First time car owner. What car would you recommend?

Question

I'm looking for a nice all round motor car have to consider miles per gallon. Must be cheap on parts. Cheap to insurance and repairs. I am over 25 years

What year make, model, and price should I avoid?.

I would appreciate help in this as there are so many makes and models around. I prefer medium sized car's, nothing too small such as 'mini types' and nothing too big and of course engine size 1.2 possibly

Any good sites to recommend appreciated

Answer 1

Ford Escorts. They are cheap for parts, you can get parts anywhere, cheap to insure and economical. I'm on my third Escort.

Answer 2

As several have said either a Honda or a Toyota. I have a '94 Honda with 295K miles on it and it should give me about another 100k as long as I keep up with the maintainance. I've changed the timing belt three times and kept up with the other required maintenance including oil changes. That is the most critical thing on any car.

However, if you will see according to another poster, Consumer Reports is where I look first. Unfortunately the annual auto issue comes out in April but you can always request a back copy. I wouldn’t buy a car without looking at it and never intend to buy a new car again.

Good luck

Answer 3

How to Buy Your First Car
Hot tips on the best buys for first-time owners

There are few events in life more exhilarating than getting the keys to your first car. It's like a ticket to freedom, a final break from the restraints of home and environment.

Regardless of whether that first car is an old beater or a brand new vehicle, treat it with reverence; nothing spoils the thrill faster than a sequence of breakdowns, especially when repair bills lead to car and driver being grounded. Even those fortunate enough to purchase (or be given!) a brand new automobile occasionally come to grief. Fuel and maintenance can be expensive. Driving a car in which the performance exceeds the owner's capability or common sense can be deadly... literally.

As school term approaches, many younger drivers find themselves in need of transportation and will soon acquire their first automobile. With that in mind, here is a simple guide to choosing that car.

Shifting for yourself
It may come as a shock to anyone raised on automatics but I strongly recommend buying a car with a manual transmission. If this means a few more driving lessons, so be it; the money you save with a manual will pay for the lessons.

Nothing teaches car control better than knowing how to shift gears and manipulate a clutch. Think of an automatic as learning to ride a bicycle with training wheels, then leaving them on permanently. Once those wheels come off you get the feel of the bike and it becomes part of you. In the same way, a manual will make you a safer, more capable driver. You'll have a much better sense of how a car functions mechanically. And you will save money in initial cost, in fuel, and in maintenance.

Most people start with a used car and that, of course, is a scary proposition. Avoid rushing into a set of pretty wheels just because the car looks good. It's the moment to be patient, to try before you buy. The essential thing to remember is this: Never buy a used car without having it checked by a reliable mechanic. Those few dollars you pay up front can save a small fortune later on.

Prefer a new car? Try before you buy. Never, ever, sign a check for a new car until you've given it a proper test drive... and that's more than a run around the block. And don't make an on-the-spot decision, no matter how persuasive the salesperson. You'll be spending thousands of hard-earned dollars. Go home and think it over.

Smaller is beautiful
Regardless of what well-meaning fathers or ageing uncles may have told you, there's no need to buy big. In most cases you're better off with something small, agile, and economical. (Concerned about safety? Nimble, smaller, cars can often maneuver around a situation where heavy vehicles can't get out of their own way. Besides, safety begins with the driver -- practice safe driving habits and maintain your vehicle properly.)

Be careful when purchasing sport-utes as starter vehicles. They may be all the rage at the moment but they're heavy, consume too much fuel, and have been known to roll over during sudden direction changes... due to a higher center of gravity. Much as I love them, I can't recommend sports cars to first-time buyers either. You need experience with something humbler before moving on to a machine that will be demanding of skill, along with the common sense that only comes with maturity.

Of course, the problems faced by the buyer of a used vehicle and those of a new car buyer are somewhat different. Reliability, price, and an enjoyable driving experience provide the criteria.



Whichever car you buy, treat it with love, reverence, and humility. Car ownership, like driving, is a privilege to be honored and enjoyed. Have fun!

Answer 4

I have driven many cars. The best advise I can give you is a cheap car with cheap parts= many repairs. If you stay away from your high end cars like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus you should be OK. The best cars I have found are 2001-2005 Honda CRV. Great on gas, storage, very little break downs.
1989-2004 Toyota Camry Also the Jeep Cherokee (small one) this car holds it value and if taken care of good for at least 200,000 miles.

Answer 5

The price you can afford depends on your finances. Since you haven't mentioned that here, I can't give you a recommendation on price range.

You should consider buying a used car that's about 3 years old. New cars depreciate quickly, meaning that they lose most of their value in the first couple of years. A 3-year-old car has already depreciated quite a bit, meaning that you're getting a good price, but it's only 3 years old, meaning that you're getting a solid car.

If you have a trusted friend who sells cars I would go to that person to help you.

In general, Japanese cars, especially Toyota, are known to be very relable and durable.

ConsumerReports.org has extensive information about cars, including reliability information. You might find a subscription to this service helpful in your search.

Answer 6

Sorry to say this but the Japanese have it with both reliability and MPG a good mid size Toyota or Honda, they might not have the personality of a European car but they just go on for ever and cost nothing to run (if serviced correctly)

Answer 7

If you want a good relaible car with good gas mileage, you can't beat a Honda or a Toyota.

When buying your first car, consider the running costs as well as the purchase price. Rather buy a more expensive car with lower running cost than a cheaper car with high running costs.
In the long-run it will work out cheaper.

Answer 8

No it will not hurt your motor just your wallet. High octane fuel has a more predictable burn to it and is needed in performance vehicles where they have the timing set so exact that if there were a lower octane fuel in it there would be detonation. If you have no problems with regular fuel keep running it and save yourself some cash. It is true that you will get a little better fuel mileage with higher octane fuel but the price difference does not make it worth it. Hope I have been helpful.

Answer 9

A medium-sized Toyota or Honda. Very reliable & inexpensive to maintain.

Answer 10

citroen have some very good deals and the cars hold their price. fuel effeciency good. upto 6 year old with full mot history for second hand. saxo model great and low insurance for non-modified models