Cheap 1st Car for the Mrs
Discussion
The Mrs is in the market for her 1st car.. Well, I am as i'm paying...
She's a terrible driver by any standard, akin to an old lady who should probably hand her license in. It's mainly nerves. I think she'd be better off with an Auto as its one less thing to worry about. Issue is, she's refusing to have anything expensive. £2k is the budget and i'm trying to push to around £4k. If i'm honest I'd prefer her in a new car for safety and driving ease reasons but she's having non of it. The budget means most Auto's are out, so manual it is, oh well.
Criteria...
- Budget between £2k-£4k (cheaper the better)
- Small and easy to drive/park
- As practical as possible (we have a dog) and we plan on using this as the load lugger to save my car getting damage.
- Cheap/easy to maintain
- Cheap insurance (even though she's 27 it's going to be over £1k for a basic car)
- The car will be used for motorway journey's so small town cars are out.
The spanner in the works.. I'll be driving it and as I sold my weekend toy to fund this, I have some vested interest and want something Pistonheads acceptable...
She's been looking at Audi A2's, (BMW) Mini Clubman's and Suzuki Jimny's.
Audi A2 seems the best bet, but most look very leggy now. Mini's are top end of budget and puts her off. The Jimny is tiny inside and not great for comfort. I don't really want to drive any of these.
A wildcard is the Fiat Panda 100HP - It's in budget, small, 5 door, relatively practical (especially with factory roof bars), great spec and fun (which'll do me). Under 60k mileage can be had, quite a few pushing 100k, but most are pushing 10 years old now. I've never owned a Fiat at this age and it scares me.. Is that an unjustified though nowadays, or should I run for the hills?
Anything else I should be looking at?
She's a terrible driver by any standard, akin to an old lady who should probably hand her license in. It's mainly nerves. I think she'd be better off with an Auto as its one less thing to worry about. Issue is, she's refusing to have anything expensive. £2k is the budget and i'm trying to push to around £4k. If i'm honest I'd prefer her in a new car for safety and driving ease reasons but she's having non of it. The budget means most Auto's are out, so manual it is, oh well.
Criteria...
- Budget between £2k-£4k (cheaper the better)
- Small and easy to drive/park
- As practical as possible (we have a dog) and we plan on using this as the load lugger to save my car getting damage.
- Cheap/easy to maintain
- Cheap insurance (even though she's 27 it's going to be over £1k for a basic car)
- The car will be used for motorway journey's so small town cars are out.
The spanner in the works.. I'll be driving it and as I sold my weekend toy to fund this, I have some vested interest and want something Pistonheads acceptable...
She's been looking at Audi A2's, (BMW) Mini Clubman's and Suzuki Jimny's.
Audi A2 seems the best bet, but most look very leggy now. Mini's are top end of budget and puts her off. The Jimny is tiny inside and not great for comfort. I don't really want to drive any of these.
A wildcard is the Fiat Panda 100HP - It's in budget, small, 5 door, relatively practical (especially with factory roof bars), great spec and fun (which'll do me). Under 60k mileage can be had, quite a few pushing 100k, but most are pushing 10 years old now. I've never owned a Fiat at this age and it scares me.. Is that an unjustified though nowadays, or should I run for the hills?
Anything else I should be looking at?
Jimnys are great little 4x4s but I certainly wouldn't recommend one as a car. The Panda 100hp is worthy of consideration but they are catastrophically uncomfortable, roads which feel smooth in other cars have you thinking your spine will come out the top of your head and their simply isn't room for people of a decent size to be comfortable inside.
I would just pick one of the common superminis with a ~1.6l petrol engine such as a Clio, Fiesta, Swift etc. She will totally trash the car so there's no sense getting anything nice or shiny, all you should worry about is reliability and whether driving it will cripple you or send you mad.
I would just pick one of the common superminis with a ~1.6l petrol engine such as a Clio, Fiesta, Swift etc. She will totally trash the car so there's no sense getting anything nice or shiny, all you should worry about is reliability and whether driving it will cripple you or send you mad.
I wouldn't touch an old mini with a ten foot clown pole, they seem to throw up big bills like it's a competition. If you want an Auto, then Audi A2s are out. All of the UK RHD models have manual transmissions. Same with a Panda 100hp.
Best bet for your criteria sounds like a Honda Jazz. Obviously not a PH car but should do everything else admirably.
Best bet for your criteria sounds like a Honda Jazz. Obviously not a PH car but should do everything else admirably.
Erm, ok. Just offering some practical help as it sounds like he needs it.
If I wanted it to sound like an ad, I'd mention mileage and condition, service history and MOT status.....
I'll just contribute to the thread then.
Lets turn this into seventeen pages of conflicting opinions and mention every conceivable model while we're at it. Perhaps an argument for good measure.....
That should clarify his thinking.
I would recommend a Swift, by the way.
If I wanted it to sound like an ad, I'd mention mileage and condition, service history and MOT status.....
I'll just contribute to the thread then.
Lets turn this into seventeen pages of conflicting opinions and mention every conceivable model while we're at it. Perhaps an argument for good measure.....
That should clarify his thinking.
I would recommend a Swift, by the way.
Kia Picanto. You should be able to get one with some warranty left for your budget. Not glamourous but easy to drive!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Some Options:
2010 Fiat Punto Evo Sporting 77k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2008 1.2tce Clio Dynamique S 59k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2010 1.2 16V Dynamique 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2008 Fiat Bravo Active Sport 47k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Audi A2 SE 45k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2010 Fiat Punto Evo Sporting 77k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2008 1.2tce Clio Dynamique S 59k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2010 1.2 16V Dynamique 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2008 Fiat Bravo Active Sport 47k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Audi A2 SE 45k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Another small hatch with 100HP to consider would be a Fiesta Zetec S - LINK
The Renault Twingo might be a bit too small but the 1.2T GT has similar specs as the Panda and Fiesta - LINK
Stepping up in size there is always the Focus but I've always thought the Honda Civic of that time was a better looking 3dr car LINK
The Renault Twingo might be a bit too small but the 1.2T GT has similar specs as the Panda and Fiesta - LINK
Stepping up in size there is always the Focus but I've always thought the Honda Civic of that time was a better looking 3dr car LINK
Mitsubishi colt czt is what you need. Brilliant little things, just over 7 seconds 0-60 with 40mpg combined. Proper old school hot hatch feel to them, and in terms of practicality they're also brilliant! On the older czt (rather than the newer ralliart) the rear seat is a bench, which can slide forwards and backwards. In addition you can flip it up and forwards which gives you a flat loading bay big enough to fit a washing machine (I speak from experience!).
Alternatively the smart for four Brabus is exactly the same car, engine etc but brabus have managed to squeeze even more out of the engine (6.8 0-60).
They're readily available in your price bracket and aren't too bad on isuranxe either!
Alternatively the smart for four Brabus is exactly the same car, engine etc but brabus have managed to squeeze even more out of the engine (6.8 0-60).
They're readily available in your price bracket and aren't too bad on isuranxe either!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
This one, my wife had one as a first car, she loved it, I loved it our new born fitted... Take the parcel shelf out and a dog would be very comfy, great go anywhere car. Not fast just fun and I reckon full of character, especially the twinair.
This one, my wife had one as a first car, she loved it, I loved it our new born fitted... Take the parcel shelf out and a dog would be very comfy, great go anywhere car. Not fast just fun and I reckon full of character, especially the twinair.
Bit of an update, we've narrowed down the search.
VW Polo Dune
Audi A2
Fiat Panda 100hp
In that order.
I'm also keeping my eyes peeled for Jazz's and Mazda 2's but we don't think these are right for us.
I've been to view a few cars, and bloody hell, buying a used car nowadays is stressful. Adverts are s
t, descriptions are st. Sellers can't be arsed to answer the most basics of questions. Private sellers asking the same price as dealers and there is so much crap out there. Traders just seem to tart up crap cars and ask for a premium and unwilling to negotiate even a couple of hundred quid. Every trade car I've see seen is covered in in this wet look gel, I can only presume to make to car look great (until you wash it for the first time). bds. I'm done with Trade cars.
I've seen x2 cars which I wanted but both went within hours of being advertised to people buying without even viewing (madness!). What am I doing wrong, or is this just the market?
VW Polo Dune
Audi A2
Fiat Panda 100hp
In that order.
I'm also keeping my eyes peeled for Jazz's and Mazda 2's but we don't think these are right for us.
I've been to view a few cars, and bloody hell, buying a used car nowadays is stressful. Adverts are s
t, descriptions are st. Sellers can't be arsed to answer the most basics of questions. Private sellers asking the same price as dealers and there is so much crap out there. Traders just seem to tart up crap cars and ask for a premium and unwilling to negotiate even a couple of hundred quid. Every trade car I've see seen is covered in in this wet look gel, I can only presume to make to car look great (until you wash it for the first time). bds. I'm done with Trade cars. I've seen x2 cars which I wanted but both went within hours of being advertised to people buying without even viewing (madness!). What am I doing wrong, or is this just the market?
All 3 of your narrowed-down choices have been on my list at one time or another.
I guess you have some options between diesel and petrol also to consider and how long you plan to keep the car for. I guess for more long term ownership I would have the Polo Dune, but for some fun the Panda 100hp
The A2 I think is a bit too old now, but if you find one in excellent condition then you get a nice rare-ish quirky car with an aluminium body. I know I was close to getting a 1.6 petrol with the rare red leather seats at one time, but the car was too far away to even look at.
Good luck with your decision
I guess you have some options between diesel and petrol also to consider and how long you plan to keep the car for. I guess for more long term ownership I would have the Polo Dune, but for some fun the Panda 100hp
The A2 I think is a bit too old now, but if you find one in excellent condition then you get a nice rare-ish quirky car with an aluminium body. I know I was close to getting a 1.6 petrol with the rare red leather seats at one time, but the car was too far away to even look at.
Good luck with your decision
If the missus is nervous, she needs to get some confidence- and skill-building training. No car, even a brand new one, will stand up to getting side-swiped at 60mph by an HGV on the motorway, or smashed up the arse at a roundabout by someone who thought she was going to pull out like everyone else would have.
https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-driv...
https://www.rospa.com/safety-training/on-road/adva...
It's really not that expensive - and you can sweeten what she might see as an affront by saying you can both go through it together and use it as a good bonding experience.
She gets better, you get better, it reduces the risk of future arguments - win, win, win!
https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-driv...
https://www.rospa.com/safety-training/on-road/adva...
It's really not that expensive - and you can sweeten what she might see as an affront by saying you can both go through it together and use it as a good bonding experience.
She gets better, you get better, it reduces the risk of future arguments - win, win, win!
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Monday 5th June 18:59
seadragon said:
All 3 of your narrowed-down choices have been on my list at one time or another.
I guess you have some options between diesel and petrol also to consider and how long you plan to keep the car for. I guess for more long term ownership I would have the Polo Dune, but for some fun the Panda 100hp
The A2 I think is a bit too old now, but if you find one in excellent condition then you get a nice rare-ish quirky car with an aluminium body. I know I was close to getting a 1.6 petrol with the rare red leather seats at one time, but the car was too far away to even look at.
Good luck with your decision
I think the idea is keep it for a year and re-evaluate. I do think she's suited to a Automatic as it's one less thing for her to worry about, but I want her to get some experience with a manual - Once she has, she'll never forget. I guess you have some options between diesel and petrol also to consider and how long you plan to keep the car for. I guess for more long term ownership I would have the Polo Dune, but for some fun the Panda 100hp
The A2 I think is a bit too old now, but if you find one in excellent condition then you get a nice rare-ish quirky car with an aluminium body. I know I was close to getting a 1.6 petrol with the rare red leather seats at one time, but the car was too far away to even look at.
Good luck with your decision
I'm with you on the car choice, the Dune is more practical and a littler newer so should have some good life left in it, but most have been used as shopping cars or appliances and are battered/ill-maintained. The ones I've seen look like they've never seen a proper hand wash or polish in their life, curbed wheels, mix-matched tyres, minimum maintenance. £3k will see me in a decent one, but it'll definitely need a once over and a good £500 spare for things like brakes, top mounts etc.
