What would be a good 1st car here in the UK?

Question

I want a car used car for between 500 - 1000 which is consider to be a little cool, economical, not to bad on insurance reliable and possiable cheap bits. I've been looking at corsas and peugots but I would like some thing with PAS if poss.

Answer 1

find a mini cooper they are cool and cheap

Answer 2

The Fiesta range may not be cool but they are reliable and secondhand quite cheap. Spares are freely available and you can do some minimum mods to make them cool but will not effect the insurance cost. Stay away from any other foreign car even though they may have been made in the UK as the spares costs are a horror story.
Best advice is to get an uncool car for a couple of years and build up an insurance record then go for something better suited to your image.
Best of luck and have a good Christmas.

Answer 3

Both the cars you mentioned are a bit pricey, especially peugeots (unless you're looking at the 106 model).

Nissan Micras are pretty good, cheap to run, and reliable. They're economical and small enough too. Soo too, with Ford Fiestas, but depending on the individual model itself, maybe a bit small. If you can broaden your budget above the 1000 mark, have a look at the Fiat Punto, and Renault Clio. All have pretty small engine capacities, so it will not rip up on your fuel expenses, and I'd say the insurance price tag will come in a bit lower too, as they're compact.

Just a few options for you. Good luck, hope you manage to get your perfect first car!

Answer 4

for that price you will easily pick up a corsa or a fiesta which are both resonable first cars which are both prone to there faults,
the fiesta has two engine types (depending on age and model type ) it will either contain an ENDURA-E engine or a ZETEC engine the endura e type is a push rod engine meaning that the cam shaft is situated in the cylender block and the valve opening action is carried to the valves via push rods which is not the most efficient way of doing things and this will effect performance and fuel economy. The zetec comes as a 1.25l,1.4l,1.6l,1.8l in the fiesta which is depending on model obviously for insurance purposes and your budget you would be fortunate to find a zetec fiesta with 1000 to spend
The corsa is a good all rounder the engines range from1.0 12v(3 cylender engine) 1.2,1.4 8v,1.4 16v,1.6 16v the 1.2 are quite gutless but the 1.4 8v is quite nippy and i feel nicer to drive the higher powered engines are possibly to expensive to insure but if u want info just ask.The corsa engines are all over head camshaft engines so they perform better than the pushrod engines in the ford.both cars suffer from one thing that you cannot prevent and that is age make sure when you are buying take somebody that knows the patter that goes with buying used cars as it can be a mine field
The parts for both vehicles are both similarly priced in all fields (eg brakes, suspention, clutch etc) which is reasonable unlike japanese parts as these can be sometimes double the cost of vauxhall/ford parts so it is sometimes wise to stay clear of the older japanese models

Answer 5

Maybe a little hard to find something that's modern,cool and hadn't had the balls knocked out of it in that price range. Saying that you really can't beat eBay for corsas and the like.
Have you thought of the 80's retro route. Try spotting the up and coming classics. Parts will be cheap, If its below 1.2 it's likely to be group 1 and it'll be a doddle to fix if it does go wrong. And retro is always cool.
I'm biased, but you could do a lot worse than a Mk1 Fiat Panda Sisley 4x4. They go for about the £1000 mark for a clean one with full MOT and when you come to sell you should easy get your money back.
Go Retro, you know it makes sense!!

Answer 6

Peugeot 106 / Citreon Saxo ,both the same car under a different badge.

Saxo's have loads of styling mods you can add on. the steering is so light on them, you may find that PAS isn't needed.

Parts are dirt cheap from a motor factor. Oil filter is £2, air filter £5 and fuel fliters around £2.
I got a starter motor, exchange, for a peugeot for £38 plus the VAT. there are also loads in scrapyards so spares are obtainable.

106's can do 40 mpg+ on urban cycle, 45 - 50 on a run.

Answer 7

Try to find VW Polo 1.4 CL white colour usually cheaper than other.Pay £1500 for 1998 R registration no more than 45000 miles.insurance cheap and 45 mpg.reliable car.

Answer 8

Corsa!

Amazing for petrol, it's quite cheap, nippy and it'll not take much for insurance.

You said you don't want a Corsa? Just get one!

Answer 9

under £1000.....Difficult one..... Rover 214?
Renault Megane, Toyota Corolla, Citroen Xantia diesel, 306 diesel....
OH YES YES YES the ford KA is a briliant little car!

Answer 10

The Ford Ka has power steering and is FAB!