farmer1

Part of me wants to be practical and by the sensible small hatch, corsa or clio or something. I could get a nice tidy couple of years old model with alloy wheels, cd player and aircon for a couple of grand.

However another part of me wants to buy something like this


A steal at £3250

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

I still palpitate thinking about mine, lovely car but what a pain in the ****, plus it ISNT a first time car in any way shape or form.

farmer1

So go on hit me with what you had wrong with it. Its strange you would of thought after buying an Italian Bike I would have thought I wouldnt go near an italian car with a barge pole.

Yes I know it isnt the typical first time car, however it is affordable (maybe for a good reason- poor reliability?) However it is beautiful and different. Insurance may be a bit of a steep point but Im used to that.

Richard_P

Buy a good practical car to start with.

It's the worst time not being able to insure a decent car but worth it in the end, and don't modify the thing! I know lots of people that did and ended up stuck with their 1.4 for years because they spent so much on it. I always left mine standard and traded up year after year.

farmer1

I've just got the urge to go out and buy something like this.
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD...a?id=317478949

Now I managed at 17 to buy a brand new rs 125 just shy of 4k and have been able to run it finacially myself on just my weekend job.

I am now leaving school and starting a full time job, whilst living at home and feel this in the time in my life I will have most disposable cash. I just want something different.

But maybe you are right.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Is the mileage on it between 60 and 80k by any chance?. Cambelt change at 70k is normally an engine out job though some specialists say they can get by without removing it. Fiat quote £1400 for the service or at least they did when I got quoted...

mrtheedge2u2

the running costs on the GTVV6 can be shocking... my car had its engine out twice in 6 months and that was enough... car was sold...

the seats in the alfa were not very supportive, but the leather was lush... windows have a habit of not alligning properly, no room for passengers in the back, insurance is steep as are running costs, FSAH is a must!

would I get one for a first car??? would I bollocks.... I would get a nice zetec fiesta or something like that...

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The cam belt on the Fiat is 4/500 quid, not the issue some would have you beleive, the turbo was buggered on mine, lad who bought it, fixed it and the engine went, getting old now so unless its all been done dont bother, plus unless you are used to fast cars, for a first car its too quick, dont know you capabilities so may be wrong and they arent difficult to handle, just very fast for a novice driver.

You dont need anything that fast to have fun, now a nice MK2 8 valve Golf is quick enough and fun, it needs to be a minter though. The trouble is, you talk on a bbs and it all seems so tame talking about things like 112 bhp Golfs but back in the real world it is plenty quick enough to have fun. I had a Mark 1 GTI when I was 18 and that seemed very quick at the time after 1.6 Capri's.

AudiLover

There is a reason why the fiat and alfa are so cheap...

Andy M3

first car has to by a Aygo - or if you can't stretch to that get a Ford Ka. If i were doing it all again thats what i would get, depending on budget.

I would then get a good lowering spring 15" wheel combo and enjoy it. It is pointless stretching yourself to run something half decent, which would still end up boring you. Get a few years no claims and cheap motoring under your belt i would say.

hades

Save some more money, and get yourself a 306. Look tidy, the lesser engined versions are very cheap to insure (the old 1.9TD or 1.8 8v were only G5), and the chassis is much more entertaining to chuck around than most of the "sports" cars you'd get for similar money, and better than many modern hot hatches too. Cheap to run, the diesels go on for ever, and the older 1.9 can be turned up to 110-115bhp for about £100 (costs a bit more to chip the HDi, but can get good results). Save the money for a couple of years, build up NCB and then buy yourself something fast once you've been driving a couple of years and insurance on something fast is affordable.

All IMHO, of course

ScoobyDoo555

Fiat & Alfa are going to be big mistakes. Nice cars, but not for the first car.....

Dan

Brendan Hughes

Fiesta is plenty fun and you'll get more money back on it than a Focus.

scoobyster

If you're just leaving school, insurance will be insane on anything above group 10. If you want something different and insurable, get a classic

farmer1

Well you've just about put me off. I reckon its gonna have to be a Corsa 1.4 or TD for a couple of years. Cant stand small Ford's so I wouldnt go near the fiesta or ka with a barge pole.

A couple of year's hard work and maybe just maybe I can afford something like this.

Guess I am going to be living at home for a good few years. lol

Jonathan Davies

Golf mkII gti

My first car was a mini (a proper one). Sweet cars but horrible to work on that cramped engine bay. I'd have another though, they're lovely in town.

Depends what you want it for really. If things like air con are important then I guiess it is something newish like a corsa, or some value brand like a kia.

For general tooling around, a mk2 golf or a 306 would be fun. Probably get your money back on a mk2 as well...

Agree re power comments - 200 bhp was supercar power 20 years ago. Not really necessary in any way.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Late Mk2 Golf GL/Driver Tdi.

Brendan Hughes

Ian, most drivers think modern Fords are way more fun than Vauxhalls, but if you have your hatred, it probably won't shift.

My first car was a Dutton Phaeton at 18. Ford Escort mk2 engine with a Weber (not 2 )...I sold it 4 years later after rebuilding the brakes, engine, dashboard... A kit car is a way to get something fun and different, but I can tell you it'll spend a lot of time in your garage!

Here's someone else's:

MarkCSC

Well I had a Porsche 924 has my first car. Cost me an arm and a leg in insurance but it was relatively cheap to run.


(not mine)


Should have bought a Civic or a Golf if I was being sensible.

Get some quotes on a few cars first. It will shock you.