I'm really an advocate for the Fiesta
Yesterday I took an off ramp at 100 km/h, normally 70-80 is scary. I skidded a bit, but it was perfectly balanced, under control and don't forget I have El-Cheapo tires.
It's ideal as a first car, it doesn't go super fast, but well enough to go smoothly through traffic and it's legendary for its handling.

And parts.. Second handed, these cars are everywhere, it ain't hard to find second handed spare parts. (except if it's a 5 door model and you bust the rear door... ) Although, for about 150 euros I could get that fixed, but I don't feel too bothered about it.

Quote from beefyman666 :

Stay clear of anything with a Fiat badge.

Why is that? I know they have a bad rep for unreliabality, but we have had a couple in our family before and there ok motors.

My brother had a marea estate which he used to move engines, gearboxes etc. about all the time, in the end, he racked up 75,000k miles from when he got it, and apart from wear and tear parts like brake pads, clutch, tyres etc, the only major thing he had to have done was a new cambelt and exhaust but considering the car has done over 125k miles, it has'nt done to bad imo! He then sold it to his mate 6 months ago, and its still going strong!

After he sold it, he then purchased a 96 punto 75 which he used for a runabout to work (about 75 miles there and back). He done this for a year, and again, the car never missed a beat and never had to have done anything major to it.

And finally, my other brother has a punto GT Turbo which has done 55k miles, and has had nothing major go wrong although this one is'nt very fair as it has been tuned alot engine wise so its basically like a new engine under there, so im contradicting myself on this one

my brother picked up a touring 325i a year or two back, for £500...the engine was making more than it came out of the factory with and still after like...10 years. It made 172bhp, they say they make only 170bhp

Nothing was wrong with it now its a 500bph beast on a turbo running 0.8 bar, new pistons, suspension, etc.

Quote from harjun :

my brother picked up a touring 325i a year or two back, for £500...the engine was making more than it came out of the factory with and still after like...10 years. It made 172bhp, they say they make only 170bhp

Nothing was wrong with it now its a 500bph beast on a turbo running 0.8 bar, new pistons, suspension, etc.

Oh noez! Did he Overclock it? How about the Thermalpaste?

Quote from harjun :

my brother picked up a touring 325i a year or two back, for £500...the engine was making more than it came out of the factory with and still after like...10 years. It made 172bhp, they say they make only 170bhp

Nothing was wrong with it now its a 500bph beast on a turbo running 0.8 bar, new pistons, suspension, etc.

Im sorry if i may start a flame war here guys, and if any mod see's this and is not happy, then feel free to delete this post.

I just want to say though harjun, why is it that whenever you go into post's like this, you always have to feel the need to brag? I mean, we all like to brag every now and then, but you do it in every post. First of all, Jack is asking for a good first car. If you are suggesting a 325i, then it shows how silly you are as the insurance will cost a bomb, even shaun suggested better cars. Secondly, why do you feel the need to give us unessacary specs about the car? If someone asked, then fair enough, tell them, but you start to tell us things like it has 500hp (apparently) and all this crap, when i doubt anyone here gives a sh5t.

In future harjun, just try posting in threads that may actually HELP the OP, or maybe stop bragging?

Just please, LISTEN!

Noooooooo...!

Why o' why did you recommend a CRX?

When i was looking for a bike i saw the DNA and fell in love (heck i think it looks the fecking smex but meh) and while it wasn't the best choice i love it it to bits.

I've now seen this CRX del Sol...


*drool*

160+ HP...!

1993 model in black on eBay in good condition for £1,250...!

Of course, theres gotta be something wrong with a CRX. Disuade me! PLEASE!

Harjun, a BMW 325 Estate is too big, too much to run and FAR too much to insure. No thanks.

Would kill for Looney's 316 though!

A small percentage of Fiats breaking down give the company a bad rep. But not many marques can claim that over 80% of their cars are a hoot to drive. Fiat make great little cars (from a drivers point of view), and their little engines (<1.6l) were the stuff of legend.

This was, of course, before everyone decided they needed 1004932hp in their hatchback to get to the supermarket, and small, revvy little engines weren't as popular.

The new Punto is a pretty car. And you catch me saying that about many hatchbacks!


Toyota Seras will get you noticed - Gullwing doors! Only a 1.5. Insurance might be a problem for a young driver as it's an import. http://www.toyotasera.co.uk

A CRX is a nice car... My brother-in-law wrapped one around a tree, no fun!

