Spec me a car!

Gatsby

Gatsby

Gatsby

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Joined
28 Nov 2004
Posts
951
Sorry for posting another one of these threads but I need some advice.

I just got offered a new job and I'm going to need a car to get there and back, I live in Salisbury and the job is in Bournemouth.

I'm 22, I have a budget of about 3 maybe 4k for the car and insurance. Unfortunately don't have any no claims bonus since I only drove my parent's car for a year after passing my test at 17 and haven't actually driven a car since then (couldn't afford one at uni and my current job is in walking distance).

I was thinking about a mk4 Golf but looking through the threads on here I guess you guys are probably going to recommend a Focus. I'm not really too keen on the looks of the Focus, but that's not really a primary concern.

Any other suggestions or advice for buying a first car?
 
What do you actually want out of a car?

At 22 insurance shouldnt be as bad as a 17 year old, but with 0NCB you want to be wary of getting anything too exciting.

The Mk4 golf isnt a bad car, its just that the focus is a better car.

The cheapest car I had for insurance was a Seat Toledo TDI - same platform and quality as a Golf (Well, Bora) but was stupidly cheap to insure in my case. 4k would buy a nice one.

Other than that, I'm going to play the usual OcUK "suggest your own car" game and reccomend a Mondeo. Cheap to insure and run, nice to drive, good long distances and very practical.
 
Really I'd like something reliable and not too expensive to run, but also vaguely interesting to drive so the daily commute doesn't make me want kill myself.

I'll take a look at some Mondeos...
 
Focus or Mondeo then - both very good handling cars in their class (the focus especially) and both very cheap to own.

You'll get more for your money in a mondeo though as the focus conducts a bit of a premium
 
The only thing that you are gonna get recommended on here are BMWs, Mondeos or Fiestas, as well as Focus'. I think that you should look at a 130bhp TDI Golf MK4 (pd 130). Fast, reliable, can be remapped, cheap to insure and run and fun to drive.

Also a 306 Dturbo or HDI are good cars, good at cornering, nice amount of torque and can be remapped as well once you get bored. Also pretty cheap to insure and run seem they are group 5.
 
BD10NNF said:
The only thing that you are gonna get recommended on here are BMWs, Mondeos or Fiestas, as well as Focus'.
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Ever wondered why, on a site which is not affiliated with any one car or brand, that the cars you mention are so popular? Think about it...

The Focus or Mondeo is a better buy than the Golf - the Fiesta is also a good option but may be a bit small for longer journeys
 
Have a look at a bora or mk4 golf.
The 1.9tdi engine (preferable the 130bhp model) is plenty punchy, reliable and not to bad on insurance or fuel. Ideal commuters cars, comfy too.
 
A Focus with the 1.6 zetec petrol engine should be the best bet. The 1.25 Fiesta is getting on a bit now and the Focus will generally be a nicer place to be in. A Mondeo is better still, but you want insurance to be covered in your budget too which is difficult since you have no no claims bonus.
 
Ricochet J said:
A Focus with the 1.6 zetec petrol engine should be the best bet. The 1.25 Fiesta is getting on a bit now and the Focus will generally be a nicer place to be in. A Mondeo is better still, but you want insurance to be covered in your budget too which is difficult since you have no no claims bonus.
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Back in the day, when I were a lad, a Mk1 Mondeo was cheaper to insure than a Mk5 escort :)
 
Ricochet J said:
A Focus with the 1.6 zetec petrol engine should be the best bet. The 1.25 Fiesta is getting on a bit now and the Focus will generally be a nicer place to be in. A Mondeo is better still, but you want insurance to be covered in your budget too which is difficult since you have no no claims bonus.
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Not that I am recommending one, but I fail to see how the Fiesta 1.25 is getting on a bit when his budget will buy a Focus/Fiesta of the same age?
 
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30 miles each way by my googlations. Fiesta would do the job but Focus might be slightly better for a moderate trip like that twice a day.

I'd go for a 1.6 petrol personally if your not worried about it being a flying machine.
 
For that mileage plus social I think a diesel might be a good choice? Get a punchy PD130 or something like that and it won't be too boring either - my 133bhp derv was pretty fun when needed.

Unless it's a very well paid job, in which case fuel costs don't really matter I suppose! :)
 
rover416i said:
For that mileage plus social I think a diesel might be a good choice? Get a punchy PD130 or something like that and it won't be too boring either - my 133bhp derv was pretty fun when needed.

Unless it's a very well paid job, in which case fuel costs don't really matter I suppose! :)
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*cough* Mondeo TDCI 130 *cough*
 
peterattheboro said:
1.6 Focus Zetec is your best choice :)
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Funnily enough that is exactly what im looking at getting :D.

Its going to be a major downgrade from my 600ti, which has started to fall to pieces but i think one will fill my needs perfectly.

But then all im looking for is something that looks good and is cheap to run.
 
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