Advice - Ideal first car? - Page 2

avanti · May 14th, 2009, 7:47 PM

you don't know what you are missing, it will give you more fun for your money than any of the other cars mentioned yet!

Posmo · May 14th, 2009, 7:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Michael

You can hardly notice you've just bought a RWD Sierra. You have handled it so well and been very low profile about the whole thing.

Honestly, there is no better way to learn the basics of car control than with a rear wheel drive car and a gravel road. That's just my opinion.

Oh yeah, and I've been trying to keep low profile, glad you noticed images/smilies/smile.gif

WirelessMonkey · May 14th, 2009, 7:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posmo

Honestly, there is no better way to learn the basics of car control than with a rear wheel drive car and a gravel road. That's just my opinion.

Oh yeah, and I've been trying to keep low profile, glad you noticed images/smilies/smile.gif

I am sure driving a RWD car on a loose service will make you a better driver. Unfortunately insurance companies don't want such a car to be in my reach images/smilies/sad.gif

Brother Michael · May 14th, 2009, 7:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WirelessMonkey

I am sure driving a RWD car on a loose service will make you a better driver.

No, it won't.

WillDAQ · May 14th, 2009, 8:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WirelessMonkey

Ive looked at a Puma, way to much insurance. Its 125bhp coupe, insurance hell for a 17 year old. As, unfortunately is any Alfa images/smilies/sad.gif

this makes me very sad because my first choice would be a 156/147 1.6 TS but i cant afford the insurance. images/smilies/sad.gif

Anyway heres quotes i have:

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec - £1,126.65 - monthly cost around £100
Audi A3 1.6 - £1,513.82 Monthly cost around £140
Fiesta Zetec S - £1,380.75 - Monthly cost around £125
Alfa Romeo 147 - £1,419.30 - Monthly cost around £130
Ford Puma - £3,126.20
Mazda MX5 1.6i - £2,738.93

See what i mean about sports cars and being raped for insurance?

Yeah, pushes you down to the bottom end of the market, something like http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...00919333886676

Damn those practical insurance companies!

Posmo · May 14th, 2009, 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WirelessMonkey

I am sure driving a RWD car on a loose service will make you a better driver. Unfortunately insurance companies don't want such a car to be in my reach images/smilies/sad.gif

I think the insurance companies have caught on to the fact that rwd improves car control.

-Until you crash images/smilies/tongue.gif

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Michael

No, it won't.

I'm sorry, but driving a rear wheel drive car (or an oversteering fwd/4wd car) on a loose surface (not service.) will make you a more competent driver at the limit & in sudden manouvers..

Brother Michael · May 14th, 2009, 8:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posmo

more competent driver at the limit & in sudden manouvers..

Does not equate to good/better driver.

Aston Martin · May 14th, 2009, 8:16 PM

Volvo Amazon, classic car insurance. images/smilies/cool.gif

Twerp128 · May 14th, 2009, 8:28 PM

It amazes me how much you guys get stiffed for insurance. I have a good driving record, but I've never payed more than $1,100 a year and that's for a Porsche 944 for an 18 year old. And If I'd gotten full coverage it wouldn't have gone over $2,000/year. Right now I pay about $700 a year for base coverage on a Miata and a Jetta. $4,800 a year for a Ford Puma, it's pushing it to call the Puma a sports car!

Seriously you should go dump some tea in a harbor or something.

WirelessMonkey · May 14th, 2009, 8:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twerp128

It amazes me how much you guys get stiffed for insurance. I have a good driving record, but I've never payed more than $1,100 a year and that's for a Porsche 944 for an 18 year old. And If I'd gotten full coverage it wouldn't have gone over $2,000/year. Right now I pay about $700 a year for base coverage on a Miata and a Jetta. $4,800 a year for a Ford Puma, it's pushing it to call the Puma a sports car!

Seriously you should go dump some tea in a harbor or something.

2 questions
Were do you live, and can i live in your house when i get there?

I like the classic car insurance, but Mk1 Escorts are expensive images/smilies/sad.gif

Even though i REALLY want one. There's a guy in my town with a Escort Mexico, it's a show car and everything is in perfect condition.

sifu · May 14th, 2009, 9:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Michael

Does not equate to good/better driver.

x2

speedycatz · May 14th, 2009, 9:34 PM

Fiat Panda 100HP, used Lotus Elise or last gen Civic Type-R.

avanti · May 14th, 2009, 9:37 PM

Audi 80 Quattro...?

