My Choice For a First Car

[TedLeveTT]

Hello All,

Hope to pass my test in April time and cannot wait. I discovered my inner petrol head in around 2014, I know, very late, I am an enigma, glorify me later. I am now 17 and looking on the market for idea for my first car. I would love a classic MINI, possibly the MK7 but I have to agree with my dad, they are very unsafe so that will most likely be pushed to my second car.

I hate the 2008-2012 C1, Aygo, 108 ect are too similar and all of them are boring and bland.

So I have come to the decision I would like a 2009 to present Ford Ka. I like the looks, the interior is also very nice and they supposedly have a very nippy 69 HP 1.2l engine. I got an insurance quote and the prices were very reasonable starting at around £1000. Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

Thanks

[GetCarter]

TedLeveTT said:

Hello All,
Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

Thanks

Once you've passed your test, do a couple of track days. You'll learn more in 2 hours than any amount of 'pass your test' tuition. You'll also learn how not to die.

Really. Do it.

[dub16v]

TedLeveTT said:

Hello All,

Hope to pass my test in April time and cannot wait. I discovered my inner petrol head in around 2014, I know, very late, I am an enigma, glorify me later. I am now 17 and looking on the market for idea for my first car. I would love a classic MINI, possibly the MK7 but I have to agree with my dad, they are very unsafe so that will most likely be pushed to my second car.

I hate the 2008-2012 C1, Aygo, 108 ect are too similar and all of them are boring and bland.

So I have come to the decision I would like a 2009 to present Ford Ka . I like the looks, the interior is also very nice and they supposedly have a very nippy 69 HP 1.2l engine. I got an insurance quote and the prices were very reasonable starting at around £1000. Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

Thanks

Said no one ever.

Despite this they are good fun to chuck around and do not possess licence-losing power.

The answer, of course, is MX5.

[JulianHJ]

The Fiesta is a much nicer car all round. At the very least drive examples of both before committing to a Ka.

[TedLeveTT]

GetCarter said:

Once you've passed your test, do a couple of track days. You'll learn more in 2 hours that any amount of 'pass your test' tuition. You'll also learn how not to die.

Really. Do it.

A track day with the car I end up buying? I suppose that does make sense, although annoying, I think I will be quite responsible due to my girlfriend being in the passenger seat 90% of the time, but thanks!

[TedLeveTT]

dub16v said:

Said no one ever.

Despite this they are good fun to chuck around and do not possess licence-losing power.

The answer, of course, is MX5.

I can imagine insurance would be the problem with the MX5, no chance, have considered if for a second car though.

[V40Vinnie]

TedLeveTT said:

I can imagine insurance would be the problem with the MX5, no chance, have considered if for a second car though.

OP its the done thing on Pistonheads that no matter what the question problem the answer is ALWAYS Mazda MX5

[GetCarter]

TedLeveTT said:

GetCarter said:

Once you've passed your test, do a couple of track days. You'll learn more in 2 hours that any amount of 'pass your test' tuition. You'll also learn how not to die.

Really. Do it.

A track day with the car I end up buying? I suppose that does make sense, although annoying, I think I will be quite responsible due to my girlfriend being in the passenger seat 90% of the time, but thanks!

Trust me. it'll be the best £150 you've ever spent.

A 19 year old girl wrote off her car here today (1/2 mile from my house), as she'd never had a skid before. She is fine, but very lucky. No training except 'how to pass test'. so didn't really stand a chance.

I'll get off your back. !

[Percent]

dub16v said:

TedLeveTT said:

Hello All,

Hope to pass my test in April time and cannot wait. I discovered my inner petrol head in around 2014, I know, very late, I am an enigma, glorify me later. I am now 17 and looking on the market for idea for my first car. I would love a classic MINI, possibly the MK7 but I have to agree with my dad, they are very unsafe so that will most likely be pushed to my second car.

I hate the 2008-2012 C1, Aygo, 108 ect are too similar and all of them are boring and bland.

So I have come to the decision I would like a 2009 to present Ford Ka . I like the looks, the interior is also very nice and they supposedly have a very nippy 69 HP 1.2l engine. I got an insurance quote and the prices were very reasonable starting at around £1000. Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

Thanks

Said no one ever.

Despite this they are good fun to chuck around and do not possess licence-losing power.

The answer, of course, is MX5.

FTFY

Hope to pass my test in April time and cannot wait. I discovered my inner petrol head in around 2014, I know, very late, I am an enigma, glorify me later. I am now 17 and looking on the market for idea for my first car. I would love a classic MINI, possibly the MK7 but I have to agree with my dad, they are very unsafe so that will most likely be pushed to my second car.

