my first car

[flyer]

My first car was a Mini City, obviously. But a word to the wise if you want to follow the same route. Make sure you go round both left and right hand corners during the test drive. After I'd handed over the cash for mine I realised on the way home that we hadn't been round right hand corners because when you did the rear wheel rubbed against the wheel arch. Trailing arm bush or something iirc.

 

[RadcliffeRick]

My first car was a HB viva. Went through a gearbox every 6 months. Good fun though, my first taste of freedom.

 

[big phil]

I'm with a couple of others on here, Seat Ibiza for me. Basically a polo but cheaper to buy, run and insure. For your budget you will be looking at a 09 to 61 plate car with low miles. Make sure it has a full dealer history. Don't rule out the 1.2 its a nice sweet engine, the 1.2 diesel is tax exempt but a bit pedestrian. My old folks had one as a 2nd car, a 1.4 petrol, and it was completely indestructible.
My first car was a 1977 mini 1000. Every weekend I had to get the spanners out. Still wake up in a cold sweat now!

 

[Bigg Bigg Blue]

Cars are like women, start off with a cheap old banger until you have had a few bangs and then get rid and then get a newer model.

 

[bgblue]

Ford escort 1.6GL Yreg in green. Loved that car, bought it for 150 and when I traded it in 2 years later got 100 for it :)
Similar to this

 

[yerwot?]

avoid anything without a full service history if you are spending £6k, also a warranty is a must.
Anything with a dual mass flywheel is best avoided, repairs can be £800/900, same with a cam-belt replacement ( unless it fails, which means a new engine)
Rust is not a big issue anymore, but other things are, some cars have headlights that can cost a grand to replace (BMWs hid type) , Renaults can have faulty dashboards, Audi spares are v.expensive, VWs to a lesser extent. Kia are selling very well at the mo, the seven year warranty and the £99 deposit and monthly payment being a great incentive.
For complete peace of mind there is only one car; no insurance worries, no servicing costs, no rip-offs at the garage, no grief over mots, no fall-off-a-cliff depreciation, and that's a company car.

 

[Ancient Citizen]

avoid anything without a full service history if you are spending £6k, also a warranty is a must.
Anything with a dual mass flywheel is best avoided, repairs can be £800/900, same with a cam-belt replacement ( unless it fails, which means a new engine)
Rust is not a big issue anymore, but other things are, some cars have headlights that can cost a grand to replace (BMWs hid type) , Renaults can have faulty dashboards, Audi spares are v.expensive, VWs to a lesser extent. Kia are selling very well at the mo, the seven year warranty and the £99 deposit and monthly payment being a great incentive.
For complete peace of mind there is only one car; no insurance worries, no servicing costs, no rip-offs at the garage, no grief over mots, no fall-off-a-cliff depreciation, and that's a company car.

Very true. I made sure I got a job with one years ago, and it means you have permanent worry free transport and can spend all your cash on drink, drugs, women and similar essentials.
My very first car was a Triumph Herald, given to me by my uncle. Spent more time shoving it than driving it.

 

[DiscoSteve]

You are ignoring the Tax bill that comes with that worry free motoring though...

 

[Ancient Citizen]

You are ignoring the Tax bill that comes with that worry free motoring though...

True, things have changed since I had free motoring. Company cars then were not taxed, plus you could drive anywhere with free petrol and servicing. Nowadays, I believe the tax charged on company cars negates any benefit, so many just buy their own with an allowance from the company.

 

[crazyg]

Ford Anglia given to me by my uncle's father in law, who'd had it from new. Gave it to my sister in law to learn in, and the day we took it to the scrap yard when it died, so did the original owner that night!

If you're not bothered about the make, a Skoda Fabia would be a good deal. A lot cheaper than a VW, but interchangeable parts and engineering.