buying a new car help please?

[tammynjames07]

Hey guys
I'm looking for another car. I'm looking to spend up to 1000 pounds, it has to have a fairly small engine (up to 1.6) and ideally be able to fit a tow-bar to for a small trailer. I want something like an astra but would consider something else? I want something that is quite cheap to run and insure as I'm 22 and only have one year no claims bonus.
any suggestions/ reviews would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance James

 

[bigbird76]

Hi James

cant beat a VW golf to be honest mk2 or 3 but not sure about insurance, Im sure you could pick one up for £1000

Goodluck

Leigh

 

[tammynjames07]

thanks, will bear it in mind any other suggestions?

James

 

[gavuk]

Run the insurance quotes first ....and whatever you buy leave £100,preferably £200 for repairs ,cambelt,minor repairs...don't max out your budget on the purchase...if you want to tow,make sure its power steered or at least light steering ,my mk1 golf isn't makes it harder work

 

[tigler]

First, get a turbo diesel. My suggestions would be Citroen ZX TD or Peugeot 306 D Turbo. Even though they are larger than 1.6 I think the insurance group is very low.
They are very economical to run, very reliable and quite nippy.

 

[gavuk]

My daughter had a 306 d turbo,not a bad little car, she maintains her 1.2 -16v corsa,seems as economical,...Pug was a better car than the 1.2l 8v corsa (m reg) she had before,for towing the pug would be a good choice if insurance is ok ,it is a 1.9L?

 

[Stereophoney]

First car you want something small boring and cheap, 106 diesel, fiesta, corsa that type of thing, cheap to run and insure which is the killer for most young drivers, build your no claims and hey presto

My first car was a 1984 Vauxhall Nova 1.2 in china blue with a beige interior, awful but did what i needed it to

 

[chunkolini]

Citroens?
Dont now much about cars, but isn't everything them hydraulic and if it starts to play up you are knackered. I have seen a mate buy a tidy looking one and end up in a right state with it.

Chunko'.

 

[madkayaker]

cheap as possible insurance will be a killer. Don't forget your limited what you can tow but with a small car that not likely to be much of an issues

 

[tigler]

Citroens?
Dont now much about cars, but isn't everything them hydraulic and if it starts to play up you are knackered. I have seen a mate buy a tidy looking one and end up in a right state with it.

Chunko'.

ZX is basically a Peugeot 306 with a Citroen shell, so no hydraulics. The later hydraulic Cits are fine, I have a Xantia, great car for what they can be bought for !

 

[tammynjames07]

thanks for all the comments guys, I currently have an 89 renault 5 it has done its job for one year but I want something a bit newer and bit bigger lol. will definatly consider a 306td. keep the comments comming guys!
I have a couple of weeks to find a car before the insurance is due.
Thanks in advance
James

 

[gavuk]

Are you gonna have a sunstrip with "TAMMY 4 jAMES" on it ?......if so it might change which cars we suggest

 

[tammynjames07]

lol no,
I won't modify the newer car other than a decent stereo lol.
I think its quite hard trying to find a new car, I have a couple of mates who buy and sell cars and I don't really like the small ones ie fiesta's corsa's
keep the comments coming lol

 

[gavuk]

Ok i won't mention capri's then .......Tracey looks better on the sunstrip anyway .....while you are building ncb, those small "first time buyer cars are ideal because they retain their value better than 1.4-1.6l apart from diesels....Polo and Golf (already mentioned) pugs saxo.i'm not a fan of rover but the mgs 1400cc if you don't mind getting the headgasket done are nice little cars cheap for bits too.....My daily is a mk1 golf cabriolet gti so 1800cc the clipper is a good buy 1.5 or 1.6 no power steering tho.....judge by insurance ,then reliability,then resale value ....and avoid ford Ka's

 

[tammynjames07]

lol i know about ka's they are horrible, common rust spots are filler cap, lower windscreen and sills. I wouldn't mind a diesel, but I wouldn't buy a diesel astra unless it had the Isuzu engine, ive heard a lot about the vauxhall diesel pumps going and 5-6oo pound to fix.
James

 

[hotrodder]

Run the insurance quotes first ....

This^^.
Because of the way insurance companies calculate risk a low insurance group for the car itself doesn't necessarily mean much when you're a young bloke (aka testosterone fuelled idiot) i.e. they'll sometimes bend you over further for a sensible choice simply because their books are full of cases of small sensible cars being crashed by young blokes

 

[gavuk]

Run the insurance quotes with your girlfriend "tracey" if she's passed her test as it could lower your premiums ,also get quotes for 3rd party fire and theft and fully comp,can be as little as £15-20 difference

 

[tammynjames07]

my partner "tammy" does not drive, I will have to look into a few different cars as already mentioned, and get some quotes. I will get back to you all and let you know how I get on.

 

[gavuk]

Try Mum or another girl ....it can make a difference.....best of luck James,

 

[Hitch]

Id expect Golf and Saxos, both will be expensive on the insurance.
The 306/zx diesel is economical, but with the extra tax (unless you go newer than Y(?)) and extra cost of diesel, your probably just as well off with a 1.4 306, unless you do a fair few miles.
Watch anything with letters on the end anything more than L, like GTi,XSi....seems to be a reason to increase premiums....


Dont just get quotes from your current insurer, get a few others too. Second year of driving, you will still be spending a fair whack on insurance regardless.