Who thinks that this could be a good first car?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Elstro
  • 13 comments
  • 741 views
Elstro

Elstro

Messages
571
England
Cambridge, UK
Messages
tdyln
Now, with my 17th coming up at the end of 2005, i have been thinkign for a while about what to get for a first car, and my heart is set on a Rover 400, from 1989-1995, particularly the Honda CRX-powered 416 model.

On Top gear, the Stig punted a shagged-out J-reg 416 GTi around the track in 1: 42:00, and i reckon these could be quicker with good tyres and suspension.

However, these 416s are pretty steep to insure, and i don't want a 414 (1.4 litre 105 bhp model) because of the poissiblity of Head Gasket failure.

My other choice (although one in gud nick will be a bit tricky 2 find) is a Triumph Acclaim (a 70s Honda Ballade made in britain from '81-'84) as these have high-revvign Honda units too, but are cheaper to insure as they are 1300cc.

I know these cars are a very granddady (good as msot old people looka fter their cars, so the chance of finding a low-mileage one is quite good), but what do others think? Am I making wise choices here,a s i don't want a French car because of their flimsiness, and i hate Vauxhall Corsas.
 
You want a Rover as a first car? :lol::lol::lol::lol:

I wouldn't go for the Triumph either. A car that age will require work, low mileage or not. And check it hasn't sat in a garage for too long either.

I know these cars are a very granddady (good as msot old people looka fter their cars, so the chance of finding a low-mileage one is quite good)
Click to expand...
Old people also tend to kill cars. Especialy as they're are more likely to use them on extremely short journeys that will screw the engine over.

a s i don't want a French car because of their flimsiness, and i hate Vauxhall Corsas.
Click to expand...
Puntos? Fiestas? Micras? Ka?
 
Nah, don't want a Ford.

Wouldn't mind a Punto or something Japanese though, provided i could find a Punto that isnt falling to bits (Italian cars always do)

Only want a Rover because i wanted something a bit different, and they are the best cars for thrashing modded Novas with as they are basically Honda CRXs, excpet they have Grandad-mobile bodyshells.
 
Kia Rio?

They're 27% more pleasant than a Hyundai:)
 
Out of the three cars I'd go for the 416 GTi. But if it's too expensive to run go for the Rover.

The Triumph will cost you to keep it one piece. :)

The Punto is a nice car. My Auntie owned a previous generation, sky blue, 3dr one, 1.2-litre. I wouldn't mind it as my first car.
 
Go the Perodua Nippa!

In seriousness you could look at a Citroen, maybe a ZX? I know you said that you don't want something French but these are nice little cars. Or maybe a VW polo or Golf.
 
decemberfenix
Just go for a CR-X
Click to expand...

Group 16 insurance.

Takumi Fujiwara
Get a 200SX! How could you go wrong with a close relative of the Silvia?
Click to expand...

Group 18 insurance.

No insurance company will insure a 17 year old on ANYTHING over group 12. Hell, I got funny looks from "the UK's fastest growing insurance company ever" because I wanted to insure a group 14 car at the age of 27, with 7 years' no claims bonus.

Even so, a Triumph Acclaim? Are you MAD?

hiccup.jpg


On the upside, you'd get instant membership to C3...


Get over your Ford prejudice. Ford Fiestas offer the most car for the least money and most easily insured. Your age isn't the only factor in insurance - the value of the car, likely cost of repairs, availability of parts, desirability to car theives and a million other factors all come into it. Fiestas are ubiquitous and you can find parts for them just lying around in fields.

Get an N-reg Fiesta Classic - the last models before the drugged-stroke-victim shape. 1.3i engine is 63hp. The car weighs 975kg. You can get a 40,000 mile, clean example for less than £1,500 and, if you shop about (try More Th<n) you can get insurance on a fully comprehensive basis for about £900 at your age.

