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[claws]

This might be a bit too off-topic, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

So I'm looking to buy my first car. I know nothing so I'm definitely going to take someone more knowledgeable along, but does anyone have any general advice? I'm looking at spending very little (ideally less than a grand), and preferably something that won't cost an absolute fortune to insure. Talking of insurance costs, part of me is wondering if there's any point even getting fully comp., given the price bracket i'm operating in - zero no claims bonus, etc. I'm not aiming to do heavy mileage/long motorway trips/go fast, and I'm willing to regard this first one as a bit of a learning experience.

Any suggestions/etc? I've done my google homework but any comments gratefully accepted

[Junta]

I went 3rd party fire and theft on my first car. The car simply wasn't worth the comprehensive cover premiums I'd rack up over time. Also the fact that the car depreciates heavily means you'd get paid the square root of f*ck all if you did have to claim.

I'm not great on the "hardware", but I have some tips for insurance:

Please avoid Elephant.co.uk. My wife had an accident as a named driver in my car and I have *never* seen a bunch of incompetent and unhelpful people in my life. Everything was hard work and I had to do all the chasing. Roughly 5 or 6 months from accident to payout (and I had to haggle on the price too). Elephant also cancel your insurance policy on the spot once the car is a write off (i.e. you can't drive another car). Watch carefully in the terms and conditions for how and when your policy can be cancelled by the insurer. I did at least have protected no-claims for which they gave me proof in writing (but I had to ask for that myself). Elephant also do everything via e-mail - and they are a subsidiary of Admiral (beware those terms and conditions).

Beware that some insurers (Direct Line) don't haggle on price when a claim is made. My brother in law bought a car for £x, had it for one month and someone hit him. They paid what they said was market price (my silly brother in law paid too much for his car). Basically Direct Line paid what the car was worth on the market (Parker's guide or something like that) - not what my Brother in law paid and declared when he bought the car. This isn't necessarily evil practice, but don't be fooled into thinking that you get what you paid for the car just because you have an accident near to when you bought the car!

"Budget" car insurance can't seem to record details correctly (and have a strict policy on voiding your insurance if your policy is inaccurate). They kept recording my car details incorrectly.

*EDIT* You need THIS for Nottingham

[Mr Chug]

Aston Martin DB7 should be perfect.

[Junta]

Aston Martin DB7 should be perfect.

And in keeping with his status and salary

PENIS SUBSTITUTE

[Hzza]

That Claws is a spah?

[DeadlyAvenger]

For a grand you're not going to get anything amazing to be honest...

For insurance costs - small-ish hatchbacks with small engines are pretty much the best you can go for. And as for comprehensive insurance - i'd say go for it if you were buying a new car, or a car for >£2,000, but anything other than that I wouldn't bother.

Beware that some insurers (Direct Line) don't haggle on price when a claim is made. My brother in law bought a car for £x, had it for one month and someone hit him. They paid what they said was market price (my silly brother in law paid too much for his car). Basically Direct Line paid what the car was worth on the market (Parker's guide or something like that) - not what my Brother in law paid and declared when he bought the car. This isn't necessarily evil practice, but don't be fooled into thinking that you get what you paid for the car just because you have an accident near to when you bought the car!

I know this only too well...bought car on a thursday for £900, had an accident in it on the following tuesday which wrote it off - insurers were only willing to pay out £650 on it, despite my ranting down the phone at them - I joked to the bloke and said "Well of course it's not worth £900 now - it's been written off, but he wasn't having any of it". I'd only driven it 50 miles or so!

I have bought cars from all low-price brackets (£150, £300, £700, £900 and £1250) and my most recent one is a 1998 Peugeot 106 for £1250 - ok, it's 11 years old but it had only done 50,000 miles and has lasted me a couple of years now).

If you're looking to get something to last you more than short term - it's better to spend about £2,000... what you get for that money is a LOT more than what you'll get for £1,000 and really opens your options up.

[t3rribl3on3]

Aston Martin DB7 should be perfect.

V12 Vantage is more ideal for a 1st car owner i think.

failing that a Caterham R500 should do the trick

[PapaFade]

Look for a VW Golf or Polo. The Polo 1.4 was excellent combo of price/performance. U can get 8 yr old cars for less than 1k.
Generally speaking -
The newer the better.
The lower the mileage the better.
Try and find one with decent service history and some receipts for recent work done.
If u find something u like the look of, check the net for information on it, particularly common problems.
It's a buyers market. Push the price down, don't be afraid to walk away.
If ur buying from a garage and they won't budge on price, add extras (full 12 months Mot and road tax, full service, new tyres all round etc).

[claws]

Thanks all for the advice so far. I don't really want to spend £2000 at this point, but that's worth knowing for next time around. If I got something nice I'd just ruin it, and I'm really not expecting much for the money I can spend. I believe Caterham would refuse to deliver their beautiful car to the English equivalent of Afghanistan, what with all the rock-throwings/shootings/stabbings, although it's a lovely thought.

Edit:Thanks Papa, that's really helpful.
and yes i am a spah

[Gonk]

As Deadly says, you will be looking at older, small engine hatches mostly and I wouldn't bother with fully comp to start with. The good thing about that is, there's plenty of scrap parts available and you can do bits and bobs yourself.

[Gonk]

Also - good call on the polo Dave, well worth a look claws

[PapaFade]

Thanks Gonk. I drove a brand spanking new one as a hire car about 8/9 yrs ago. A 1.4 and drove it from Hereford to Bedford and back for the weekend and Rippy would agree it was a tidy car. Nippy but safe.

[Junta]

Thanks Gonk. I drove a brand spanking new one as a hire car about 8/9 yrs ago. A 1.4 and drove it from Hereford to Bedford and back for the weekend and Rippy would agree it was a tidy car. Nippy but safe.

Had one - nice car. However, we were unlucky with the timing belt shredding 3 weeks in (brand new car too). I look on that as an anomaly.

After that, Polo - was great and reliable until front break sensors went (electronic warning via dash). Not even the dealer could stop the warning light.

Beware that Polo and Skoda have a replacement notice on the timing belt after a set mileage:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=368

Beware of this when buying a VW / Skoda near the time limit. Some have chains instead of belts.

I currently have an ECS warning light going randomly on and off in my Skoda - dealers can't do anything and I've had shed loads of different work done to "cure" the problem.

The Skoda Fabia is essentially a poor man's Polo (same engine and common bodywork). Can be had cheaper than a Polo too.

[t3rribl3on3]

id agree on the polo thing.

my mate has got one and when he 1st got it he was worried about driving it form leeds to manchester, since then its been a machine its taken us to fort william, and all over the country and never had a single issue. great reliable run around.

[Magathery]

That polo was mint. Good safty record to. The only advice I can give is a bit old wives tales, but here goes.

Never buy the first car you see

Never look at a car if its been raining, as you won't look at the body work that closly. And the water will disguse any scratches.

If you get there and engine is running, walk away. If the cold start is that bad then its had it.

If the log book is missing, walk away.

If your buying privatly, and you find the seller already waiting outside for you, ask to use their toilet. If its realy their house they will let you. If its a con expect an excuse.

Above all, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Good luck