Advice needed - which car (UK)?

[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.

[Boot_WB]

Well, after a bit of juggling the finances, and checking insurance quotes on various makes/models, I went with TVR Chimera.


Only joking, I went with (although adapted) Moto's suggestion and bought a Skoda Felicia - year 2000 (basically a VW Polo). £5 change out of £900 - I could have probably done better, but I need to get on the road, and whatever I buy, as it's my first car, it's going to be a learning experience.

@Bloodline
After just coming out of a 4-year relationship, the only thing I want the car to help me "pick up" is the shopping tbh (hey it's kinky, but each to their own!).
If it makes you feel better I can just go and burn down a few acres of virgin rainforest - should have the same effect as running the Chimera for a few months  :-P

Electrics are minimal (manual EVERYTHING), has a full service history, and has just had its MOT.
Went to the public library in Sheffield yesterday and scanned half the Haynes manual :lol: - will pick one up via Ebay for the rest. After a good check through the basics (fluids, tyre tread, drive belt, general condition under the hood) everything seems OK. It's a bit of a change from the Toyota Yaris (power steering, electric windows, air con, etc) that I learned to drive in, but it's got a reputation as being reliable, cheap parts, and (relatively) low fuel consumption. Only trouble is it is a petrol engine (1.3 litre), but if it proves reliable over the next couple of months, I may shop around for a quote for LPG conversion - with my current job it would earn its money back in 8-12 months, so if the car lasts that long it would be worth it.

I need to do a more in-depth check over, ie checking the brake shoes, etc but as it has just come out of its MOT I think that can wait until next weekend.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

[JaXanim]

Two important things to consider are the increasing costs of fuel and the new UK Road Tax Rates wich will come into play soon.

The bottom is starting to fall out of the diesel car market, especially the large and medium sizes. They are becoming virtually unsaleble. Bargains will be easy to find.

Many people are now using waste cooking oil to fuel their diesels and some are making biodiesel now the excise duty limit has been raised. You can now make up to 2,500 litres of biodiesel entirely duty free. Converting rapeseed oil, etc. into biodiesel is a simple, but potentially hazardous hobby, but thousands are doing it. It easly halves the current fuel costs. It's important to have an older type diesel engine to run on cooking oil without damaging it. Plenty of info on the Internet and many discussion forums.

Info on the new Road Tax rates can be found HERE

JaX

[bloodline]

Boot_WB wrote:
Well, after a bit of juggling the finances, and checking insurance quotes on various makes/models, I went with TVR Chimera.

 
Thanks for all the advice guys!

Well you know, I'm just glad I was able to help! It's nice to think that my advice was of some use to you!