What Car Should I Buy

[Bazza-old]

i am currently looking to buy a car for my son

he is just about to take his test

obviously it needs cheap insurance

and low running costs

should i go for british, european or japanese

looking to spend £1000

any recommendations would be greatfully received

[Fidgits]

Okay, key points:

Cheap to insure

Cheap to fix

Cheap to run

Reliable

Me, I'd suggest a Honda Civic, VW Golf or similar... (better to have a decent amount of car around him, just in case)

DO NOT GET HIM A FIAT!

[ricky_is200]

Your not going to let him drive the Lex then bazza?

[BESTY]

toyota starlet :)

[Bazza-old]

Your not going to let him drive the Lex then bazza?

well ..... i would of course but i think the insurance company might never stop laughing

civic and starlet both choices are ones ive not looked at yet

back on autotrader i go

[billybandit]

seat ibiza, nice little motor B)

[Scorpion]

My son started off with a NOVA..........yes thats right,

but cheap to insure(fairly)plus with a few add ons,

wheels and exhaust,sounded preety nice too

and gave him trouble free motoring for two years.

nice starter car!!

And ian dont tar every youngster with the same brush!!!

[Bazza-old]

And ian dont tar every youngster with the same brush!!!

you are right though

[Fidgits]

Sorry Pete.. that wasn't what I was getting at... I know that most young drivers are quite sensible.. I was speaking more from experience..

4 days after passing my driving test, some old :tsktsk: drove straight into the side of my car! Cost me loads to get it fixed (3rd F&T insurance), and took the insurance company 8 months before I got the money back.

The Ibiza is a bloody good car too... looked at one a few years ago..

[Monster-Mat]

polo

[Bobski]

It's a strange thing that a low insurance group doesnt mean a lower premium, popularity of cars for younger drivers seams to push premiums up for those cars.

you might want to check up on the price of insurance for a number of cars before you decide.

also try for anything under 1100cc.

Polo/golf

escort/fiesta

nova/corsa

skoda (bet he wont go for that)

mini

fiat punto

Good luck on finding cheap insurance, i havnt heard of any kids round here getting below 900 pounds (3rd party only).

[Bazza-old]

It's a strange thing that a low insurance group doesnt mean a lower premium, popularity of cars for younger drivers seams to push premiums up for those cars.

you might want to check up on the price of insurance for a number of cars before you decide.

also try for anything under 1100cc.

Polo/golf

escort/fiesta

nova/corsa

skoda (bet he wont go for that)

mini

fiat punto

Good luck on finding cheap insurance, i havnt heard of any kids round here getting below 900 pounds (3rd party only).

you are so right

the deal is i buy the car he pays insurance

at least he can then pay monthly

and it does get his NCB started

[rhaines]

fiat 131 supermirafiori, it's so old the insurance is low, mine was reliable as hell till I killed it (my fault) and superb cars :D

classic styling and lots of fun

[UKPulse]

Honda Civic - they seem to run forever, & cheap as chips to run!

[Claire G]

I'd say Japanese from the reliability point of view, but not sure how cheap they'd be on insurance.

Avoid VW Golfs as they cripple you on insurance if you've just passed your test - my cousin was paying around £1200 and it was a G reg!!!

My first car was a battered Fiesta and I seem to remember that was the only thing I could afford to insure.

[Chris.S]

What about a nice little Toyota Corolla 1300, very reliable.

[rhaines]

I know of an MR2 lol....

It's red so would match the lex :)

[Bazza-old]

I know of an MR2 lol....

It's red so would match the lex :)

the one colour he doesnt want is red

dunno why

[ricky_is200]

What car does he want you to buy him Bazza?

I had two metro's as a student and although I loved them at the time I wouldn't want to go near one now as they just fall apart in an accident. At least newer Astra's (from J reg), Corsa's etc have door protection bars and airbags.

[Fidgits]

Just a couple of ideas for you...

But Nova/Corsa/fiesta idea is pretty good if he wants to keep the insurance down..

Although, I think the base model Fiat Cinquecento is group 1 insurance.. :duh:

But to be honest, you want to get him a car with some 'street cred', which is why i though about the civic.. its sensible & safe, but thanks to F&F its got a bit more 'cred' than it used to have..

[Bazza-old]

What car does he want you to buy him Bazza?

I had two metro's as a student and although I loved them at the time I wouldn't want to go near one now as they just fall apart in an accident. At least newer Astra's (from J reg), Corsa's etc have door protection bars and airbags.

hes not that bothered as he wont be paying for it

but does have certain reservations ie:no skoda or lada

my reasoning is that i get to choose a suitable car

and yes safety is a big factor

[Bazza-old]

Just a couple of ideas for you...

But Nova/Corsa/fiesta idea is pretty good if he wants to keep the insurance down..

Although, I think the base model Fiat Cinquecento is group 1 insurance.. :duh:

cheers ian

trying to find something more local though

definetly looking at civs now

is there an easy way of finding out insurance groups ??

if a car is group 1 , does that mean all group 1 cars are the same price??

[Fidgits]

I use here for insurance groups.

[tony_hetherington]

Have you thought of a Pug 205 XS 1100cc ?

Bloody amazing car. I've had one for 5 yrs - I carry my drums in it. Its THE most reliable car in the world, EVER.

Have a look around - you'd be surprised at what such a good car it is. The diesel engined ones last for even longer too !!!

[Bazza-old]

honda civic 1.3 group 9/10 :tsktsk: :tsktsk: