Why is it i'm finding myself...

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:04

..to be really un-interested in buying a car?

I've been without a car since November '07 now. I'm saving well, and by the end of next month i'll have just over £4k saved, which is great, for me, as i usually spend money on worthless cars.

The only problem is, when it comes to looking for/choosing a car, i really can't be bothered.

The 'lemon' of a Focus i had planned to go and see was the first car i'd seen for a while that i wanted to go and view! Maybe its just me, but i can't even seem to whittle it down to one single car, one minute i'm looking at a Focus, then a Mondeo, then an MGZS, the list goes on...

I'm currently driving my GF's Corsa (when i need it) which i think makes the whole driving experience a little diar!

So, based on my previous cars, i'm calling OcUK members to help me pick 1 car (ok, maybe 2) to be set on, go and test drive a couple and hopefully choose the "right" car for me

The shortlist was...

- Focus
- Astra (MK4)

..and thats about as far as it went. I was looking at MGZR/S's but don't think i could live with the fact i was driving around in a tarted up Rover 200/400.

Help muchly appreciated

Phil (again.)

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:45

[TW]Fox;11009047 said:
Becuase you fail at buying cars and keep looking at boring daily driver stuff when you dont need a boring daily driver.

Look at interesting cars instead.

Was waiting for your input to the thread, Fox

Insurance is my main hurdle, anything about GRP11 or so starts to become expensive.

I'm not that bothered if its not a super duper quick car (which it wouldn't be, anyway). It doesnt have to be designed by an Italian, or have shiney parts on the engine. Just a nice looking, reliable car.

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:58

saitrix said:
What is classed as reasonable insurance? Got NCB?

I have NCB, but i also have a couple of crashes on my policy (from first couple of years of driving) which pit against me when it comes to a quote.

Something like a Focus 2.0 Zetec comes to around £1100 FC.

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:59

Leeum said:
Not fancy another Saxo? £4k gets you a nice, low mileage VTS.

VTS Insurance is ridiculous, Civic VTi is cheaper and thats a car that produces more power.

I have been half tempted to back to a VTR, but thats what it is, a step back, not forward.

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:17

I was kind of aiming for something 99/00+ really.

The new shape Celica i find REALLY nice, i think i'd have to extend my budget a bit more for that, though.

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:22

saitrix said:
Any reason for wanting newer? Or just a want? I was going to suggest an Mx5 you see.

Just a want, really. I've always had older cars and i think its time for something a little newer..

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:28

[TW]Fox;11009435 said:
MG ZS's are crap but this is probably the best car MG Rover ever made:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/346417.htm

Wayyy too big for my needs. I'd hav an MX5 if it wasnt the need for more than 2 seats, missus has a little one so need the seating space!

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:35

205 GTi is too old, Fiat Coupe's insurance is too expensive, as is the Prelude.

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:35

Deanje said:
Well, I own the 1.8iS and although it's a higher insurance group, it costs a similar amount to the 1.6. It's the standard 1.8i that was the most expensive, for some reason.

I'd say the boot's just about big enough to fit a kid in, Phil...

Unfortunatly she's bright enough to know that the boot isn't a seat

/edit - Unless i say its a "special seat"

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:48

For some reason i dont think the missus would go for that, although i'm sure the little one would love catching flies

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 15:58

[TW]Fox;11009682 said:
Mate, with respect, if you live at home with your parents, you dont NEED a car you simply WANT one, what has it got to do with your girlfriend what car you chose?

If you lived with her and owned a house with her fair doos but otherwise tell her to do one. My girlfriend would never try and influence the choice of a car bought simply for pleasure..

She's not tried to influence any of my decisions, actually

All she does is look at the picture of a particular car i'm looking at and says "oh, thats nice."

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 16:45

Demon said:
I see his dilema though.. it's hard to find cars that are nice to drive, but cheap enough to run that being 'occasional' use is not too wallet denting

About the closest post to understanding in this thread

The GF has no influence over the car what so ever, but the idea is for me to have a nice car, so that i can then carry on concentrating on saving for a house.

Semi-pracitcal in the sense that 3doors and 4/5 seats is a must, anything else really is a bonus. I've looked at lots of cars over the past couple of months, and to be honest, none of the car i'm looking at will ever jump out and say "wow, look at me", but thats not what i'm looking for

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 16:45

commited said:
Doesn't she have a Corsa?

Phil - if you cant buy anything decent, live with that corsa. Wait until your accidents are 3 years in the past - then you're into cheap insurance-o-rama.

I can buy something decent, i just need to decide what

Phil W · 31 Jan 2008 at 17:15

Another good point, Demon.

The car has to be a useable everyday car, really.

I'm not sure why people have assumed i want a 2 Seater, when i initially wanted a Focus?

I'm off to look at an MGZS on Monday, not necessarily looking to buy, i just thought i'd go and have a look/drive of one, and see what i think.

Phil W · 1 Feb 2008 at 07:50

Could be on to something with the Glanza idea, Googling comes up with them falling anywhere between IG 8 and 16, so i guess i'll have to ring my insurance company for a couple of quotes

Phil W · 1 Feb 2008 at 22:56

Well, waiting back for a quote from Adrian Flux (email quote as i'm at work) on the Glanza V. Tried with my current insurance company, they said they'd call meback (as they are a broker so have to call thecompany who actually insure me), and never called back.

Been looking at them and have seen a few nice ones for around the £3.5k-£4k mark, however i'd like to go and have a test drive of one first, and see what i think

Insurance seem reasonable, quite a few 18/19YO's with no NCB are insured on the Glanza V's for £1400ish FC, so with my 2yrs NCB (crashed regardless) i should get a reasonable quote...

Phil

Phil W · 4 Feb 2008 at 07:17

commited said:
If insurance is an issue then tuning is a no go.

Not too fussed about that really, i'd be happy with having the car in the short term (first year or so). Who knows, modifying it might not turn out to be that costly.

Just finished my set of night shifts, so i'm calling up for some quotes when the office opens.

Phil W · 4 Feb 2008 at 08:50

Not really, insurance on the 1.8T is a little steep, and i wouldn't settle for anything less.

Phil W · 4 Feb 2008 at 09:40

Underwriters @ Flux just emailed me back with my quote.

£865 FC, which i think is fantastic.

They only asked for claims within 3yrs, which is a bonus for me as the claims i had (bar 1) were from 4years ago.

Going to call up a bit later on to confirm the price, and get the quote saved, then i'll start looking for a car. Only downside is my 2nd yrs NCB doesnt come until March (end of) so i'll have to wait until then to get the car on the road.

Doesn't stop me looking at some, and buying one if the right one comes along.

Phil W · 14 Feb 2008 at 15:51

Some nice suggestions there Andy, but i'm still really off the idea of them for some reason.

It seems to have "fun" and buy a car that i could, if i wanted to, modify a little, i'm looking at a slightly older car at prices a little higher than they would normally be, however seeing as i have finally come to the conclusion that it is a toy, as Fox says, i can make that compromise

Off to look at a Starlet Glanza V next weekend, first one i've come across that isnn't either littered with dodgy aftermarket parts, or a complete dog condition-wise.

Wish me luck