First car: Which one?

Trigger_happy · 24-09-07, 20:34

I know its a bit early, with me not being 17 yet and all, but it takes me forever to make up my mind. What was everyone's first car, and what do you UK guys think about the Ford Puma as a first car? How much should I spend on a new car, how much would the insurance be about, and any tips? Pics would be great

Cheers guys.

Fish. · 24-09-07, 20:52

Hey mate

How much are you planning to spend on a new car?

Voni · 24-09-07, 20:59

My first car was a 99 reg Toyota Yaris, it cost me 3 grand but it's well worth it, it's never broken down on me (although it has needed a few repairs, as all cars do). I've been told by several people that Japanese cars are the most reliable.

My dad keeps saying that the best thing to do is get a brand new car on some sort of payment plan, then replace it after three years when the warantee (sp?) runs out. At least that way you've got guaranteed breakdown cover and repairs for however long the warantee lasts for.

Earthcane · 24-09-07, 21:10

This is my ideal car :

LOL!!

clairelovestlc · 24-09-07, 22:34

I had a vauxhall corsa for my first car, loved it to bits. Totally reliable, relatively ok to insure and could fit tons in it!

What ever you get ( age depending) insurance on your first car is going to be expensive.

My dad is the same as yours Vonni he wont go near a second hand car. My Corsa i bought brand new ( think it was about 9 grand), sold when it was a year old bought a Peugeot 206cc, which has just turned 2 years old, and i have just sold to buy a 207cc ( which i should get in a few weeks). We always buy new and sell before warranty runs out.

Each to there own though! cars depreciate the second you drive them off the forecourt so i often wonder what the point of buying brand new is!

You could always go nearly new if your finances permit something that's 6 months-1 year old, so has already done its massive depreciation in price, but will still be pretty much new and come with a guarantee

Draco · 24-09-07, 23:23

My first car (that I owned) was a 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis.

The car I have now is a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis.

I loathe little cars.

Geck-o-Lizard · 24-09-07, 23:32

Hatchbacks? I agree; they're horrible.

I'd advise you get a cheap used car in good condition, disregard its model and colour, and use it for a couple of years til you're no longer a novice driver. That's my plan, anyway. I'll get a secondhand car and save up for a proper vehicle, which I'll buy once I'm experienced on the road. It seems like a really dumb idea to me to buy a brand spanking new car the day you pass your test, then total it a week later because you're still a newbie on the road.

CroftScionGuard · 24-09-07, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geck-o-Lizard

Hatchbacks? I agree; they're horrible.

I'd advise you get a cheap used car in good condition, disregard its model and colour, and use it for a couple of years til you're no longer a novice driver. That's my plan, anyway. I'll get a secondhand car and save up for a proper vehicle, which I'll buy once I'm experienced on the road. It seems like a really dumb idea to me to buy a brand spanking new car the day you pass your test, then total it a week later because you're still a newbie on the road.

May I say that I tottaly agree with you? Remember that good cars are expensive to maintain! Also remember that (not wishing that to anyone but) if someone crashes his/her car, the repair cost is far higher than a second-hand car!

Lara's Backpack · 25-09-07, 01:15

For my first and current car I got a Fiat Punto

It was on special down here for 20k drive away no dealer delivery ect. And I got a free "skydome" meaning the entire roof is a giant sunroof

Im very happy with it, even if learning to drive manual is extremely terrifying.

Hm.. I just went onto their site and the UK actually has a different punto to australia.... we only have what you guys call a 'grande'

(Mines red

)

Mr.Burns · 25-09-07, 01:47

Anything by Toyota. Never had any problems with them. I currently have a 95 Camry with 162K miles, no problems so far.

24-09-07, 20:34	#1
Trigger_happy Relic Hunter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 5,544	First car: Which one? I know its a bit early, with me not being 17 yet and all, but it takes me forever to make up my mind. What was everyone's first car, and what do you UK guys think about the Ford Puma as a first car? How much should I spend on a new car, how much would the insurance be about, and any tips? Pics would be great Cheers guys. __________________ I kept your tears in a jar, for proof.

24-09-07, 20:52	#2
Fish. Professor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Alabama Gender: male Posts: 4,239	Hey mate How much are you planning to spend on a new car? __________________ Don't stop the party

24-09-07, 20:59	#3
Voni Professor Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 4,093	My first car was a 99 reg Toyota Yaris, it cost me 3 grand but it's well worth it, it's never broken down on me (although it has needed a few repairs, as all cars do). I've been told by several people that Japanese cars are the most reliable. My dad keeps saying that the best thing to do is get a brand new car on some sort of payment plan, then replace it after three years when the warantee (sp?) runs out. At least that way you've got guaranteed breakdown cover and repairs for however long the warantee lasts for. __________________ 'Voni's avatar makes me wanna rock out to whatever she posts.' - Stereopathic

24-09-07, 21:10	#4
Earthcane Professor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 4,968	This is my ideal car : LOL!! __________________ "What are you waiting for? Just do it!" ~ Rorschach

24-09-07, 22:34	#5
clairelovestlc Archaeologist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ely Cambridgeshire England Posts: 2,100	I had a vauxhall corsa for my first car, loved it to bits. Totally reliable, relatively ok to insure and could fit tons in it! What ever you get ( age depending) insurance on your first car is going to be expensive. My dad is the same as yours Vonni he wont go near a second hand car. My Corsa i bought brand new ( think it was about 9 grand), sold when it was a year old bought a Peugeot 206cc, which has just turned 2 years old, and i have just sold to buy a 207cc ( which i should get in a few weeks). We always buy new and sell before warranty runs out. Each to there own though! cars depreciate the second you drive them off the forecourt so i often wonder what the point of buying brand new is! You could always go nearly new if your finances permit something that's 6 months-1 year old, so has already done its massive depreciation in price, but will still be pretty much new and come with a guarantee __________________ Clairey is watching you....

24-09-07, 23:23	#6
Draco Tomb Raider Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Terra, Sol Posts: 24,188	My first car (that I owned) was a 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis. The car I have now is a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. I loathe little cars. __________________ I'm responsible for what I say... I'm not responsible for what you hear.

24-09-07, 23:32	#7
Geck-o-Lizard Tomb Raider Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Paisley, Scotland Posts: 14,454	Hatchbacks? I agree; they're horrible. I'd advise you get a cheap used car in good condition, disregard its model and colour, and use it for a couple of years til you're no longer a novice driver. That's my plan, anyway. I'll get a secondhand car and save up for a proper vehicle, which I'll buy once I'm experienced on the road. It seems like a really dumb idea to me to buy a brand spanking new car the day you pass your test, then total it a week later because you're still a newbie on the road.

25-09-07, 01:15	#9
Lara's Backpack Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 1,421	For my first and current car I got a Fiat Punto It was on special down here for 20k drive away no dealer delivery ect. And I got a free "skydome" meaning the entire roof is a giant sunroof Im very happy with it, even if learning to drive manual is extremely terrifying. Hm.. I just went onto their site and the UK actually has a different punto to australia.... we only have what you guys call a 'grande' (Mines red ) Last edited by Lara's Backpack; 25-09-07 at 01:17.

25-09-07, 01:47	#10
Mr.Burns Tomb Raider Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 18,903	Anything by Toyota. Never had any problems with them. I currently have a 95 Camry with 162K miles, no problems so far. __________________ WARNING: Do not mess with the Pigeon...