Car shopping with a teenager...
Discussion
I had the salubrious task of car shopping with my nephew yesterday. I've got this to come with my own kids in the next 2 years, so I thought it would be good practice.
To be fair to the young fellow, he had done some homework and decided that he wanted a Corsa, 2007 or newer, and wasn't too fussed about spec. When I told him about the merits of aircon, central locking and electric windows though, he decided that these were definitely things he should have.
So car #1 was viewed, and there may still have been wet paint down one side of it, along with some dubious quality double sided tape holding the furniture on that side of the car. However before I had a chance to point out the 'sponsored by David's Isopon' stickers, the young fellow was car-struck, so a test drive followed. The thing actually drove ok, but my God a 1.2 engine is dangerously slow. Was my first car that lethargic? I'm not sure it was. Maybe because I've had diesels (and the ones that were petrol were a 330i & a 9-5 Aero) for a years now I've been spoiled.
I eventually tore him away from this particular example, and we sat in the car for 5 minutes, both on Autotrader looking for the next example. 10 minutes later we were on some chap's driveway looking at a much nicer example, a fully grown 1.4 SXI with what looked like original paint! 45 minutes later the deal was struck - cue one very happy nephew.
I just wondered if there were any tales out there on finding a car for the next generation, and if anyone else has techniques for guiding them away from a car you ultimately know is a dog?!
To be fair to the young fellow, he had done some homework and decided that he wanted a Corsa, 2007 or newer, and wasn't too fussed about spec. When I told him about the merits of aircon, central locking and electric windows though, he decided that these were definitely things he should have.
So car #1 was viewed, and there may still have been wet paint down one side of it, along with some dubious quality double sided tape holding the furniture on that side of the car. However before I had a chance to point out the 'sponsored by David's Isopon' stickers, the young fellow was car-struck, so a test drive followed. The thing actually drove ok, but my God a 1.2 engine is dangerously slow. Was my first car that lethargic? I'm not sure it was. Maybe because I've had diesels (and the ones that were petrol were a 330i & a 9-5 Aero) for a years now I've been spoiled.
I eventually tore him away from this particular example, and we sat in the car for 5 minutes, both on Autotrader looking for the next example. 10 minutes later we were on some chap's driveway looking at a much nicer example, a fully grown 1.4 SXI with what looked like original paint! 45 minutes later the deal was struck - cue one very happy nephew.
I just wondered if there were any tales out there on finding a car for the next generation, and if anyone else has techniques for guiding them away from a car you ultimately know is a dog?!
Yup, unrealistic expectations, ignoring the fact the first car is all about freedom, able to go where you want, when you want.
So his first car is a 1.2 encore engined fiesta, one lady owner for most of it's life then belonged to a friends daughter. New mot, very,very cheap, runs well, better after I've adjusted the throttle cable so you get more than 1/3 throttle movement.
Dirt cheap insurance, half the price of anything he was looking at (like corsas) and didnt break the bank of Dad.
We buy first car, usually cheap but reliable, as they'll only bump it anyway. Then they can save for what they really want
So his first car is a 1.2 encore engined fiesta, one lady owner for most of it's life then belonged to a friends daughter. New mot, very,very cheap, runs well, better after I've adjusted the throttle cable so you get more than 1/3 throttle movement.
Dirt cheap insurance, half the price of anything he was looking at (like corsas) and didnt break the bank of Dad.
We buy first car, usually cheap but reliable, as they'll only bump it anyway. Then they can save for what they really want
Took one guy out to see a few excellent first cars, he had a £1k budget and the one I was trying to recommend was an excellent condition vw lupo 6 years old 50k miles and agreed a (trade)deal on £700, NO he backed out as he wanted a clearly accident damaged clio we saw in a scrap yard also for £700 (it had most of the bumper and headlight stitched together with cable ties and glue). I refused to give him a lift to the scrap yard and told him that the car he wanted was scrap.
He went home and bought a 'vectra' unseen from the local paper, guy shows up after having a chat on the phone with him (and probably realising he knows nothing) in a cavalier with water pissing out of it, hands over the full £1k. Had to pay to get it towed away after about 3 months.
He went home and bought a 'vectra' unseen from the local paper, guy shows up after having a chat on the phone with him (and probably realising he knows nothing) in a cavalier with water pissing out of it, hands over the full £1k. Had to pay to get it towed away after about 3 months.
BFleming said:
When I told him about the merits of aircon, central locking and electric windows though, he decided that these were definitely things he should have.
BFleming said:
Maybe because I've had diesels ... I've been spoiled.
Eh?! 
Isn't it just a case of finding maximum horsepower (from a petrol engine) for the insurance premium they can afford? Kids these days...
I collected a Golf which is going to our lad on his 21st on Saturday.
