Buying my first car

[WillowAzore]

Just passed my driving test and am going to buy a car. Need advice. What kind of car should i get as a first car. Also what are the mains things to look out for when buying a car? Thank you. I would really appreciate it.

[magicmerlin]

Unless you want to pose to all your friends I would recommend something cheap and economical for the first few years until you build up a few years of 'no claims' driving. Old vw's are well built, will do a lot of miles with low maintenance and are relatively cheap to repair, also have a cheap cd/radio installed. Then when you want buy something more to your taste the insurance will cheaper.

[Doolallygirl]

My first car was a second hand Ford Fiesta and it was perfect! You need a little run around that has an engine of about 1 to 1.4l probably to start with. The insurance gets steeper as you gain engine power. It is estimated that 1 in 5 drivers will crash in their first year of driving so don't be getting yourself that Mercedes just yet! Get something with air bags, little rust and seatbelts and you should be fine.

[leelapops]

WillowAzore: my first car was a Rover 100. Its engine was a 1.1, it cost £300, the insurance was £550 for the year (I was 22) and she lasted me 6 months! Total rustbucket, but I adored her.
My second car is a slight upgrade: a '96 Fiesta. A far better car but not in my heart like my first was!
All the advice here is bang-on: don't bother with anything very expensive or flashy-it costs more to insure and like me, you're bound to have a couple of knocks and dents!
Get something reliable and sturdy with a reasonable service history-ask sellers to tell you about work they've done/had done on the car, and previous owners' work too.
No funny noises when you go for a run before buying, no clouds of black smoke from the exhaust. Beware of sellers talking rubbish about it being used once a week for shopping.
My first car, the Rover, was advertised on Ebay, and also on a car forum for little boy racers (where it was advertised as "slammed", or lowered). Watch out for that too as you may get very different stories depending on the sellers' audience.
Let us know what you get, first cars are amazing! x

[oldhamfan]

I bought my wife a 2002 VW Polo for christmas three years ago. It's a 1.2 3 cylinder. There's no cambelt, it's insurance group 2, it's very economical and not painfully slow. In three years motoring it has wanted nothing and passed its MOT every year without needing anything. You can pick them up for around £2,000 now I think.

[WillowAzore]

Thank you ever so much guys. I really really appreciate it. You all gave me enough info to put on track. Thanks again. I'll let you know what i get as soon as i get it.

Also i was gonna ask. My cousin asked me what i would prefer - 4 door car or 2 door car. I seriously dont mind. What do you guys think is best?

[magicmerlin]

4 door versions tend to be slightly dearer than 2 door versions.

How many people are you likely to be carrying most of the time? If only you and/or one other get a 2 door. If you and/or 2/4 passengers get a 4 door.

If you get a 2 door will your usual back seat passengers find it easy enough to get in/out of car (think of dear old granny with her bad legs)

If going for a 4 door try and get a car with central locking, that way you and your friends can't forget to lock the doors.

[WillowAzore]

Thank you. I have 3 other members in my family. So i guess getting a 4 door car would be ideal and better. Thanks for the help magicmerlin.

[TWR]

Just some advice WillowAzore, when bying take someone with you that knows about the ins & outs of the Mechnics of the car, once bought at times you bye as tried tested approved, if this is the case you have no comeback, think ahead, do not be pushed if they try that walk away there are plenty of cars out there, do your homework first. Good Luck.

[WillowAzore]

Heya, my parents are thinking about getting my car - an they asked me what i think about 1998 NISSAN MICRA 1.0 Equation 3dr Hatchback. I looks cool. But what do you guys think?