Any suggestions on 1st Cars???

[rovens]

Ok heres a sensible idea, get a brand new Vauxhall Corsa 1.2club, want to know why?

There special deal at the moment includes insurance if you are over 21 then a single payment of £399 buys you 3 yrs of insurance (saving you about £3000) or if you are between 18-20 then a payment of £399 will buy you one years insurance (still saving you at least £600 for the year).

Heres a link with a bit more reading.

Click me

 

[daan]

There special deal at the moment includes insurance if you are over 21 then a single payment of £399 buys you 3 yrs of insurance (saving you about £3000) or if you are between 18-20 then a payment of £399 will buy you one years insurance (still saving you at least £600 for the year).

He says he's just coming up to be legally aloud (sic) to drive. So he'll be 17 soon.

 

[AD27]

Wow didn't realise i'll get that much reponse. And yes i am from england, in the country (so lots of quiet roads). To give you some back ground knowledge i've been driving since i was 12, cars like: porsche boxster S, BMW Z4M, Mini cooper S WORKS stuff like that and i've been racing Karts since i was 10 so i know how to drive pretty well not just in Karts. Passing the practical side of the driving test will be breeze (i hope) so i dont need something safe and easy to drive (man try doing hill starts in the Z4 M, Bastard of a clutch)

I'm soon realising that a real wheel drive car with a low insurance group which is also new, is pretty much out of the question. One idea though which i've driven is the Smart Roadster/Coupe. Turbo charged 3 cylinder engine and its pretty quick for what it is. 1.6 Bar non tuned and with short ratio gears not to bad for accleration although top speed is limited to 120 but who cares. So yer what do u think of a Smart Roadster/Coupe. there price is coming down now, cheaper than the panda and is pretty safe. Mum and dad want me to get something safe so that unfortunaltely that elminates the rear wheel drive Toyota's ect.

Anyway Smart?

 

[JCE]

I like the Smart, I think it would be a great first car. And if you can afford the insurance I'd say go for it. The Panda is also a good little car. I wouldn't mind having either car as my first car. Hell I'd drive a Smart right now if they were cheap enough over here.

 

[=V8 Power=]

I bet you go into uncontrollable spasms and black out whenever you come within 50 feet of an old VW Beetle, what with its 20+ second 0-60 and all.

yep pretty much

 

[AD27]

Reading again through what everyones written an MX-5 would be great! although here in britain insurance companies take you for fools. I knew someone with the Mk1 MX-5 and guess how much the insurance was for that? The same price as the car!!! unbelievable!! England is just such a crappy country for things like this and i haven't even got started on the fuel prices.

My dads used to race cars and he drives pretty quick still now and currently the family car does 12mpg. OK in the US that might be common but here in england where its nearly a £1 per litre and the cars got a 95 litre tank, you can imagine how painful it is filling up. You americans have it easy not just on the fuel but on the insurance. The only positive we have here in england is the roads are actually fun for driving on, and i dont mean a turn here and there but flowing corners with camber changes and everything. I'm sure all Evo and Imprezza owners here know what i'm on about.

But yes i live in England and its CRAP and by the way a pick up? ok its rear wheel drive but i'll give you the downsides:
1) Here in the Uk, American pick ups are more like BMW and Mercs (expensive)
2) when have you known a pick up to be kind on the old MPG?
3) and last but not least, i apricate the suggestions but a US pick up weighs as much as england its self, not to mention trying to park the thing. lets just say our car park spaces are probably a third of the size of yours in the US.

But yes thanks for the suggestions, i just felt i needed to join the complaints about England.

 

[JCE]

Complain about a country that is its whole is better than America? Want to trade? I would love to live in England right now. Especially being a car enthusiast, anywhere in Europe is better than America. More choices, cheaper pre-owned, and you are on the same continent as Germany. I'd trade gas prices and insurance for cheaper pre-owned cars and more choices.

Each country has its downsides--but America's are worse I think in terms of the auto enthusiast. But, maybe the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I still want to move to England (or Germany), or hell just about any western European country (minus France).

