Passed test, need a car

Soldato
Joined
10 Jan 2012
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UK
Passed my test on Thursday horary! so its time to be having a look at what's around, after some suggestions.

My only requirement is that its an automatic (my test was in a manual).
Newer the better of course and no "big" cars. Budget of around £10k.

Thanks :)
 
My only requirement is that its an automatic (my test was in a manual).

I strongly advise preferring a manual over an automatic for your first car. You will learn far better control and road and engine awareness. You have passed your test but you still have a lot to learn.

30 unfortunately.

You're out of the stupidly expensive insurance age range but you're still going to get caned. Do try the insurer who insured you while you were learning - if you had no accidents. I got an immediate 30% NCD, though that was over 30 years ago.

Get yourself an economy car like a VW Polo or Fiat 500 for your first few years. Used, of course.
 
Tbh you’ll be very likely to have an accident due to inexperience rather than bravado. And don’t discount big cars either, sometimes a ‘non standard’ first car can work out cheaper than your usual first cars.
 
I would also echo the getting a manual as you learn more driving skills whilst having to think of changing gear etc.

Would suggest a Focus or Golf sized car and as you’re 30 the insurance shouldn’t be too bad, also look at things like Octavia/Volvo as they be even more better insurance value.
 
No interest in driving a manual to be fair, I get your comments, but no interest in spending money on a manual. Went to Evans Halshaw in Gateshead yesterday and test drove an automatic (Corsa) and much preferred it compared to the 2 manual cars my instructor taught me in.
 
If I was going back to just passing my test again I'd go for the best £1K car I could find in a 10 mile radius of my home and run it until it runs no more and I wouldn't give a hoot if I mark it or not.

At a local used car trader today there is a nice 2006 Punto and 2003 Corsa both with 12 months MOT and under £1K. Bargain motoring.
 
I've always found the Fabia to be pretty cheap on insurance, maybe a bit nicer place to be than the equivalent Fiesta/Corsa etc, also comes in estate if you want more practicality without going up a size in car. Otherwise a big old barge like a Volvo is a good shout, usually driven by "more sensible" drivers, and if you do end up in an accident, whatever you hit will probably come off worse.

Alternative suggestion: Leaf/Zoe/Ioniq. Insurance might be slightly higher than a petrol, but running costs will be significantly lower, and all are automatic. This assumes you have somewhere off street to charge however.
 
If I were you I'd buy a £2k car that runs well and doesn't have severely corroded suspension or anything silly like that. Accept that you're just building up no claims and do that for 2/3 years. As long as you can see the timing belt has been changed on schedule and its been pretty much serviced ok with nothing major on mot history you'll be fine. Something like a Honda accord.

Alternatively, lexus have a 10 year warranty thing where if its serviced at Lexus less than 10 years old you get a year warranty no matter where you bought it. The CT200h (auto and well specced) may possibly be I'm budget around 2013/4 to give you a couple years warranty. Insurance may be higher due to cat theft though but they're not normally driven by 18 year old so it might balance out.
 
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