Spec my friend a first car

peterattheboro · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:34

Right, my mate is one of these who think appearance is everything. Dispite this, he's a really good friend and I said i'd try and find him a car. However, most (well, all) of my sensible suggestions have been thrown out the window. (Fiesta, MX5 etc)

He's 26 so insurance will still be pretty expensive but not as bad as if he was 17 I don't think.

Bless him, he's been asking me questions about E46s, SLKs and TTs. None of these i'd said would be suitable for a new driver. My sensible suggestions have been dismissed so I'm out of ideas

Also he said he'll be wanting to spend £10,000 but i'd convinced him to half that.

So what car which looks good for £5,000 that a 26 year old new driver can sensibly be insured on?

Thanks.

Ricochet J · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:37

Mk2 Focus Zetec? A decent one would be around £6k. They're not bad cars.

But seriously, a Fiesta then an MX5? Did you also recommend him a Reliant Robin?

What does he want from the car?

Mucky_Pup · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:38

peterattheboro said:
...My sensible suggestions have been dismissed so I'm out of ideas ...

From this point, I would give up.

He's already ignoring your advice, which means he'll likely continue to ignore your advice, go and test drive a car out of his depth, and end up buying it.

peterattheboro · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:39

Mk2 Focus was dismissed aswell

peterattheboro · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:40

Mucky_Pup said:
From this point, I would give up.

He's already ignoring your advice, which means he'll likely continue to ignore your advice, go and test drive a car out of his depth, and end up buying it.

Normally i'd be like that but he's a good friend and I will try and help him. I don't want him going to buy a £5,000 S Class or something!

318Ti Compact just sprang to mind...

Ricochet J · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:40

If I were you I'd just step back and let him buy what he wants to buy. Mucky Pup summed it up.

LiE · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:42

I echo what everyone is saying. Some people are a lost cause when it comes to motoring, and it's best to avoid offering advice to them because it will only frustrate you.

andicole0 · 22 Jun 2010 at 10:42

Mitsubishi L200 double cab.

Andi.

tripitaka · 22 Jun 2010 at 11:00

Alfa 147?

peterattheboro · 22 Jun 2010 at 11:02

Alfa is a good shout.

And some friends you lot are

If it was a work colleague i'd sit back and laugh but not a friend

Janesy B · 22 Jun 2010 at 11:04

To be fair, I'd rather have both legs removed than have a Fiesta at 26, it's bad enough at 23. A lower powered E46, SLK or TT is hardly going to kill a new driver.

[FnG]magnolia · 22 Jun 2010 at 11:14

Let him choose his own car and after he's crashed it you can then perhaps help him with a better, more suitable choice of car. The difference is that he'll now listen to you.