 

[Dave A]

In terms of being a car enthusiast, the cars we get are great, the cost of it all isn't.

 

[YSSMAN]

The only positive we have here in england is the roads are actually fun for driving on, and i dont mean a turn here and there but flowing corners with camber changes and everything.

There are roads that aren't straight in America, you just have to head out to the country to find them. I know a few good ones out around my area that are good on a summer drive. But considering that much of the country is made of farmland, you can't expect too much now...

But yes i live in England and its CRAP and by the way a pick up? ok its rear wheel drive but i'll give you the downsides:
1) Here in the Uk, American pick ups are more like BMW and Mercs (expensive)
2) when have you known a pick up to be kind on the old MPG?
3) and last but not least, i apricate the suggestions but a US pick up weighs as much as england its self, not to mention trying to park the thing. lets just say our car park spaces are probably a third of the size of yours in the US.

To answer question two, there are some "efficent" trucks out there. The current Chevrolet Colorado gets decently good fuel economy, about 23-27 British MPG combined depending on your selection of the I4 or the I5. However most Americans are going to look for the "Big Boy" trucks like the Silverado, and that will normally get you about 19-20 British MPG combined.

...If you're worried about the size, what about the Toyota Hilux/Tacoma? The Ford Ranger?

I know, trucks aren't that much fun to drive, and they are pretty rare in the UK as you guys have that whole "van" thing going on. Hey, why not a Transit Van? I mean for God's sake, it can do the ring in just over 10 minutes...

 

[JCE]

lol on the Ford Transit. I bet the insurance group that is in would be too high. But, I'm guessing. l4s might know. But how "nippy" is a Transit? I don't even want to know.

How about a used BMW Mini One AD27? Minis are always a brilliant choice. Just besure to get British Racing Green with white "go-faster" stripes.

Or a much better choice, one of these:

I'd kill for one of those just like that. British Racing Green with the white stripes...and I'd add the Union Jack on the roof.

 

[emaNresU]

Have a goosey gander.

 

[Danoff]

Wow didn't realise i'll get that much reponse. And yes i am from england, in the country (so lots of quiet roads). To give you some back ground knowledge i've been driving since i was 12, cars like: porsche boxster S, BMW Z4M, Mini cooper S WORKS stuff like that and i've been racing Karts since i was 10 so i know how to drive pretty well not just in Karts. Passing the practical side of the driving test will be breeze (i hope) so i dont need something safe and easy to drive (man try doing hill starts in the Z4 M, Bastard of a clutch)

A lack of ability to drive, or to drive fast, or to drive accurately, or to maintain control of the car is not the reason young drivers get into accidents.

They get into accidents because they get used to driving and haven't learned how to not get bored with it. They get complacent. They get cocky. The biggest mistake young drivers make is to assume that if you're technically talented at driving, you'll never wreck. Wrecks happen when you're not paying attention, not when you are. And I'd bet you've never been bored while driving.

I'd still recommend a beater.

 

[=V8 Power=]

However most Americans are going to look for the "Big Boy" trucks like the Silverado, and that will normally get you about 19-20 British MPG combined.

If only that were true, 16mpg is more the truth with 4x4 and a 5.3L V8

Each country has its downsides--but America's are worse I think in terms of the auto enthusiast. But, maybe the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I still want to move to England (or Germany), or hell just about any western European country (minus France).

See I think America is great. We have cheap gas, cheap insurance, lots of V8 muscle cars, and very loose laws.

 

[niky]

Ditto on Danoff: experience in karting and on track does help quite a lot, but however good you may be, technically, you're still likely to mess up on the road.

Young males are stronger and faster than most other demographic groups. They can think and react faster, too. Good eyesight, hearing, "feel", etcetera... they make great drivers, technically... but then, they get into more accidents than most.

Trust us, we were young once, too.

Get a front-wheeler. Get a cheap front-wheeler sedan if that helps bring down your insurance. Heck, if you want to do track-work, anything will do, if properly modified. After a year or two, as long as you can keep your record clean, your choices will start opening up.

