First Car Thread: Tips, Advice, So Forth

[Johnny B. Goode]

So I'm taking my driving test on the 3rd of July and once this is done, I was considering buying a car. I've been eyeing up a few, and have finally settled upon three.

1. Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique

Spoiler: Renault

This car is quite nice. Despite being French, it still looks decent, and from stories I have heard it is rather reliable, even with a high amount of miles on the clock. With a 1.2 litre engine, the insurance will be relatively cheap (for as cheap as insurance is). Also watching my favourite local Youtuber 'Boosted', I have seen that there is plenty of opportunity for minor, cheap modification to make the car look a little bit nicer than stock. These also sell quite cheap, around £750-£850, and there is a red-ish one around the corner where I live for £760.

2. Ford KA (the one that looks like an egg)

Spoiler: Ford

One of my mates at school got this when he passed his test, and he seems to enjoy it. My Mum used to have one too. You can pick one of these up for dirt cheap (starting around £250) and they tend to last a fair while. Yet again, it has a small engine and tends not to be used a lot by boy racers that crash a fair bit, resulting in insurance being cheaper, perhaps more so than the Clio. I wouldn't mind this car, however it's looks put me off it. Beggars can't be choosers, is what I'm told when I say this to my mates.

3. VW Polo 1.2

Spoiler: Volkswagen

This car is one that I have wanted for my first car ever since I was young. Being German built, you can tell it will be reliable, regardless of miles on it. Price of the car itself here is not a problem (cheapest I've seen is £650) however the insurance is. These types of cars, such as Polos or Golfs are likely to be nicked by chavs (and trust me, I live in quite a chavvy area) leading to the insurance being a lot, independent of who you go with.

I was looking to mod the first or third option, but not too much. Perhaps different rims and maybe getting it lowered a bit. I know it sounds like I'm trying to turn it into a racecar or something, but I just want it to look nice.

In terms of insurance, I'd prefer to not have a black box. I know it can be cheaper, however I don't fancy the idea of something monitoring how I drive in order to catch me out and charge me. I'd like a lot more to pay the fee whenever I need and drive how I want without having a box installed.

I just wondered if anyone had any tips or advice for a first time buyer, as well as telling me what cars are good and what companies to go for in terms of insurance.

Much thank

 

[Blackquill]

@Subeh @Raouldukejnr car freaks

 

[[PN] 0000hank0000]

if the money is not a problem just take the one you always wanted. the insurance can be payed in a future.

 

[Johnny B. Goode]

if the money is not a problem just take the one you always wanted. the insurance can be payed in a future.

That's a fair point, but when I buy the car, I want to start driving it ASAP, not having it sit there for weeks or even months

 

[Dostoevsky]

Personally, I would pick the VW Polo, but allow me to say I am American and to my knowledge neither the Ford Ka or Renault exist here.

German Engineering is always something to rely on, and therefore I'll go with the only car I know on this list being the VW Polo, however I wouldn't really mod it that much personally. Seeing as it's around 1999-2004 from how it looks the engine may not be what it used to, so modding it may not be worth it.

HOWEVER if you really want something you CAN mod, the face lifted Polo (Facelifted Mark IV) has a bit more beef under its hood, and considering its release was 2005 it will be cheap on the used car market. You could always go for a Golf but honestly if insurance is an issue I think you have a better idea on what's best than I do.

 

[nash]

The KA is the ugliest fucking specimen this Earth has had the honor to give birth to.


Go With THE VW, considering German Engineering is sheer beauty and the Other car looks like thin plate cheese grill.

 

[Johnny B. Goode]

Personally, I would pick the VW Polo, but allow me to say I am American and to my knowledge neither the Ford Ka or Renault exist here.

German Engineering is always something to rely on, and therefore I'll go with the only car I know on this list being the VW Polo, however I wouldn't really mod it that much personally. Seeing as it's around 1999-2004 from how it looks the engine may not be what it used to, so modding it may not be worth it.

HOWEVER if you really want something you CAN mod, the face lifted Polo (Mark IV) has a bit more beef under its hood, and considering its release was 2005 it will be cheap on the used car market. You could always go for a Golf but honestly if insurance is an issue I think you have a better idea on what's best than I do.

The Clio is nice, and will be far cheaper in terms of insurance. As I said, it's less likely to be nicked by chavs (or gangsters, if they can be compared to that in America) resulting in the insurance being quite low. Because of how the Polo looks like a Golf and can be done up nicely, and sold quite easily, they steal them a lot.

The KA is the ugliest fucking specimen this Earth has had the honor to give birth to.