£960. 2004 1.6 SE Mk 5 (he works for an insurance company and gets his insurance at 50%).
Other than being amazed at how slow it was for the engine, I was amazed at the equipment. Aircon (does it work?), leccy sunroof, power steering, ran sensors, auto lights, cruise control, folding mirrors. Thing has got the lot and actually drives extremely well.
He's been a slow starter at driving, so hopefully having this sat at home will get a giant kick up his ass. His grand parents have given him enough cash for a block book of lessons.
Would I like to go car shopping with him? No f
king way.
£960. 2004 1.6 SE Mk 5 (he works for an insurance company and gets his insurance at 50%).
Other than being amazed at how slow it was for the engine, I was amazed at the equipment. Aircon (does it work?), leccy sunroof, power steering, ran sensors, auto lights, cruise control, folding mirrors. Thing has got the lot and actually drives extremely well.
He's been a slow starter at driving, so hopefully having this sat at home will get a giant kick up his ass. His grand parents have given him enough cash for a block book of lessons.
Would I like to go car shopping with him? No f
king way.768 said:
BFleming said:
When I told him about the merits of aircon, central locking and electric windows though, he decided that these were definitely things he should have.
BFleming said:
Maybe because I've had diesels ... I've been spoiled.
Eh?! Isn't it just a case of finding maximum horsepower (from a petrol engine) for the insurance premium they can afford? Kids these days...
cbmotorsport said:
No advice to offer, but I wanted to say how lucky kids are today with cars. Air Con, CD/Aux/Bluetooth Stereos, central locking, air bags, electric windows etc
My first car had a MW radio, manual wind up windows and that was about it.
Luxury!!!My first car had a MW radio, manual wind up windows and that was about it.
Mine had sliding windows and a hole in the floor disguised with a rubber mat. At least it allowed the water that leaked in to escape on to the road.
48k said:
For a 17 year old's first car?
I was going to say "kids these days" but he didn't want those things and you told him he did! Bizarre.
He's 19! But I digress, I wanted him to buy the best kitted out car possible as it'll:I was going to say "kids these days" but he didn't want those things and you told him he did! Bizarre.
a) cost the same to buy now (budget is fixed)
b) be easier to shift in the future
c) we all like creature comforts - he didn't realise some cars (like a Polo 1.2E) came with Keep-Fit windows & no air-con
Based on 2 teenage girls priorities are (in order of importance)
Colour (their favourite or what's in fashion)
What their mates will think./cuteness
Bluetooth connectivity, phone charger slot etc
Sound system, DAB radio, connection to phone/ipod.
Heater.
. stuff I didn't pay attention to as I'd lost the will to live
.
.
Fuel type
Fuel economy
How it drives
Make/model
Colour (their favourite or what's in fashion)
What their mates will think./cuteness
Bluetooth connectivity, phone charger slot etc
Sound system, DAB radio, connection to phone/ipod.
Heater.
. stuff I didn't pay attention to as I'd lost the will to live
.
.
Fuel type
Fuel economy
How it drives
Make/model
My 8 year old MG Metro was bought with my own money after working as many hours as humanly possible. It was rusty, unreliable and had wonky suspension but I washed and polished it all the time and never once bashed or scratched it. The youth of today seem to expect mummy and daddy to pay, wash, service and sort out any issues etc etc and then but a new one when its "too old", crashed or just not cool enough any more!
A car cannot be "dangerously slow". Simply don't put yourself in a situation where you need massive acceleration powers that your car doesn't have.
I think this has been done to death in other threads. I have no idea why people say it. You could put me in a crappy gutless 1.0 Corsa (or whatever) right now and I would be able to drive it anywhere and everywhere, safely and competently, without it being "dangerously slow". And I could have done that when I was 17 as well. If you can't do that you should be taking the bus.
I think this has been done to death in other threads. I have no idea why people say it. You could put me in a crappy gutless 1.0 Corsa (or whatever) right now and I would be able to drive it anywhere and everywhere, safely and competently, without it being "dangerously slow". And I could have done that when I was 17 as well. If you can't do that you should be taking the bus.
zarjaz1991 said:
A car cannot be "dangerously slow". Simply don't put yourself in a situation where you need massive acceleration powers that your car doesn't have.
I think this has been done to death in other threads. I have no idea why people say it. You could put me in a crappy gutless 1.0 Corsa (or whatever) right now and I would be able to drive it anywhere and everywhere, safely and competently, without it being "dangerously slow". And I could have done that when I was 17 as well. If you can't do that you should be taking the bus.
<nods vehemently>I think this has been done to death in other threads. I have no idea why people say it. You could put me in a crappy gutless 1.0 Corsa (or whatever) right now and I would be able to drive it anywhere and everywhere, safely and competently, without it being "dangerously slow". And I could have done that when I was 17 as well. If you can't do that you should be taking the bus.
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