 

[rovens]

He says he's just coming up to be legally aloud (sic) to drive. So he'll be 17 soon.

Goddamit, my eyes read but the brain doesn't register.

 

[A7X]

i read somewhere that it takes roughly 2 years of driving for an inexperienced driver to gain the ability's of an experienced driver. After the 2 years they say you're roughly on the same level even if you've been driving for say 40 odd years more than someone else. I live in the uk and have been driving for about a year and a half and i've had close call. I've found it's not so much you're ability to drive and control the car but more about the ability to see and read the road/judge what is going to happen, which you can obnly gain by driving on the road and gaining that experience.

Oh and i drive a 1.2 1996 renault clio which is a bit of a beater, but i still have an immense amount of fun driving. As for a RWD i know it's a bit old but a ford sierra?

 

[AD27]

I'm gathering its experience that counts when driving on the roads. oh well i guess i'll have to sneak out at night, nick mum or dads car and away i goo lol

I like the idea of the mini JCE3000GT. Mum has the works conversion one and has loads of characater. Great little car. I was thinking of getting put on her insurance buts its group 20 so i think the insurance company would have a feild day on that one. but yer mini one def although you'll be suprised to hear that compared to the Panda which is insurance group 3 and faster the mini one is group 11!!! i guess its image status.

hhmm ford transit. well its RWD i'll give u that but i cant get over the thought of a screaming NA desil but then again if i won the lottery i could always but a big fat Chevy V8 (like the 7.3 litre out of the ZO6:idea: )in the back and fit a bigger supercharger

Changing the subject slightly, if you had £60,000 ( $85,000 i think not sure on the conversion) for a 1st car or any car what would u get? hhmm now isn't that a nice thought.

 

[YSSMAN]

(like the 7.3 litre out of the ZO6:idea: )in the back and fit a bigger supercharger

Its actually a 7.0L (427 cubic inch) V8. No big deal...

Changing the subject slightly, if you had £60,000 ( $85,000 i think not sure on the conversion) for a 1st car or any car what would u get? hhmm now isn't that a nice thought.

My '96 VW Jetta (my second car, I think they called it the Vento in Europe back then) would be a lot of fun with an HPA conversion done on it. Considering that they have already stuck the Twin-Turbo 3.2L VR6 with the Haldex AWD system in an MKIII-based Cabrio, it shouldn't be too hard in an MKIII sedan. A flying brick? You bet. Zero to 60 MPH should take 4-ish seconds, and top-speed would probably go north of 170 MPH. It would be fun, scary as hell, and a total sleeper.

If only that were true, 16mpg is more the truth with 4x4 and a 5.3L V8

I calculated the figures in British MPG, so that would come out to about 16 MPG in the US. Thats what we average with out "older" 2005 GMT800 Avalanche that does without the cylinder-deactivation and such. Not bad for a full-size truck, but certainly things could be better with the 6-speed automatic, etc.

 

[stumpydino]

mini ftw its all good knowing how to drive, but you need to learn to pass the test then you can learn how to drive, its not all about flooring it and being able to go round corners
i got an old rover 214, i would recommend one, drives okay, the k series is a trusty plant too better than any chav would challenge you with parts are easy to find too, if you could afford, my first years insurance cost £1600 x_x

 

[Mrs. Famine]

When an MX-5 goes over, somebody inside is going to die.

I know i'm probably going to end up dead for daring to challenge Famine but the MX-5 is one of the safest cars you can drive and you're as likely to die from a rollover as you are in any well built tin top.

I do agree with the 'don't get an MX-5 as your first car' mentality though. Purely because all new teenage drivers have a crash within the first three years of passing their test (I know this has already been mentioned but I feel the need to repeat it and males usually make more of a mess than females), insurance will be horrendous and you need to start low and build up.
Micras, Fiestas, Corsas, 106's, Saxos etc. all a bit crap but ideal first cars.

