Buying my first car - need advice

[SMHarman]

Get a brand new ticket (MOT) on it. That is a usefull check for any 2nd hand purchase and cheaper than the AA. It will check tyres, lights, wipers, emmissions, seatbelts, ABS, brake function.

You may not want to answer this, but I think we are all assuming that you are just passed and just 17. Correct?

[Salu]

If you fancy buying online you could try www.jamjar.com. They are owned by Royal Bank of Scotland/Direct Line insurance and are reliable. You tell them what you want, down to the colour. They scour the country and deliver it to your house. If you aren't happy with it within 7 days they will take it away and refund. Comes with the usual guarantees. I would be tempted to stick to dealers as there can be some good bargains. Much more so than before the prices came crashing down....

[slysy]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

You may not want to answer this, but I think we are all assuming that you are just passed and just 17. Correct?

No I dont mind answering that, I am 21 and coming up to my 22nd Bday very soon I figured I didnt need a car while at uni but now I need one for work

[slysy]

Originally Posted by Salu

If you fancy buying online you could try www.jamjar.com. They are owned by Royal Bank of Scotland/Direct Line insurance and are reliable. You tell them what you want, down to the colour. They scour the country and deliver it to your house. If you aren't happy with it within 7 days they will take it away and refund. Comes with the usual guarantees. I would be tempted to stick to dealers as there can be some good bargains. Much more so than before the prices came crashing down....

Appreciate the suggestion but I am looking for something cheaper than on that site

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by slysy

No I dont mind answering that, I am 21 and coming up to my 22nd Bday very soon I figured I didnt need a car while at uni but now I need one for work

That will make the insurance less painful, being over 21. Some will give an introductory discount so shop around.

If you will need the car as your primary means of getting to work you could consider new as in some respects it may be cheaper.

A new Citroen (whatever the Saxo is these days C2?) is currently 17.5% off, has free insurance for the first year 0% finance and a 3 year warranty.

This means the cost for the first year will be repayments and maintainance costs should be your standard service charges. Anything else should be warranty.

A P plate is going to need work on brakes etc as the pads / discs wear out, and other things such as timng belts. These can add up.

[Steve H]

Well I just bought my First Car - Fiesta GHIA 1.1 (Only 17) Cost 500, Knocked em down to 450 (I think your after something a bit better tho )...

Its nice and economical.. My mothers driving it around at the moment, until I pass my test.. And she spends around £15-£20 Petrol a week, compared with £50-60 On the Rover she drives

Why not check out the new Fiestas?

[slysy]

So what do you think the best small car to go for would be? Currently looking at fiestas, corsas and micras mainly

[Chimaera]

Don't forget the cost of insurance too - might be worth checking that out for each of the above cars.
Have you got a Pass Plus certificate - extra lessons in night driving, motorways etc that you take after passing your test - can also reduce your premiums.
And if you are insuring the car fully comp, put one of your parents on the policy as a named driver - it reduced my daughter's premium by just over £200 on her T reg 1.25 Fiesta! Result!

Originally Posted by slysy

So what do you think the best small car to go for would be? Currently looking at fiestas, corsas and micras mainly

I think you'll find the corsas and micras have more moden engine's in them

[sonygeezer]

The new Daihatsu Charade looks a good buy
http://www.daihatsu.co.uk/daihatsu/frameset.do

[trebor]

a couple of points to think about
1: nobody ever sells a car there is nothing wrong with (why would they)
2:don't pay more for a car than you can afford to loose.
between the depreciation the risk of theft or crashes you can soon loose all you
have invested in that tin box on wheels.

good luck with the insurance it could cost more than the car get a quote before you get the car.

[carlingman]

Originally Posted by slysy

So what do you think the best small car to go for would be? Currently looking at fiestas, corsas and micras mainly

This is pretty much dependant on how much you want to spend and how you finance the car.

You can get some good 0% finance delas though ford now and pick a brand new unregistered Ford KA for £4495 at certain Ford delaerships.

Ok maybe the Ford KA is not your ideal choice but for £4495 it is basic car that will get you from A to B at a cheapish cost to run and cheap on insurance and warranteed for the first 3 years.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by trebor

a couple of points to think about
1: nobody ever sells a car there is nothing wrong with (why would they)

Not really true. People sell cars because they no longer meet their needs. My last car was sold as it was a 3 door and we had started a family. With all round airbags at the front the baby seat was going in the back and this is apparantly very difficult in a 3 door. Leaning in to get seat in place then belt securely around it.
Others could sell as they are leaving the country, want a newer car. I try not to run a car over 5 years old now as although it is running well, large service costs accrue - new timing belts, brake pads and discs, clutches, new tyres. While not problems, are all items that if added into the replacement cycle costs make keeping a car past yr 5 expensive.

Originally Posted by trebor

a couple of points to think about
2:don't pay more for a car than you can afford to loose.
between the depreciation the risk of theft or crashes you can soon loose all you
have invested in that tin box on wheels.

good luck with the insurance it could cost more than the car get a quote before you get the car.

True - this is why some of those new deals with free first year insurance can be so enticing for new drivers. New car - warranty, 0% finance and free insurance. The 2k you have makes a healthy deposit for negotiations or the minimums required under the 0 deal and your off with low hassle motoring and free courtesy cars from a main dealer if things go wrong.

[trebor]

[QUOTE=SMHarman]Not really true. People sell cars because they no longer meet their needs. My last car was sold as it was a 3 door and we had started a family. With all round airbags at the front the baby seat was going in the back and this is apparantly very difficult in a 3 door. Leaning in to get seat in place then belt securely around it.

QUOTE]

ok it was a bit of a broad statement, but the situations you list must only account for a very small percentage of the second hand cars on the market.
even a car with only 3 doors was a problem for you so it may be for somebody else. most people just wanting a newer car would trade in if there was nothing wrong with the one they had.
so I still say nobody sells a car there is nothing wrong with. the question you should ask yourself before buying is what is wrong with the car and will it be a problem for me. there are people who would think nothing of buying a car
with a broken clutch because to them it's only 3 hours work to fix it and not a big problem.