+ YouTube Video

Steve Levin · May 14th, 2009, 9:44 PM

I like the Volvo 240 suggestion (since I own a 244 GLT myself). However, I suspect outside the rustfree areas of California (where I literally see at least 8 or 9 a day), it might be a tough find.

I think a 1.6 Focus is an outstanding car. Great driving dynamics.

And don't fall for that rubbish about learning car control. Do NOT learn car control on the road. Unless you like a lot of stories that end with "after AA pulled it out of the ditch, it was okay except for..." Trust me; I have several of those stories from my youth (not all of which my parents are aware of images/smilies/smile.gif

). And you don't really learn anything anyway...other than how to replace bent suspension pieces and save money for wheel alignments.

That's money and time best spent going to a real high performance driving school and actually learning car control. They will teach you both the theory, as well as the practice in an environment that you can learn in without endangering yourself and others.

Steve

public · May 14th, 2009, 9:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avanti

Audi 80 Quattro...?

+ YouTube Video

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/G...-the_75149.htm

I just can't help but lol @ the guy in the video.

Nabster · May 14th, 2009, 9:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avanti

Audi 80 Quattro...?

+ YouTube Video

Sounds like a turbocharged, air powered, weed eater to me images/smilies/lol.gif

matyas · May 14th, 2009, 10:28 PM

My recommendation for a first car:
1. Insurance...insurance will cost you a fortune, more than the car's worth in the long run. Even without kasko (if you hit someone, they fix your car).
2. Safety. Make sure a car is safe for you to drive. Avoid rustbuckets, also cars which have technical issues. Unless they are really easy to mend, avoid cars which are already broken. Go for one that works.
3. Make sure the car doesn't eat much. For your first car, don't go for a 200hp beast. Go for something small engined and reliable. This will also affect your insurance.
4. Buy Front Wheel Drive. RWD is great, however it is less stable. For your first car, with a fresh license, you need to get accustomed to the road, prefferably go for a manual car. You shouldn't do powerslides on the road anyway...and you can have plenty of offroad fun in a FWD car.

An ideal first car is hence, something cheap, small engined, FWD, prefferably safe and costs less than 1 year's insurance (not in that order). After the first year, I would ditch the car...or maybe after 2 years.

WirelessMonkey · May 14th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedycatz

Fiat Panda 100HP, used Lotus Elise or last gen Civic Type-R.

Read the rest of the thread before you post images/smilies/smile.gif

matt2000 · May 14th, 2009, 10:42 PM

Go classic. Tax exemption, classic insurance and cheap parts are the new driver's best friend. images/smilies/smile.gif

For a cool £1850 (or a bit less) you could get this little gem:

http://i.ebayimg.com/16/%21%21qMOMV%21%21W0%7E$%28KGrHgoOKi8EjlLmY5yVBJ+MO%28F3Mg%7E%7E_1.JPG

Linky

It was just pulled from eBay but it looks well kept and is a tax exempt, RWD GT. Just think of the driving experience you'll have in this!

It's not dangerously fast like most modern cars so insurance should be pretty decent, and you won't get laughed at for having a chav-mobile. images/smilies/smile.gif

Edit: I just read the thread after I posted, nice to see classics are already being mentioned, I'm a MkII Escort fan myself. images/smilies/happy.gif

Crazyjeeper · May 14th, 2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nabster

Sounds like a turbocharged, air powered, weed eater to me images/smilies/lol.gif

X2

I understand the appeal of a turbo 4, but that does not sound good to me, just irritating.

May 14th, 2009, 7:47 PM	#21
avanti Joined: Jul 22nd, 2005 Last Online: 7:09 AM Location: Milano, Italia Posts: 3,222 Car: 2 cars + 4 bikes Rep Power: 110	you don't know what you are missing, it will give you more fun for your money than any of the other cars mentioned yet! __________________ \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\| Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.

May 14th, 2009, 8:16 PM	#28
Aston Martin Wirelees noob Joined: Sep 20th, 2006 Last Online: 1:03 PM Location: Hull, England Posts: 2,422 Rep Power: 33	Volvo Amazon, classic car insurance. __________________ Final Gears biggest... and possibly only Panda Fan. "The last really fast car I drove was Ferrari’s 599 GTB Fiorano. Hardly a slouch, the 599 reaches 62mph in 3.7 seconds and 124mph in 11 seconds. But drive the Ferrari 599 past a stationary Veyron at 62mph during its 11 second 124mph sprint and the Bugatti will catch up by the time the Italian reaches 124mph." "I wish it would be Gumball every day." "Anyway, you can push the Veyron into corners up to 30 percent faster than you should and the electronics will always sort you out."

