Advice needed - which car (UK)?

[Boot_WB]

I passed my driving test today! Second time round - failed the first time due to a relatively minor error which I should have avoided, but hey-ho!

Now I'm looking out for a car: 4 wheels, some seats, some sort of engine... but this is where my knowledge ends.

My priorities are:
Reliability
Fuel consumption (cost)

I don't give a monkeys about what it looks like, the enjoyment of the ride, what make, etc, as long as it runs with low maintenance and fuel consumption costs.

I'll be using it for a 35-40 mile each way commute Monday-Friday, mainly on A-roads; town driving will constitute a low proportion of my driving, as I have my bike for shopping, etc.

I have the vague impression that I should probably be looking for a 1.4 litre diesel, but by saying this I am not implying any sort of understanding. When people start talking about cars in this way I tend to switch off.

Advice please?

[bloodline]

Congrats! Freedom awaits!

I really would like to get another car, but I'm going to wait until I can afford a Hybrid though :-)

[Speelgoedmannetje]

I've heard a lot of good things about Honda.

[motorollin]

A Golf, a Polo or a Fabia. They're nippy, quite economical, reliable, and are all VW Group cars so the parts are relatively cheap and readily available.

I had several Fabias on 6 month loans and they are *very* nice cars. Every time I replaced the car the features got better and better. The last one I had had air con, electric everything, CD player, the works. And the interior and exterior are really smart too.

Golfs, Polos and Fabias also regularly feature in "Best Of" awards, so you know you're getting good value for money and reliability.

Edit - Oh yeah, and congrats :-) All the best drivers pass on their second attempt.

[Boot_WB]

Congrats

Thanks guys  :-)

[bloodline]

motorollin wrote:

Edit - Oh yeah, and congrats :-) All the best drivers pass on their second attempt.

I guess I'm unique then... I passed first time... twice! :-o

[A4000_Mad]

Congrats Boot_WB :pint:

By an amazing fluke I drove from my second driving lesson to the test centre and passed 1st time. Even my instructor was in shock :lol:

Remember that passing your test is only the beginning. It will take many months to learn all the dangers of being out there on the road :nervous:    

[smithy]

Boot_WB wrote:
I passed my driving test today! Second time round - failed the first time due to a relatively minor error which I should have avoided, but hey-ho!

Now I'm looking out for a car: 4 wheels, some seats, some sort of engine... but this is where my knowledge ends.

My priorities are:
Reliability
Fuel consumption (cost)

I don't give a monkeys about what it looks like, the enjoyment of the ride, what make, etc, as long as it runs with low maintenance and fuel consumption costs.

I'll be using it for a 35-40 mile each way commute Monday-Friday, mainly on A-roads; town driving will constitute a low proportion of my driving, as I have my bike for shopping, etc.

I have the vague impression that I should probably be looking for a 1.4 litre diesel, but by saying this I am not implying any sort of understanding. When people start talking about cars in this way I tend to switch off.

Advice please?

Well done :-)

Shop around and test drive a few to see what you like.  Personally, I'd go for a Fiat Punto.  Cheap, stylish, economical.

[bloodline]

Boot_WB wrote:
I passed my driving test today! Second time round - failed the first time due to a relatively minor error which I should have avoided, but hey-ho!

Now I'm looking out for a car: 4 wheels, some seats, some sort of engine... but this is where my knowledge ends.

My priorities are:
Reliability

TVR Chimera... OK, they break down all the time... but they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

Fuel consumption (cost)

Still gotta run with the TVR Chimera... OK, with that 6 litre truck engine it drinks petrol like a wino... but they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

I don't give a monkeys about what it looks like,

Still gonna go with the TVR Chimera... they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

the enjoyment of the ride,

I think, TVR Chimera... OK, it's a sports car, the ride will be as hard as rocks... but they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

 what make, etc, as long as it runs with low maintenance and fuel consumption costs.

Yeah, yeah... but it's a  TVR Chimera... they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

Advice please?

I'd suggest a TVR Chimera...

[AJS]

bloodline wrote:

Boot_WB wrote:
I passed my driving test today! Second time round - failed the first time due to a relatively minor error which I should have avoided, but hey-ho!

Now I'm looking out for a car: 4 wheels, some seats, some sort of engine... but this is where my knowledge ends.

My priorities are:
Reliability

TVR Chimera... OK, they break down all the time... but they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

Fuel consumption (cost)

Still gotta run with the TVR Chimera... OK, with that 6 litre truck engine it drinks petrol like a wino... but they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

I don't give a monkeys about what it looks like,

Still gonna go with the TVR Chimera... they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

the enjoyment of the ride,

I think, TVR Chimera... OK, it's a sports car, the ride will be as hard as rocks... but they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

 what make, etc, as long as it runs with low maintenance and fuel consumption costs.

Yeah, yeah... but it's a  TVR Chimera... they look great and I'm sure ideal for impressing the ladies/guys/German supermodels/whatever takes your fancy...

Advice please?

I'd suggest a TVR Chimera...

Whilst a very Nice car Could he afford the insurance!!!!
having just passed his test what ever car he gets the insurance will hit hard, so that's something to take into consideration, for the first year driving something cheap and cheerful to build up the no claims.
like Moto said a small VW or a Vauxhall Nova/Astra or a Small ford easy to service and get spares anywhere.
Happy Motoring :-D

[twizzle]

as an ex ford mechanic, you cant go wrong with a fiesta
easy to work on, good fuel consumption, and not to many electrics (expensive on all cars)

second choice vw polo or golf excellent build quality :-)

fiat  :-( cam belt MUST be replaced at 60.000, h/gasket usualy fails at this milage too, also the rear radious arms. good nippy engine and fuel consumption.

try to stay away from cars with a lot of electrical gadgets until you can afford it?

find a good mechanic to go with you to inspect the car
£20 should grease his palms enough
 :-)

the choice is yours

[bloodline]

twizzle wrote:

as an ex ford mechanic, you cant go wrong with a fiesta
easy to work on, good fuel consumption, and not to many electrics (expensive on all cars)

second choice vw polo or golf excellent build quality :-)

fiat  :-( cam belt MUST be replaced at 60.000, h/gasket usualy fails at this milage too, also the rear radious arms. good nippy engine and fuel consumption.

try to stay away from cars with a lot of electrical gadgets until you can afford it?

find a good mechanic to go with you to inspect the car
£20 should grease his palms enough
 :-)

the choice is yours

So what you are saying is he should get a TVR Chimera... :inquisitive:  :-D

[twizzle]

 dont you mean a buggatti varon  :-D

[bloodline]

twizzle wrote:



 dont you mean a buggatti varon  :-D

Foreign rubbish! ;-)

-Edit- Oh wait... that's right, it's German... in that case, yes you are quite right :-P

[McVenco]

Boot_WB wrote:
I passed my driving test today!

Well done! Now where's the pie to celebrate?

Advice please?

Depending on what you're willing to spend I'd suggest some kind of Ford, Fiesta or Focus are nice cars.
VW tends to be a bit expensive on the second hand market (at least over here in Holland), but that's mainly because they're usually pretty well built.

And if you don't mind driving a cheap Korean copy-car, try a Daewoo Nexia. I currently own one and it's just an Opel Kadett/Vauxhall Astra, only with a different badge (and slightly better looks). They're cheap as hell but they're pretty decent cars.