Recommend Cheap First Car ~£500

Tesla

Tesla

Tesla

Soldato
Joined
19 Jan 2003
Posts
17,599
Location
Bristol, UK
Hello,

I have offered to help out some lad at my Mum's work find his first car. 18years old so insurance will be an issue.

I have considered the following:

Ford Fiesta 1.25
Nissan Almera
Rover 200 Mk3
Fiat Bravo
Citroen Xsara

Any other things worth considering?

Now the chap is tall apparently, do you think he would struggle in something like this?

Finally, whats a good spot to check for cheapo cars. Local free-ad's and ebay I presume?
 
He could always try a local auction.Ok it would be wise if he took someone with him who knew a little about cars but there are plenty about this time of year.
 
Fez 1.25 as always. Thing is with the fez, theyre really good for tall people too! A mate whos big built 6'4 i think he is fits in it fine!! pedals are nicely positioned too.

and as for finding one, i always find ebay is stupidly cheap at times, people who are too lazy just chuck it on there and take whatever, especially in this price bracket. no wonder its officially the most popular place to buy a car now.
 
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come on tes, surely you of all people know that zetec based mondeos are the ultimate first car! cheap insurance, bit of poke, reliable, well specced (even the base models, compared to things like fezs) and no unpredictable handling (no rear torsion beams etc)....it's win win
 
rG-tom said:
come on tes, surely you of all people know that zetec based mondeos are the ultimate first car! cheap insurance, bit of poke, reliable, well specced (even the base models, compared to things like fezs) and no unpredictable handling (no rear torsion beams etc)....it's win win
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Yes but you know as well as I do insuring one on the cheap is no longer possible.
 
fonzee said:
Fez 1.25 as always. Thing is with the fez, theyre really good for tall people too! A mate whos big built 6'4 i think he is fits in it fine!! pedals are nicely positioned too.

and as for finding one, i always find ebay is stupidly cheap at times, people who are too lazy just chuck it on there and take whatever, especially in this price bracket. no wonder its officially the most popular place to buy a car now.
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Have to agree, my girlfriend has a 1.25 zetec fiesta, ive driven it a couple of times and i was ruddy suprised!

Even with keep fit steering its not particularly difficult to manouver even at low speed, dead easy to drive and its not a complete slouch.
 
Citreon ZX 1.4i or 1.9d (1.9d may be a bit heavy on insurance)

Exactly the same as the Xsara underneath, albeit in a older and less pretty shell. You should get a very good example for £500.

Pug 306 is also identical. It will cost more to buy, but for some reason is cheaper to insure.
 
I hope you aren't looking at one of the huge number of cheap 1.4 Bravos out there; it'd be a huge mistake. The 80 SX (1.2 16V) is the one to get.
 
old-ish corsa or astra. Cheap to run and maintain, loads of parts available for dirt cheap in scrapyards and can accommodate tall people no problem.
 
Ford Escort? I picked up my ghia (Electric Mirrors/Windows, Central Locking, Alarm/Immobiliser, front heated screen etc.) for £300 with Tax and Test :)
 
6 foot 3 and I have a 1.3 Fiesta. Fit nicely, just loose room in the seat behind me. Its an L reg with almost 130,000 miles on it, 30,000 of which ive done in the last 18 months. All ive had to do was change the spark plugs, and replace a leaky shock for the MOT. Been bullet proof for me though! 3rd party fire and theft is still £600 though, being a 21 year old male is bad news...., oh, car cost me £500

First car was very differet tough. K reg 1.8 litre Ford Sierra! Rear wheen drive first car! Awsome! great fun, found a ditch though, but hey, still kept going! insurance was £900 with me as a named 17 year old driver though lol!
 
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