Im looking for my first car, but am unsure what would be suitable. Im a 20yr old female so im not looking to thrash the **** out of it like the boy racers ive seen,lol.

Also does spending more money buying it necessarily guarantee a better and more reliable car as opposed to spending £600 on an old nova or whatever? Sounds a silly question but some people i know spent 3k and it still breaks down more than a cheap one

Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated

 

Buy something nice to look at, reliable, minimal running costs and cheap to insure. I know someone selling a lovely 206 that fits the bill perfectly

 

LOL really who could that be?

206 has been mentioned alot to me. The thing is, i know nothing about cars (apart from where the petrol goes in..oh and how to drive it )
What type of things should i look out for when i go to look at second hand cars?

Total novice im afraid

 

pugs have a lot of mech probs so i have heard and that's from someone who works for a pug parts dept. for reliability etc, have a look at jap cars, ie honda,toyota. my first car was a honda civic which was nippy, without being fast and i didn't spend anything on the engine in 3 years of having it and it started EVERY time.

 

Its true that Pugs are not as well built as some of the other makes mentioned, but then again modern cars are all well built. Goe are the days when build quality was a REAL problem.

 

as long as you don't buy a metro you'll be fine! I can't stand metro's! the misses had one and threatened to pick me up!!!! she now has a pug 106 1.5 diesel. she's only had it a month or two and it seems ok! Bloody cheap to run too. Beats my £36.00 a week on fuel!!!

 

Thanks kicked, i'll have a look

 

Im already looking to get a diesel car with the cheaper running costs etc. Only want to get from A to B not looking for anything amazing.

 

My gf has a 206 1.6 Roland Garros. Great little car, has leather, climate, full length glass roof. Had the car 2 years now and not one problem. Test drove a new polo, clio etc and the 206 was far better to drive than those, retain value well too.

 

Consider an EK Civic (1996-2000) 1.4 or 1.5 Vtec-E they are nippy, without being boy racer fast and loud. Running costs are very reasonable and fuel economy is very good on both of them.

Reliability is absolutely amazing, my aunt had one and it didnt go wrong in 3 years, she is now on her second one and still as reliable as ever and looks very smart IMO...

Cheers,
Grant

 

What are opinions on Renault Clio's?

 

If you're after reliability and reasonably cheap running costs look at Honda/Toyotas. I know cars like the 206/Clio have more chic about them, but if geting from A to B in reasonable comfort without breaking the bank is paramount then Japanese is the way to go.

As to what to look for that really depends on your budget. If you've around £3K-£4K try and find a one owner cherished Corolla or Civic with plenty of documented service history and you should be fine.

One thing you have to think about being as young as you are is insurance - check this out before you even look as it may determine the kind of car you buy.

Regards,

tiggers.

 

clios are rubbish in fact renaults are rubbish peugeot is better but jap is best for reliability not for looks though!

if you want a nice car buy pug

if you want a reliable car buy something jap

 

Had a look at the civics. Alot of them about on autotrader, all seem reasonably priced without overly high mileage. Wouldn't have looked at them normally, but am definately going to think about getting one now

Thanks

 

that'll be about £50 each for the advice then weapon

 

"Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 BRAND NEW £26,995"

Only 25K to go then......

 

Ahh the delights of autotrader and making 2nd hand Evo's look affordable. (for a rich person )

Anyway what was that about A to B?

Wasn't me

 

Back to Honda Civic and the like

 

How about a smart car? mines very reliable, very cheap to run, very cheap to ensure and actually pretty nippy ( ok it has been chipped to 80bhp tho )

Depends if you need more space or not

 

As you are female, surely a Nissan Micra would suffice.

 

As i am female............Your point being?

 

Hi, I own a Renault Clio 1.2 16V, and I've driven the 206 aswell... I preferred the Renault. I'm 5'11 and I've had people complaining about the room, driving position etc, I honestly dont think its that bad. I've done 26K in just over a year and a half and nothing, and I mean nothing, has gone wrong with it. Cheap as chips on fuel and I think they are nice to look at. Its a new one by the way, I dont know how much you are looking to spend, but I dont know much about the old ones.

Hope you get what you are looking for.
Mustafa

 

I think im going to buy second hand trade. Not sure im confident enough to go round a private seller's place. Also, trade is more reliable??

 

when you say trade is more reliable, I would have to say "probably not". I would be very wary of trade type outfits especially ones that trade from a dodgy looking shop/hut. May be an established local business where someone you know has bought a car from would be better. Funnily enough I'm looking to buy a second hand car like yourself my budget being around 5k and I am considering Civics/Japanese for reliability reasons, I am also going to insist they let me do an RAC inspection on any potential car I'm interested just to be sure I'm not buying a lemon. I'd rather waste a couple of lots of £126 than £5000 :O)

 

I think I'm going to have to find someone who knows about cars to come with me!!