I hate the 2008-2012 C1, Aygo, 108 ect are too similar and all of them are boring and bland.

So I have come to the decision I would like a 2009 to present Ford Ka . I like the looks, the interior is also very nice and they supposedly have a very nippy 69 HP 1.2 engine. I got an insurance quote and the prices were very reasonable starting at around £1000. Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

[jackroutly]

As my first car 3 years ago now, I ended up buying a 2005 MK2 1.2 16v Clio, Tad more powerful than the Ka at 75hp but still really light (I think it's rated at just under 1 tonne). In my opinion it's a great handling little car and although there's not a huge amount you can do to it performance wise, as they share the same platform as the RenaultSport 172/182, there's loads of scope for easy upgrades cosmetically if that's your cup of tea. Also, you could buy a really really nice one for under a grand

Edited by jackroutly on Thursday 12th January 14:47

[RushDom]

V40Vinnie said:

OP its the done thing on Pistonheads that no matter what the question problem the answer is ALWAYS Mazda MX5

A remapped MX5 is an even better answer.

[hoagypubdog]

Going to suggest base model Sandero, unpainted bumpers so won't highlight mistakes, the pleasure of fitting a stereo as doesn’t come with one and cheap to buy second hand, should have some warranty left too.

[Merry]

TedLeveTT said:

So I have come to the decision I would like a 2009 to present Ford Ka. I like the looks, the interior is also very nice and they supposedly have a very nippy 69 HP 1.2l engine. I got an insurance quote and the prices were very reasonable starting at around £1000. Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

Thanks

Isn't that a Fiat engine? In fact isn't the KA of that era Fiat 500 based?

If that's so I'd have a look at 500 and Pandas. They sold more so there'd be more choice. The 500 holds its value fairly well too if you plan on upgrading after your first 12 months.

Panda has more room for shagging though. That's got to be the main priority at 17 hasn't it?

[TedLeveTT]

V40Vinnie said:

OP its the done thing on Pistonheads that no matter what the question problem the answer is ALWAYS Mazda MX5

Hahaha, thanks for telling me Vinnie!

[hoagypubdog]

Merry said:

Isn't that a Fiat engine? In fact isn't the KA of that era Fiat 500 based?

If that's so I'd have a look at 500 and Pandas. They sold more so there'd be more choice. The 500 holds its value fairly well too if you plan on upgrading after your first 12 months.

Panda has more room for shagging though. That's got to be the main priority at 17 hasn't it?

I had a Fiat Panda and my sex life became similar to a real pandas, just saying...

[EazyDuz]

1.6 Hyundai Coupe, to be different from the refrigerators on wheels like fiestas and peugeots

[CaptainCosworth]

Or.....

How about a Mk1 KA, or a Mk5 or 6 Fiesta? Still good fun to drive, but cheaper to buy, and it'll cost you less if you reverse into a post/drive into a ditch/etc etc.

Get a year or 2 of no claims under your belt and then use the money you've saved to buy something with a bit more poke

[TedLeveTT]

jackroutly said:

As my first car 3 years ago now, I ended up buying a 2005 MK2 1.2 16v Clio, Tad more powerful than the Ka at 75hp but still really light (I think it's rated at just under 1 tonne). In my opinion it's a great handling little car and although there's not a huge amount you can do to it performance wise, as they share the same platform as the RenaultSport 172/182, there's loads of scope for easy upgrades cosmetically if that's your cup of tea. Also, you could buy a really really nice one for under a grand

Edited by jackroutly on Thursday 12th January 14:47

Thanks Jack, definitely helps. I have always liked the Clio, especially the 182, but with the 182 being out of reach leaving me with the standard Clio I find they are becoming at little dated in my opinion. I would like, preferably, to buy a newer car I would keep for around 3/4 years and save up for something special for a second car.

Do you still have your Clio?

[TedLeveTT]

hoagypubdog said:

Going to suggest base model Sandero, unpainted bumpers so won't highlight mistakes, the pleasure of fitting a stereo as doesn’t come with one and cheap to buy second hand, should have some warranty left too.

Had a quick look on gumtree (don't ask why gumtree) and they seem a little above my budged. My budget being top end £3.7k. But the idea does definitely sound very good, will definitely look into it.

[Mammasaid]

GetCarter said:

TedLeveTT said:

Hello All,
Any advice,suggestions or stories are welcome.

Thanks

Once you've passed your test, do a couple of track days motorway lessons. You'll learn more in 2 hours than any amount of 'pass your test' tuition. You'll also learn how not to die. to keep left unless overtaking.

Really. Do it.

Fixed that.

P.S. Pass plus should help and lower your premiums.