Car for £1000 - ish

[Dieselman]

<KOF>

LOL...
I was going to suggest it but thought John might ban me from the GTG....

 

[glojo]

I think some folks are perhaps missing my very tactful point. I fully accept we can get into a Ka, but when we get out of it folks tend to notice how tall we are. To me and no doubt the rest of us that is not an issue, but some people are very conscious of there size. I have NO opinion either way but the vehicle has to be liked.

My son's first car was an Escort and since then he has moved onto a 1.8 Golf GTi, I would like to steer my daughter towards a Golf especially after reading the recommendations posted here.

I am a great believer in learning in something 'biggish' solely to give the driver confidence in driving any type of vehicle, so my personal choice would be a 190 oe C-class, but I'm an old fuddy duddy that doesn't understand. I just wonder how many drivers lack the confidence to drive a 'big car' simply because they learnt on a small vehicle? I FULLY ACCEPT these thoughts do NOT apply to everyone.

Thanks again and NOT in any order of preference it looks like Golf
Polo
Fiesta
Escort

Don't know about the Skoda type range and I take note about what has been said but I will have to confer with number one daughter.

Regards
John

 

[Dieselman]

Don't know about the Skoda type range and I take note about what has been said but I will have to confer with number one daughter.

You won't get one for the budget, they hold their value well after an initial hit...especially VRs.

Now there is a car she would like...

As you say the driver in question has to like the car otherwise it won't feel like her choice.

 

[GrahamC230K]

i definately would NOT recommend a fiesta or KA under £1000... it will ending up costing more to keep on the road. They are fine when new, but not at that sort of age..

That's a shame you know the older cars to not be so reliable.

I loved the 1.25 Zetec engined Fiesta, a very zippy car and nicely styled inside and out.

 

[scumbag]

especially VRs.

Now there is a car she would like...

.

<KOF SPLUTTER>


Can you imagine one of these on johns Drive? It would have to have a private plate on it or people would think it a bit cheap.

Can you imagine a Skoda Fab with a private Plate?

Now that would be a shock.

 

[Dieselman]

It would have to have a private plate on it or people would think it a bit cheap.

They wouldn't get close enough to read the badge...

 

[GrahamC230K]

i definately would NOT recommend a fiesta or KA under £1000... it will ending up costing more to keep on the road. They are fine when new, but not at that sort of age..

That's a shame you know the older cars to not be so reliable.

I loved the 1.25 Zetec engined Fiesta, a very zippy car and nicely styled inside and out.

Thanks again and NOT in any order of preference it looks like Golf
Polo
Fiesta
Escort

I think if they WERE in order of preferance, hoping the Escort is a last resort never reached it looks like a good line up.


PS. learning is a Rover Metro then getting insured on your Dad's Ford Granada sorts out being scared of driving larger cars!

PPS. SOOOOO untrendy and of course potentially some head gasket issues but I imagine you could get a lovelly Rover far newer/lower mileage/netter equipped than any of those cars. For ~£1K and a first car, it's probably only going to b a very limited ownership period anyway.

 

[Dieselman]

I think if they WERE in order of preferance, hoping the Escort is a last resort never reached it looks like a good line up.

I'd tend to agree here.

PS. learning is a Rover Metro then getting insured on your Dad's Ford Granada sorts out being scared of driving larger cars!

One of those 'Boys to Men' moments was it.

I had that with my first XM on the night I got it threading through cars parked both sides...

 

[jaymanek]

That's a shame you know the older cars to not be so reliable.

I loved the 1.25 Zetec engined Fiesta, a very zippy car and nicely styled inside and out.
.

Sorry but great when they are out of the showroom, but at a few years old you just KNOW anything with a ford badge is not gonna go through an MOT!

 

[scumbag]

I am going to stick with my Vitara as a suggestion. My reasoning is simple. She is reasonably tall and will find it easy to get in and out of without bashing her bonce on the door frame etc, and they have the high up driving position that is, IMHO, way better when a novice. Its better when you are experinced too, but experince allows you to have a good idea whats in front where you can't see so its less of an importance. Cheap to run, cheap to insure, and they do seem to last well.