Anyone, anywhere can service them - not just Ford garages (in case your family have had a bad Ford dealership experience in the past). You can even pick up a Haynes manual and do it yourself (apart from the immobiliser - speaking of which MAKE SURE YOU GET A TOTALLY RED KEY. It's the immobiliser master key and can cost £250 to replace. And it's vital if the immobiliser packs in).


Fiestas whip everything else of that age in their class. And besides, you don't want to get too attached to your first car. Odds are you'll crash it anyway and it's only a stepping stone to build up NCD and get a better car.
 
Famine
And besides, you don't want to get too attached to your first car. Odds are you'll crash it anyway and it's only a stepping stone to build up NCD and get a better car.
Click to expand...

How very true...I weep for my long lost 93 Accord LX.. :ouch:
 
Elstro
I know these cars are a very granddady (good as msot old people looka fter their cars, so the chance of finding a low-mileage one is quite good), but what do others think? Am I making wise choices here,a s i don't want a French car because of their flimsiness, and i hate Vauxhall Corsas.
Click to expand...

As others have said just because old people have had them isn't neccesarily good. One thing you do have to consider about old people is there are many out there that are too stubborn to pay anything for maintaining their cars. As a mate of mine found out when for some reason he bought a 1989 Volvo 440 (Ignoring my advice that the early ones are crap) that despite only having done 55,000 miles, it was falling to bits. For example the rear numberplate lights were held on with blue tack & for some reason the engine fan wasn't plugged in... (Let alone how rusty it was).

I once considered a Rover 216 (I think) & after seeing some comments about them I'm damn glad I never bought one. (Not that I think I would have anyway).

Triumph Acclaim :lol:, I once went in one of those & have a Corgi? model of one where you can push the wing mirrors & the car steers :D Despite the amusement value of owning one I wouldn't advise getting one as a first car.


Famine
Get over your Ford prejudice. Ford Fiestas offer the most car for the least money and most easily insured. Your age isn't the only factor in insurance - the value of the car, likely cost of repairs, availability of parts, desirability to car theives and a million other factors all come into it. Fiestas are ubiquitous and you can find parts for them just lying around in fields.

Get an N-reg Fiesta Classic - the last models before the drugged-stroke-victim shape. 1.3i engine is 63hp. The car weighs 975kg. You can get a 40,000 mile, clean example for less than £1,500 and, if you shop about (try More Th<n) you can get insurance on a fully comprehensive basis for about £900 at your age.

Fiestas whip everything else of that age in their class. And besides, you don't want to get too attached to your first car. Odds are you'll crash it anyway and it's only a stepping stone to build up NCD and get a better car.
Click to expand...

Ford Fiestas are a good buy, they are cheap, generally reliable but a boring choice. I disagree though about your choice of Fiesta, the "drugged-stroke-victim shape" (:lol: ) is a much better car than the old one, alot more refined & the 1.25 16v Zetec engine is pretty good, certainly better than the 1.3 engine (pfff 63hp, my '93 1.2i Ibiza gets 70hp :D). I've also seen examples such as a 1997 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec with 56,000 miles for £900.
 
Truimph Acclaim?

Eggads... why not a MG Metro? :)

Kidding aside, my adise is always the same on these matters; get a small & cheap car, that is cheap to run.
Don't forget, this will be the car you'll learn to drive in (no, getting a license doen's mean you can drive, the lesson is just beginning. ;)
Keep the car for a year or 2 and if you are cofident enough, get the car you want.

However you deciede though, best of luck :)

p.s. I used to own a Triumph Spitfire, I love Triumphs... but an acclaim? nah it's nice enough as a cmmodity (SP?) but you'll need to know your ways around cars and preferably be a Triumph Club Member, for spares and advise.
 
Rovers are fine for a 67 year old. Just because a car hasn't been driven out of 3rd gear, and been polished every Sunday without fail doesn't mean its been maintained correctly. Like others have stated, a Fiesta is an ideal first buy, as is a Punto. Have you considered a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow? - you could get a nice example for about £9k - if leather* and walnut* are your thing.

*both plastic in the Rover
 

Latest Posts

Back