clown car" because of it's smaller shape and size compared to the Toyota, and he eventually replaced his Escort with a Mondeo. He now wonders why he ever thought a Mondeo was big, and wishes he'd had a bigger and thus more comfortable car to start with!

al123 · 2 Feb 2007 at 18:27

1.6 Focus?

triggerthat · 2 Feb 2007 at 20:16

Was going to say focus too.