Looking for my first car (17)

RandomTom

RandomTom

RandomTom

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28 Sep 2004
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Morning.

Just came back from my last exam which went alright, and now I'm going to start thinking about a car, as I have a week off to research and go have a look round places in Leeds and quite possibly Sheffield at independant dealers or whatever. I have a couple of cars in mind although feel free to avert my eyes elsewhere. If the budget could hover around ~£3.2k (ex. insurance) then I'd like to know what I could get, that would be decent.

A car quite openly available to me is my cousins Fiesta, although it's the 1.3l which is reported quite bad in comparison to the 1.25 or 1.4

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But for a first car how does a mk4 fiesta compare; value for money etc. (also would 1.4l focus' featured around £3k actually be worth it?) Just a few questions, thanks. What would you recommend I do?

I will probably plan on keeping this car for around 3 years.
 
1.4 focus? no!
You could get a 1.6 or a 1.8 for under £3.2k and put the rest to insurance :]
 
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Morba said:
1.4 focus? no!
You could get a 1.6 or a 1.8 for under £3.2k and put the rest to insurance :]
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oohh, that would be nice but hmm, wouldn't a 1.6 be slightly too large for a first timer? I've been quoted £1,400 insurance for that 1.3l fiesta, although I'm not sure it's what I'll go for. but wouldn't this cost skyrocket for a 1.6 focus?

How do the mk4 zetec fiesta's compare? :)
 
A under powered car is more dangerous than a faster one.

Btw. do loads of quotes, and if you know anyone who has done pass plus, add them. Add coppers as well, insurance companies love them.

The fiesta is quite boring though, as in it is what everyone has. ;)
 
Trifid said:
The fiesta is quite boring though, as in it is what everyone has. ;)
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I know it's pretty much a stereotypical hatch alongside the saxo and pug's but what else could you suggest? I guess I could head down the road of an older rover 214 and save some money but ford's are good for retaining depreciation. :)
 
1.6 or 1.8 for a first driver :O
My cousin has a 206 GTI for his first car and cant drive. Obviously a first driver is going to show off, especially if his/her car is faster than others.

Personally, I'd get a 1.2-1.4 for the first couple of years to build up confidence and actual skill on the roads.

MC_Bob
 
Best way to decide....take a test drive. :)

Pretty good place (main dealer though) is Dixon Ford, defo in Sheffield, not sure about Leeds etc, but they are supposed to be pretty good.
 
mc_bob said:
Personally, I'd get a 1.2-1.4 for the first couple of years to build up confidence and actual skill on the roads.
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That's what I'm thinking about too, I don't want to feel too out of my depth. I haven't even had a lesson yet; next week in the instructors corsa. And my uncles partner has a dual controlled 06 fiesta I can play with on an airbase.
gobbo said:
Best way to decide....take a test drive. :)

Pretty good place (main dealer though) is Dixon Ford, defo in Sheffield, not sure about Leeds etc, but they are supposed to be pretty good.
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I'd take a test drive but they can't really let me out yet, so I'll get my dad to see what it's like for me. I can get to the Dixon Ford in sheffield as my dad lives there, so I'll see him. Theoretically I were to go fiesta route:

mk4 1.4 zetec vs. mk5 1.4 normal?
 
Insurance prices aren't JUST based on engine size remember. When i was 18 with 1 years NCB, i went from a 1.5 litre car, 0-60 in about 12 seconds to a 2 litre car, 0-60 in 8.2 seconds for £30 increase in my insurance :)
 
being an idiot in a car isnt based on engine size, you will find just as many idiot drivers in 1.2s as you will 1.6s.

they dont have masses of extra power and arent to be scared of :]

go drive a few and see how you feel.
 
Morba said:
go drive a few and see how you feel.
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Yeh i guess that's true, although i'll reiterate I've never driven a car before (well only a 2l honda crv 4x4 on a farm) So it'll be my dad that'll be test driving to judge how suited it'll be. I really don't know what to go for on this.

Is the 1.4 focus not worth bothering about then?
 
mc_bob said:
Personally, I'd get a 1.2-1.4 for the first couple of years to build up confidence and actual skill on the roads.
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Wow, what a load of tosh. I drove a 1.9dturbo for my first car, and am now on a 1.8 SRi astra @ 18. I for one hate the way my car is so slow!!

I couldn't hack driving about in a car with over say 12s 0-60, its just frustrating, takes ages to get up to speed on dual carriageways and you have to line up overtakes for miles before to gain momentum! If you find a slightly more powerful car 'bewildering' then you sir shouldn't be driving, the accelerator is analog for gods sake, its not on/off!!

EDIT: To the OP, i would be looking at focus 1.6 zetec with climate. Or maybe a 1.6 Astra SXi as an alternative.
 
Chris1712 said:
EDIT: To the OP, i would be looking at focus 1.6 zetec with climate. Or maybe a 1.6 Astra SXi as an alternative.
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Hi, would those cars be in decent nick for around £3k do you reckon, I don't want to over shoot the budget because of all other costs etc. My dad was on about astra's a while ago, I'll have a see. (my initial suggestion was to get an old beamer 316i for £2k haha) :)

edit: how about a mondeo? (even though i think it's a bit big) :p

[TW]Fox said:
Don't buy a car until you can drive - how are you going to test drive it to see if you like it?
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I'm not going to be able to test drive, yeh it might be a bit pointless but I'm going to go by how my dad judges the car, I've driven his 735 automatic a couple of times on a farm and he reckons we have a similar instinctal driving style. I'll be looking to get this before June ends when I will have had about 5 lessons. :)
 
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Austin Mini (85-92) 1000cc
Insurance group 2, economical, fun to drive, design classic, easy to customise, price stable or will apreciate :D

A really good quality, low mileage, FSH, one will set up back £2000 max

edit - the 1970-80 1.3 cooper s or GT is also group 2!!! (and they really fly)
 
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RandomTom said:
edit: how about a mondeo? (even though i think it's a bit big) :p
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Obviously any Mondeo for this money, or even less, will be better than a Focus or Astra - it will be newer, it will have more standard equipment, the interior is better, etc etc but if you get a Mondeo you really need a 1.8 or a 2.0 engine - something which could be a problem for you as a new driver.
 
Sorry, misunderstanding. If you haven't yet passed your test, and therefore you can't take a test drive don't buy a car.

I know my Dad would hate the way my car drives, and although I respect his opinion, I would (not) buy a car based on his opinion on the test drive.

Edit: Can I pimp the Nissan Primera as a possable too :p You could pick up a mint 2.0 SE for £3k, which has everything a Ghia X has (apart from the stick on tat ofc :p ;) )
 
oops didnt realise that you cannot drive yet.

tbh i would wait until you have passed to see what car would be right for you.
your dad while being nice might not be the best judge of what is 'best' for you.
 
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