The A2's are all very long in the tooth and seem over priced for what they are.I looked at a Black with Red leather recently but it was tired, needed a full weekend for a deep clean alone never mind the nitty gritty stuff. I think most are at that age where they've gone through that stage of a cheap run around/mileage eater and have been run into the ground so on their last legs. The survivors of this demand a silly premium, £3k plus and these still need something. I'm reluctant to spend top money for a car which still needs work..
I want something cherished which with the two above, is very hard to come across - It's the wrong type of car. The owners of these think a full service history and no expense spared means a MOT and basic service/maintenance when forced to. Curbed wheels, missing trim, mix-matched tyres, wheel alignment, suspension knocks all seem par for the course. All are filthy as they've never actually seen any more than a quick £5 local hand wash for the past 10 years. When you actually look in the nooks and crannies you shudder at the grime.
I want petrol, I've never had a diesel and I really don't think now is the time to buy one; far too much uncertainty with diesels.
And this brings me onto the Panda..
The Panda's have great reviews and the only bad thing people mention is the ride. They are newer, plenty on the market with low mileage, although condition is all over the shop, some look mint, some battered. I think they've bottomed out financially and are now at that age where there are good ones but they get snapped up and will return on the market in the next few years as battered ones. I can't see them dropping any more due to the cult following - It's the right time to buy one. A Fiat is well out of my comfort zone which is why i'm apprehensive about these. But the more I think about it, the Panda is the right choice.
RSTurboPaul said:
If the missus is nervous, she needs to get some confidence- and skill-building training. No car, even a brand new one, will stand up to getting side-swiped at 60mph by an HGV on the motorway, or smashed up the arse at a roundabout by someone who thought she was going to pull out like everyone else would have.
https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-driv...
https://www.rospa.com/safety-training/on-road/adva...
It's really not that expensive - and you can sweeten what she might see as an affront by saying you can both go through it together and use it as a good bonding experience.
She gets better, you get better, it reduces the risk of future arguments - win, win, win!
She has mentioned about these as a refresher, but I think it's more a confidence thing as it's been almost a year since she was behind the wheel. This should improve with experience. I'll speak to her, for a couple of hundred quid it's worth it I think. https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-driv...
https://www.rospa.com/safety-training/on-road/adva...
It's really not that expensive - and you can sweeten what she might see as an affront by saying you can both go through it together and use it as a good bonding experience.
She gets better, you get better, it reduces the risk of future arguments - win, win, win!
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Monday 5th June 18:59
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd say turn that list upside down.
I was thinking this myself last night. 
I was in this position a few months ago, though my missus doesn't yet have a licence.
She wanted a Jimny or similar but wanted to learn in an auto and auto Jimnys are quite a rarity and overpriced if you ask me.
We ended up with a 2001 Mini Cooper auto which we're both very happy with - no big bills yet and it cost us £1400.
It's fun on my back road commute and she thinks it feels solid and confidence inspiring.
She wanted a Jimny or similar but wanted to learn in an auto and auto Jimnys are quite a rarity and overpriced if you ask me.
We ended up with a 2001 Mini Cooper auto which we're both very happy with - no big bills yet and it cost us £1400.
It's fun on my back road commute and she thinks it feels solid and confidence inspiring.
Well chaps, ended up with this:
34330351164_7bd857aae8_o by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
22k from new, old lady owner who's used it regularly but only to the shops and back kind of thing. Has a few age related marks but nothing more than the odd chip here and there from what looks like a handbag or similar touching the paint. Needs a good polish but otherwise fantastic condition.
Drove it back 150 miles and it's faultless, drives bloody fantastic. I wish my first car would have been something like this!
34330351164_7bd857aae8_o by Rich Perkins, on Flickr22k from new, old lady owner who's used it regularly but only to the shops and back kind of thing. Has a few age related marks but nothing more than the odd chip here and there from what looks like a handbag or similar touching the paint. Needs a good polish but otherwise fantastic condition.
Drove it back 150 miles and it's faultless, drives bloody fantastic. I wish my first car would have been something like this!
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