May 14th, 2009, 8:28 PM	#29
Twerp128 Joined: Oct 6th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Indiana Age: 22 Posts: 2,910 Car: '83 Porsche 944, '91 Miazda Rep Power: 0	It amazes me how much you guys get stiffed for insurance. I have a good driving record, but I've never payed more than $1,100 a year and that's for a Porsche 944 for an 18 year old. And If I'd gotten full coverage it wouldn't have gone over $2,000/year. Right now I pay about $700 a year for base coverage on a Miata and a Jetta. $4,800 a year for a Ford Puma, it's pushing it to call the Puma a sports car! Seriously you should go dump some tea in a harbor or something. __________________ I like Top Gear. But I'm not a Top Gear snob.

May 14th, 2009, 9:44 PM	#34
Steve Levin Master of Disaster Joined: Jun 7th, 2006 Last Online: 10:51 AM Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 1,193 Car: Spec Racer Ford! Rep Power: 56	I like the Volvo 240 suggestion (since I own a 244 GLT myself). However, I suspect outside the rustfree areas of California (where I literally see at least 8 or 9 a day), it might be a tough find. I think a 1.6 Focus is an outstanding car. Great driving dynamics. And don't fall for that rubbish about learning car control. Do NOT learn car control on the road. Unless you like a lot of stories that end with "after AA pulled it out of the ditch, it was okay except for..." Trust me; I have several of those stories from my youth (not all of which my parents are aware of ). And you don't really learn anything anyway...other than how to replace bent suspension pieces and save money for wheel alignments. That's money and time best spent going to a real high performance driving school and actually learning car control. They will teach you both the theory, as well as the practice in an environment that you can learn in without endangering yourself and others. Steve Last edited by Steve Levin; May 14th, 2009 at 9:46 PM.

May 14th, 2009, 10:42 PM	#39
matt2000 Hedgehog Sandwich Joined: Feb 17th, 2006 Last Online: 10:01 AM Location: Meerkat Harborough, UK Age: 19 Posts: 6,033 Car: 1977 lol sprung Land Rover LFS Status: Rep Power: 124	Go classic. Tax exemption, classic insurance and cheap parts are the new driver's best friend. For a cool £1850 (or a bit less) you could get this little gem: Linky It was just pulled from eBay but it looks well kept and is a tax exempt, RWD GT. Just think of the driving experience you'll have in this! It's not dangerously fast like most modern cars so insurance should be pretty decent, and you won't get laughed at for having a chav-mobile. Edit: I just read the thread after I posted, nice to see classics are already being mentioned, I'm a MkII Escort fan myself. __________________ "So, you're saying that Mr Blobby ram-raided your house, stole your sofa, and tied it to the top of his car? Awesome!" Last edited by matt2000; May 14th, 2009 at 10:43 PM.

May 14th, 2009, 9:34 PM	#32
speedycatz Joined: Oct 7th, 2008 Last Online: January 3rd, 2010 Location: Sendai, Japan Posts: 83 Car: Porsche Cayman S Rep Power: 6	Fiat Panda 100HP, used Lotus Elise or last gen Civic Type-R.

May 14th, 2009, 10:28 PM	#37
matyas Joined: Dec 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 11:18 AM Location: Espoo, Finland Age: 22 Posts: 269 Car: 1984 Mercedes 280SE - sold Rep Power: 20	My recommendation for a first car: 1. Insurance...insurance will cost you a fortune, more than the car's worth in the long run. Even without kasko (if you hit someone, they fix your car). 2. Safety. Make sure a car is safe for you to drive. Avoid rustbuckets, also cars which have technical issues. Unless they are really easy to mend, avoid cars which are already broken. Go for one that works. 3. Make sure the car doesn't eat much. For your first car, don't go for a 200hp beast. Go for something small engined and reliable. This will also affect your insurance. 4. Buy Front Wheel Drive. RWD is great, however it is less stable. For your first car, with a fresh license, you need to get accustomed to the road, prefferably go for a manual car. You shouldn't do powerslides on the road anyway...and you can have plenty of offroad fun in a FWD car. An ideal first car is hence, something cheap, small engined, FWD, prefferably safe and costs less than 1 year's insurance (not in that order). After the first year, I would ditch the car...or maybe after 2 years.

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