And the fuel economy sucks, it's got no room at all, but I have to admit, going 220 km/h (restricted) on the highway is awesome, or 160 with the roof off...

I miss that car

But yea, you need a beginners car... My brother-in-law knows how to drive and had a few years of experience and he wrapped it around a tree... Not a good car for beginners.

Dunno if it's been suggested but how about the 318 e30 1.8? you can find them around €500-€1200 here in holland.

meh, crx is ugly.

My ideal first car would be an MX-5.

Here's one after a quick search on ebay - 1994 1.8 for a grand.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-MAZ ... ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Insurance is group 13, which is a bit on the steep side.

Quote from J@tko :

My ideal first car would be an MX-5.

Here's one after a quick search on ebay - 1994 1.8 for a grand.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-MAZ ... ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Insurance is group 13, which is a bit on the steep side.

rather a 200sx than a Mx-5, but meh the 200sx is too old.

INSURANCE GROUP 13?!

That will NOT be good to insure!

CRX is £4k a year to insure, thak god. Time to come back down to earth with cars then...

Quote from Jakg :

Would kill for Looney's 316 though!

As your a 'friend' I'll let it go to you for a grand.

IIRC, mine is insurance group 10.

Mine is really cheap(ish) to insure as I practically live in the safest place in the whole world. An EX-- postcode is considered the safest by insurers.

I will probably sound like a broken record, with all the rest saying the same, but your car choice is Fiesta/Corsa/306/206, most small-ish cars really. If you know where to look, then you can always buy decent cars at a really low price.

The whole "Proton Vs. Sell up for a better car" is a no brainer in my opinion. Sell the Proton for sure. It will depreciate a lot quicker than most cars on the market and, lets face it, its a Proton.

Get an Escort! Can pick up a nice 1997 model with around 70k miles on the clock for around £600

Also zetec engines will last forever if well maintained. The main problem with Escorts is rust

Quote from R34GTR :

The main problem with Escorts is...

...They are made by Ford

I personally, would steer clear of Fords.

If he did go for a Ford, I would suggest a Mark 4 or 5 Fiesta.

Edit:

On the subject of Fiesta's...

"R" Reg Ford Fiesta Ghia 1.4 - £800
"P" Reg Ford Fiesta Chicane 1.4 - £900 - Been owned by a chav a little rough around the edges, but perfect for a first car.

Quote from Takumi_lfs :

rather a 200sx than a Mx-5, but meh the 200sx is too old.

how is a S15 200sx toooo old? even an s14 or something wouldn't be classed as "old"

200SX is really in my price range, isn't it :doh:

So, it's between the Corsa and the Fiesta now...

Quote from Jakg :

200SX is really in my price range, isn't it :doh:

So, it's between the Corsa and the Fiesta now...

i just was correcting the guy....

I liked jatko's suggestion of an MX5...quite a nice sporty car too...but you wont get much in the boot

See my edit Jack. But to be honest, I would go for the Corsa, unless you can find a top spec, small engined Fiesta.

If you do down the Corsa route, I would go for the Corsa "C" as the easrly Corsa's have been molested by tw@'s. I dont know how much your Ped is worth, or how much you can earn till you pass, but a small engined Corsa C is available from £1250-£1500.

Example

Quote from harjun :

how is a S15 200sx toooo old? even an s14 or something wouldn't be classed as "old"

You imbecil dork, Did I mention S15?

http://www.200sx.se/japmeet/img/bil3.jpg

Quote from harjun :

I liked jatko's suggestion of an MX5...quite a nice sporty car too...but you wont get much in the boot

Thank you for completely failing at this topic. I dont need a sporty car, i want something i can actually afford to insure. An MX5 is NOT that.

Quote from harjun :

i just was correcting the guy....

I liked jatko's suggestion of an MX5...quite a nice sporty car too...but you wont get much in the boot

Just shut up.

Here is the CHEAPEST MX5 I can find. To insure it would be way out of his price range. Its rough. It needs a new roof. It needs an MOT. Its for hairdressers. Tristan owns one. - Enough reasons?

Jack, see my above post.

Edit:

You can still get the newest shape Fiesta for around the £1000-£1500 mark...

Example - OK, its sold. But they are a few more around the same price that are not sold, they just had rather no pictures, or crap pictures.

Quote from The General Lee :

Just shut up.

no....everyone has their right to express their opinions

Wrong. Everyone has the right to express their correct opinions.

Quote from harjun :

no....everyone has their right to express their opinions

Sure, but what you said had nothing to do with the subject.

Oh, and stop bragging please.