Second car time I think

Keylow · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:40

I am currently driving around in a 1L Corsa and I'm getting rather fed up with it. It's far too slow, far too boring and far too cramped. Now I won't be buying immediately, probably around September/mid autumn. I'd just like to see what's out there are to know what I am looking for.
As long as I don't have an accident before August, I will have 1 years NCB and be 19. Now I have two trains of thought at the moment. The sensible me is telling me to be looking at something larger, probably a 4 door. I have been looking at older BMW 316i's, around a P/R plate. However I don't know what the general opinion is on these and how much the insurance would be, being German and all. I have also been looking at a Ford focus 4 door also, but same again, i am not sure what the general opinion is. So if you could guide me on those two and any more suggestions would be much appreciated.
Now my other train of thought is telling me to be more fun and go out and buy an old Austin Mini. Again I would like the general consensus on these, what kind of mileage/engine should I be looking for.
I don't really want any car with an engine larger than a 1.6 since the insurance will be too much.
Suggestions and comments much appreciated

Oh, and the budget is no more than £3000.

[TW]Fox · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:42

There is no reason why you can't go bigger than 1.6 - for a start, insurance does not depend solely on engine size. There are 3 litre cars out that there that cost less to insure than some 1.6 litre cars for example.

Secondly, insuring a half decent car at 19 isn't hard - I had a 2 litre Mondeo when I was 19.

Thirdly, BMW 316's are complete junk, especially tired old rubbishy base model E36 variants with faded black plastic sideskirts and crap cloth seats. Go for the Focus.

316 isn't a 1.6 litre anyway.

Keylow · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:49

Thank you for that. Now bearing that in mind, would there be any other cars apart from the Mondy that you would suggest with a bit more power, but still fairly easy on the insurance?

[TW]Fox · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:52

Focus 2.0 is the rather odd one on the insurance front - same performance as a 2 litre Mondeo, but it's actually only Group 8 insurance.

Great performance v insurance ratio with that one. Reliable, rewarding to drive, and pretty pokey. It'll rattle a bit but hey, its not the end of the world when buying cheap cars.

saitrix · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:55

Yup I remember looking at the insurance for a 2.0 Focus at 19 and 1ncb too. I was coming out with quotes just about £1000 from a quick look. I bet I could have got it just under £1000 with more looking round.

I would also suggest the 2.0 Focus Zetec. Very good car, the 2.0 Zetec has 16" alloys compared to the 15's the other engines get. Plus has slightly wider tyres, now my 1.6 handled well enough, so with wider tyres I can imagine the 2.0 being very good.

Edit - Plus the 2.0 got rear disc brakes too over the other engines. Would be a nice upgrade from a 1.0 Corsa.

Jez · 18 Jun 2007 at 11:55

You are going to have to make a compromise somewhere, it is unlikely that you will get anything that has power, and looks good at the same time.

I went for the power option and went with a Vauxhall Omega with a V6 when i was finding insurance an issue. Was a bit of a barge but still very nice to drive all the same and was loaded with kit.

Its hard to suggest anything specific, but i would look at larger cars such as the Omega, Vectra, Mondeo, 406, that type of thing.

ci_newman · 18 Jun 2007 at 14:53

saitrix said:
Yup I remember looking at the insurance for a 2.0 Focus at 19 and 1ncb too. I was coming out with quotes just about £1000 from a quick look. I bet I could have got it just under £1000 with more looking round.

I would also suggest the 2.0 Focus Zetec. Very good car, the 2.0 Zetec has 16" alloys compared to the 15's the other engines get. Plus has slightly wider tyres, now my 1.6 handled well enough, so with wider tyres I can imagine the 2.0 being very good.

Edit - Plus the 2.0 got rear disc brakes too over the other engines. Would be a nice upgrade from a 1.0 Corsa.

The 1.8 Focus Zetecs got rear discs too

[TW]Fox · 18 Jun 2007 at 14:57

ci_newman said:
The 1.8 Focus Zetecs got rear discs too

Only if it had ABS fitted as an option IIRC.

Sime · 18 Jun 2007 at 15:02

Im in the exact same situation. Im 19 with 1 years NCB, Ive been looking around for quite a while now and have decided that im gonna go for the 2.0 Zetec. Looks are great and its pretty nippy. Great second car

Abyss · 18 Jun 2007 at 15:06

I agree with Fox as regards to the 2.0L Focus. I bought one just over a year ago, and don't have a single regret! Insurance is reasonable, and it's pretty quick for what it is. One thing to bear in mind though is it is slightly thirsty, I tend to average 29-30mpg, or 34mpg on a long motorway journey.

Edit: consider looking at the Zetec ESP. I went for the Ghia in the end as it was available at the right price, but would have preffered the Zetec ESP.

Haircut · 18 Jun 2007 at 15:08

[TW]Fox said:
Only if it had ABS fitted as an option IIRC.

Yep, I've got one of the early 1.8 Zetecs without ABS and it has rear drums.

Jonnycoupe · 18 Jun 2007 at 15:24

[TW]Fox said:
Only if it had ABS fitted as an option IIRC.

Yeah my non ABS 1.8 Zetec is drums.

Glaucus · 18 Jun 2007 at 15:26

The only way to tell, is make a list of cars you like and get quotes.

for me one of the cheapest cars to insure is the

lexus soarer 4.0 v8, it's cheaper than a bloody micra :eek:

, but the car was too expensive so I got a mitsi carisma, which is still more expensive on insurance.

So really, dont be put of by sports cars or engine size, work out your budget, go on auto trader and get a list of cars, then get quotes.

ci_newman · 18 Jun 2007 at 15:30

Abyss said:
I agree with Fox as regards to the 2.0L Focus. I bought one just over a year ago, and don't have a single regret! Insurance is reasonable, and it's pretty quick for what it is. One thing to bear in mind though is it is slightly thirsty, I tend to average 29-30mpg, or 34mpg on a long motorway journey.

Edit: consider looking at the Zetec ESP. I went for the Ghia in the end as it was available at the right price, but would have preffered the Zetec ESP.

That's a rather poor show as far as fuel economy goes! My 14 year old, 2.0l MR2 does better than that! My average has been 35mpg, with low 40's on a motorway run. Have they made the engine out of lead or something??

Keylow · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:13

Forgive my ignorance, but what does ESP stand for or actually mean?

Sime · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:24

ci_newman said:
That's a rather poor show as far as fuel economy goes! My 14 year old, 2.0l MR2 does better than that! My average has been 35mpg, with low 40's on a motorway run. Have they made the engine out of lead or something??

Yep according to Parkers, the 2.0 Focus Zetec gets 32MPG. So thats about right.

L1J · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:41

Keylow said:
Forgive my ignorance, but what does ESP stand for or actually mean?

I cant drive

or

Electronic Stability Program - Sensors in the car monitor if the car is loosing control and attempts to recover it usually by braking one or more of the wheels as it sees fit.

Abyss · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:43

Keylow said:
Forgive my ignorance, but what does ESP stand for or actually mean?

it combines ABS with Traction Control to help prevent you finding a ditch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_program

Abyss · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:44

ci_newman said:
That's a rather poor show as far as fuel economy goes! My 14 year old, 2.0l MR2 does better than that! My average has been 35mpg, with low 40's on a motorway run. Have they made the engine out of lead or something??

Quite! I admit I do drive it somewhat spiritedly, but granny driving it doesn't make a huge difference. On the plus side, AC appears to have almost no effect on mpg.

Keylow · 18 Jun 2007 at 17:38

I've been running some quotes, and I think the 2.0 Focus is going to be a bit heavy on the insurance. How does the 1.8 compare?