 

[kennythebomb]

Wow I didn't realize you guys in the UK are literally raped up the ass to buy a car and maintain it. I knew gas was exorbinant over there, but the actual price of the vehicle and the insurance too? I can't IMAGINE those prices over here. My insurance is cheap, I drive a sports car and I'm 20 with a clean record.

 

[Dave A]

Changing the subject slightly, if you had £60,000 ( $85,000 i think not sure on the conversion) for a 1st car or any car what would u get? hhmm now isn't that a nice thought.

I'd have still bought something cheap, I'd have kept the remaining money for my second or third car a few years down the line. After I'd got my first crash or two out the way.

 

[daan]

When an MX-5 goes over, somebody inside is going to die.

I know i'm probably going to end up dead for daring to challenge Famine but the MX-5 is one of the safest cars you can drive and you're as likely to die from a rollover as you are in any well built tin top.

What you need are some nice, chrome roll hoops.

 

[=V8 Power=]

I don't know if this is how it works in the UK, but if its the same as ours, he doesn't need to worry about insurance. As long as the vehicle is registered and insured under his parents (which it should be) then it won't matter what the make of model of the car is. The "insurance" for him will go with whatever the highest car in the household is, which in most cases is going to be one of the parent's cars.

 

[rovens]

Yeah but even insuring him as a named driver on his parents insurance will still be expensive for anything other than a cheap car. As an example insuring me on my mothers 1.2 (i think) 54bhp Skodia Fabia will still double her insurance, and any incident i have she has to pay the excess and will lose her no claims.

So yes insuring him as a named driver is cheaper but with a faster car its still going to be expensive.

 

[daan]

I don't know if this is how it works in the UK,

Obviously. You've proven that already.

As long as the vehicle is registered and insured under his parents (which it should be) then it won't matter what the make of model of the car is. The "insurance" for him will go with whatever the highest car in the household is, which in most cases is going to be one of the parent's cars.

That would be insurance fraud. The person who insures the car, must be the main driver. If the parent insures it, the parent must drive it more.

 

[rovens]

That would be insurance fraud. The person who insures the car, must be the main driver. If the parent insures it, the parent must drive it more.

I know it is, i was actually going to put that at the end but didn't bother. It happen quite a lot in the UK though, im not saying its right as its illegal, im just saying it happens.

Just to say when i was looking to be insured on my mothers car, i would have been driving it a lot less than her, it was so i could drive it in addition to lessons (with her present obviously).

Edit - my point was just that it would still be expensive.

Edit 2 - i thought Daan quoted my post when he didn't, i think i need to revisit the optician.

 

[=V8 Power=]

Obviously. You've proven that already.

O ya I'm sorry that the UK sucks major and that you all have to drive POS small cars while paying $9 a gallon for gas (chuckles).

That would be insurance fraud. The person who insures the car, must be the main driver. If the parent insures it, the parent must drive it more.

No, you have to add that person to your policy, but you don't have to insure them under a car. Its not like the insurance company is gonna know.

 

[Wolfe]

O ya I'm sorry that the UK sucks major and that you all have to drive POS small cars while paying $9 a gallon for gas (chuckles).

Do us all a favor and stop talking. Now. You've brought nothing but ignorance and closed-mindedness to this thread -- there's no need to be an ass, too.

No, you have to add that person to your policy, but you don't have to insure them under a car. Its not like the insurance company is gonna know.

Daan already told you. That's insurance fraud. Plus, "they'll never know" is never a valid reason to break the law.

 

[=V8 Power=]

Do us all a favor and stop talking. Now. You've brought nothing but ignorance and closed-mindedness to this thread -- there's no need to be an ass, too.


Daan already told you. That's insurance fraud. Plus, "they'll never know" is never a valid reason to break the law.

Daan started it by making that comment about how I didn't know anything about his country. Well of course I don't know anything about your crappy country. I don't wanna learn anything about it. I was saying that ahead of time, but no he had to make a remark about it.

And for the insurance thing...YOU DON'T HAVE TO OWN A CAR to be under your parent's policy. Thats what I'm saying

Also have you ever gone over the speed limit? If so then go turn yourself into the police because you believe that the government or high authority should know about everything you do.