I also stand by my remarks regarding Ford Fiesta. The overwhelming responses to that type of car is always based on Driving feel. The last thing a new driver wants is a car that actually goes. Be honest, Go take a look down your local street and its a fair bet that the faster drivers will be CHAVED up corsa's punto's etc and a smattering of the latest feista's. Why, they are cheap thats why!

People buy them as they drive well. That reads as sporty. And as the comments prove, it hides the fact that the rest of the car is rubbish.

Golfs etc are not any more expensive to fix in this range of prices, but they are a bit more costly so you end up with an older one. and thats market forces. The better the car, the more it costs.

Do you really want an old Ford spilling oil on your drive?


I have had an experince with Ford that I wish never to repeat involving brake failure.

These opinions are mine. I am justifying my opinions, not knocking those who share a different opinion.

I also had to take a hire car (focus) back to the hire place 2 weeks ago. I hated it, horrible horrible car.

 

[Dieselman]

Sorry but great when they are out of the showroom, but at a few years old you just KNOW anything with a ford badge is not gonna go through an MOT!

Fair comment that one. Ford tend to build their cars for a short life so you are constantly chasing worn out parts.

As an example the old 1.8 Endura diesel engine was built for a 100K life whereas the Peugeot TUD range was built for a 300k life.

iirc the KA gets the old 1.1 pushrod engine. If one sees 80k it will be a day for celebration.

 

[scumbag]

iirc the KA gets the old 1.1 pushrod engine. If one sees 80k it will be a day for celebration.

Ka's are 1.3's

 

[glojo]

What about a Honda?

My daughter quite likes this shape. Note the price (I'm a soft touch)

Regards
John

 

[scumbag]

Here is a none biased review of the KA which may point out a few things of interest.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=247

 

[Dieselman]

What about a Honda?

My daughter quite likes this

She would definately need to try a Honda for size, they are designed on 3/4 scale.

Nice car though and should be reliable.

 

[Dieselman]

Here is a none biased review of the KA which may point out a few things of interest.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=247

Gives a glowing report.

Just checked the one for W210 E-class and apparently they don't rust..

 

[scumbag]

My daughter quite likes this shape

Classic. This is the reason we should all buy cars! Shape alone.

I remember, years ago, when the Renault 5 were all guilty, sorry, when the Renault 5 Turbo was about, I was in dealer attempting to squeeze a test drive out of the man, when a girl came in and said, and I joke not,

"I want a black one and it must have a turbo thingy on it!"

The guy then asked what Type of car she wanted in black, and offered to look and see if they had a bag of turbo's hanging about.

Terrible salesmanship, and I didnt buy one, but she made me laugh with her idea of buying a car.


I would suggest you draw up a list of cars found around the price you are prepared to pay, then draw up a list of issues you need to look at, Size, insurance, service costs, does she need or want 4/5 doors or will 2/3 doors do. Colour, petrol or tractor fuel. Then you need to go and look at various cars on the list to see which ones have the required items.

No point saying a Polo of too small unless you have sat in one. No point sayings it big enough again, unless you have sat in one. No point even looking if she is not interested.

She wont be after a sporty car will she? She just wants a bit on independance, and create some of her own no claims bonus, and doesnt want to have to spend money on fixing cars every 5 minutes.

So cheap to buy, cheap to own, cheap to fix and reliable. Nice to look at.

The holy Grail of motoring is basically what she is after. I am sure you will find it with a bit of effort. £1000 is a lot on money to spend on a bag of rusting bolts and worn out rubber, just because it has a nice shape!!

Legwork needed.

 

[ADY1983]

Nice definatly reliable, might be a bit expensive on insurance though being a "Coupe"...

 

[scumbag]

Gives a glowing report.

My i suggest this a glowing review

skip

 

[glojo]

I am going to stick with my Vitara as a suggestion.

I'm definitely not ignoring your suggestion but don't forget I have been out of circulation for too long, is this vehicle a Suzuki?

I take onboard what Dieselman has said about the honda and will make sure she is comfortable. Luckily they tend to listen to some of my advice and we will certainly be in no type of rush to buy the first vehicle we look at, bottom line though is that she must like the external looks of the new toy.

Regards
John