Go With THE VW, considering German Engineering is sheer beauty and the Other car looks like thin plate cheese grill.

I agree that the KA is ugly, but the car itself as well as the insurance is dirt cheap

 

[nash]

but the car itself as well as the insurance is dirt cheap

Yea, but then you got to think of it this way.

Ford =/= good engineering for early factorized cars.
Ford =/= good lasting parts and equipment for a gar.
Ford == a car guaranteed to break down within the first month, regardless of the mileage.
Then again, i'm a motorcycle Rider so what do I know.

 

[Dostoevsky]

I agree that the KA is ugly, but the car itself as well as the insurance is dirt cheap

I feel like if you spend money on a car it should be something you are atleast proud of. If you think a Ka is ugly and a Polo might get stolen, go for the Clio, I don't know the specs but it doesn't look that bad.

 

[Johnny B. Goode]

I feel like if you spend money on a car it should be something you are atleast proud of. If you think a Ka is ugly and a Polo might get stolen, go for the Clio, I don't know the specs but it doesn't look that bad.

Let me get them for you fam

 

[Dostoevsky]

Let me get them for you fam

That's a whole 6-12 BhP more than the Polo which you have presented. (Engine wear will of course change this up most likely)

If the engine is easily workable which it most likely is because it's early 2000s, I'd go for it. Plus that's a nice MPG and I hear gas is worth it's weight in gold in the U.K.

Also props to you for manual trans.

 

[Johnny B. Goode]

That's a whole 6-12 BhP more than the Polo which you have presented. (Engine wear will of course change this up most likely)

If the engine is easily workable which it most likely is because it's early 2000s, I'd go for it. Plus that's a nice MPG and I hear gas is worth it's weight in gold in the U.K.

Also props to you for manual trans.

Automatic is for queers.

And you're right about the petrol costs. Don't know what it is for unleaded at the moment, but I'm sure it's a small fortune. My Mum filled her car up the other day for half a tank (only 150 miles) and it came near 40-50 quid

 

[ruben slikk]

Automatic is for queers.

PREACH

 

[nash]

Automatic is for queers.

And disabled people.

If you're looking for a nice car, just finish with the VW my friend.

 

[ruben slikk]

So I'm taking my driving test on the 3rd of July and once this is done, I was considering buying a car. I've been eyeing up a few, and have finally settled upon three.

1. Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique

Spoiler: Renault

This car is quite nice. Despite being French, it still looks decent, and from stories I have heard it is rather reliable, even with a high amount of miles on the clock. With a 1.2 litre engine, the insurance will be relatively cheap (for as cheap as insurance is). Also watching my favourite local Youtuber 'Boosted', I have seen that there is plenty of opportunity for minor, cheap modification to make the car look a little bit nicer than stock. These also sell quite cheap, around £750-£850, and there is a red-ish one around the corner where I live for £760.

2. Ford KA (the one that looks like an egg)

Spoiler: Ford

One of my mates at school got this when he passed his test, and he seems to enjoy it. My Mum used to have one too. You can pick one of these up for dirt cheap (starting around £250) and they tend to last a fair while. Yet again, it has a small engine and tends not to be used a lot by boy racers that crash a fair bit, resulting in insurance being cheaper, perhaps more so than the Clio. I wouldn't mind this car, however it's looks put me off it. Beggars can't be choosers, is what I'm told when I say this to my mates.

3. VW Polo 1.2

Spoiler: Volkswagen

This car is one that I have wanted for my first car ever since I was young. Being German built, you can tell it will be reliable, regardless of miles on it. Price of the car itself here is not a problem (cheapest I've seen is £650) however the insurance is. These types of cars, such as Polos or Golfs are likely to be nicked by chavs (and trust me, I live in quite a chavvy area) leading to the insurance being a lot, independent of who you go with.

I was looking to mod the first or third option, but not too much. Perhaps different rims and maybe getting it lowered a bit. I know it sounds like I'm trying to turn it into a racecar or something, but I just want it to look nice.

In terms of insurance, I'd prefer to not have a black box. I know it can be cheaper, however I don't fancy the idea of something monitoring how I drive in order to catch me out and charge me. I'd like a lot more to pay the fee whenever I need and drive how I want without having a box installed.

I just wondered if anyone had any tips or advice for a first time buyer, as well as telling me what cars are good and what companies to go for in terms of insurance.

Much thank

i'd say get the polo but the insurance's gonna be a problem, so the second best choice is a clio imo

 

[Johnny B. Goode]

PREACH

I mean, in the UK, learning and passing a manual test lets you drive manual and automatic cars. If you only learn on automatic, you can only drive an automatic