Which second hand car do you think would make an ideal first car for a new driver?

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/02062009/36/five-best-starter-cars-0.html

I think a small Fiat is ideal, easy to drive and cheap to run.

I think my mk2 punto was an ideal first car really,

personally i think a first car should:

cost less than £2000
insurance group 4 or below
engine capacity 1400cc or less

and then after say 6 months or a year upgrade to a brand new car if one can afford to do it!

Some wont like this but IMO the best, low cost (£600 - £1,000 for a decent 'un) car as a first drive has to be the bubble Micra. I bought 3 over the recent years, no breakdowns, cheap to fix and low insurance...

Mind you, all were for girls...

woofter

Hmm bit disappointed with Yahoos list - I think safety should get a bit more press. Thoing shave moved on considerably from the likes of the Saxo and old Ka.Given that a high percentage of ppl have an accident with a year to two of passing their test.

My first car was my last GP. A 1.2 active, safe, insurance group 2 and easy to handle (no power). Of course not everyone could afford one - I was lucky to be doing a year placement and being paid accordingly at the time.

BMW 3 Series, Luxury on the cheap

Well, we say 'luxury' - we actually mean 'nice badge'. If that appeals to you, an old-school 3 Series could be just the ticket. Read more

lol
what about insurance? on most of them

30111987 said:

Hmm bit disappointed with Yahoos list - I think safety should get a bit more press. Thoing shave moved on considerably from the likes of the Saxo and old Ka.Given that a high percentage of ppl have an accident with a year to two of passing their test.

My first car was my last GP. A 1.2 active, safe, insurance group 2 and easy to handle (no power). Of course not everyone could afford one - I was lucky to be doing a year placement and being paid accordingly at the time.

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I agree but unfortunately the safer newer cars are still too costly in most peoples eyes as a first drive... how can you put a cost v benefit on safety?

Tris Harris said:

woofter

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Come ere n spout that garbage to my boatrace Yorkie! :dead::nerner:

fiatdrivingfan said:

Which second hand car do you think would make an ideal first car for a new driver?

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/02062009/36/five-best-starter-cars-0.html

I think a small Fiat is ideal, easy to drive and cheap to run.

Click to expand...

Dont agree with the last part, if something goes wrong, it costs alot more to repair than a Ford for example, at least thats what I've found from my experience.

lol i still got my first car. punto mk1 1.2 8v.
bought it for £400 and its a minter lol. plus cant really get it fast enough to do any real damage haha

Tris Harris said:

I think my mk2 punto was an ideal first car really,

personally i think a first car should:

cost less than £2000
insurance group 4 or below
engine capacity 1400cc or less

and then after say 6 months or a year upgrade to a brand new car if one can afford to do it!

Click to expand...

Mk2's are perfect. Got mine for £3000 with 11,000 miles on it (5 year old aswell!) So cheap to run, easy to drive....

i learnt in a vito van for a bit

My first real car was a 126! more fun than a mini but need a fair bit of maintenance (had panda 4x4 and fiesta before that).
I found overall that my "Ideal first car" (Fiat) had to be the cento for fun and reasonable insurance. Depends on your budget i guess.. the micra's last an eternity, but you may as well drive a Ka if you're going over group one dont like 'em though

I had a mk1 punto 60S and loved it to bits. It wasn't as reliable as I had hoped but I'd happiliy have another. The mk2 is a poor replacement bar the properly mounted radio IMO. Though that's not to say it's terrible. Just make sure you save a lot of money. I know a few people who were just given a car whereas I had to work my fingers to the bone on nothing but paper rounds due to, "brightspark," employers not wanting to hire me (Argos and the like).

My first car (back in the day) was one of the first Ford Escorts.
Great car. It leaked from above and below. It had more holes than a collander, and when I executed one of my fast Paddy Hopkirk (ask your Dad) gearchanges, the stick frequently ended up on the back seat! Sadly as these are no longer available, I would have to nominate the Punto Mk2. Plenty of space for mates/luggage. Cheap to insure and fix. Quite good fun to drive, although steering could be better, but that's nit picking.

I had a Tipo as my first car. Drove my mum's 1.4 until I got given a 1.9 TD.

Great visibility, easy to drive, 5 door practicality, big enough car to hold it's ground on dual carriageways.

My first car was a Sunbeam Stiletto. You thought Fiats had headgasket problems!

Cheers

SPD

rallycinq said:

My first car was a Sunbeam Stiletto. You thought Fiats had headgasket problems!

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as ina chrylser sunbeam? oh dear...

Tris Harris said:

as ina chrylser sunbeam? oh dear...

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Nope, not a Chrysler Sunbeam, that was an Avenger with a hatchback. Don't 'dis' all Chrysler Sunbeams, the Lotus version with the 2.2 litre 16V was a cracker.

The Stiletto was a Hillman Imp fastback with twin carbs and twin headlamps.

Cheers

SPD