Cheap, reliable first cars??

CaoimheAine

Hello all,

Not fitness or food related but Im looking to buy my first car very soon

Wondering what type of car you had for your first one/your children's? or any good suggestions??

xx

UnpredictablyPretty21

Hey Chick,

Ford Fiesta is a great little car
great on fuel economy and can get into those little parks xo

What have you been looking at beautiful

darkon

Hi CaoimheAine, as Gustaaf said we need to know some more infos to give you the best advice

Hellbent_Heidi

My first car was a big gas guzzling V8 Buick, but that was many years ago.

Are you thinking of buying new or used? Depends where you live for sure (and how you define 'cheap')

f1ght3r08062014

I have a 99 Chrysler cirrus and it is great! I wouldn't go for any gas gusslin car at first when you're not sure- I made the same mistake with my ford explorer and I couldn't keep up with it only because I didn't realize just how much everything would be

Macgeek74

Any hondas, toyotas, nissans, 90s bmws 5 series, subarus, mazdas, lexus, acuras, infinity, late model hundai, late model fords, late model chevys, Stay away from late model european automobiles unless you get an extended warranty

consumer reports and many other guides are great for this. KBB is also a price guide but it is just a guide and doesnt write any checks. If you have cash then auctions are the way to go cause if you buy from a dealer, well, that car prolly came from one.

dpwellman

Rule of thumb is look for cars model years 2006-2010. Check articles to find how generations are clustered, eg there's little difference between a 2005 Subaru Outback and a 2009 (Gen 3).

1) Toyota Corolla (aka Geo/Chevrolet Prism-- probably most reliable car ever made next to the 4Runner).
2) Hyundai Elantra (hard to find used, great on gas as the most fuel efficient non-hybrid.)
3) Honda Civic (these cost a bit more, and there's a reason. Honda is master at balancing fuel efficiency and power. And they handle well, too)

A Subaru Impreza is an interesting choice, as well, but also difficult to find and prices are all over the place. Can be extremely reliable. And easy to work on.

Generally avoid used diesels and turbos unless you have intricate and precise repair and maintenance history. Do not even consider a used hybrid / electric.

dpwellman

And, what Macgeek said about european and domestic nameplates. Just don't bother. And auctions is where most dealers sell "trade-ins", where most used cars go through at one time or another. . .
1) if buying from a dealer, always agree on a price first, before any trades or credit checks
2) keep in mind they are there to sell you a car, rather than you are there to buy a car. Chances are you'll never see each other again anyway.

bellaamor30

Bump, want to come back n read.

Not looking for a first car but need a cheap one as I don't want to repair the one I have or invest in anything new at the moment.

Chadomaniac

VW CITY GOLF

eric_sg61

Honda

CaoimheAine

Thanks so much for all the replies everyone!!!

rachaelgifford

I have a 2001 Ford Fiesta LX, 1.25 zetec. 5 door. Brilliant little car. Nippy, economical, spacious inside for the baby seats if I take the nieces out, but small enough to park easily. No problems with her yet :-)

darrensurrey

In my experience, don't buy Mercedes, BMW, Nissan, Toyota, VW, Peugeot, Fiat, Vauxhall or Renault. Which leaves Honda. And Skoda. If I had to place a bet, I'd back Honda, though.

HealthyVitamins

my first car was a Ford Ka, it was so cute and very reliable

OllyReeves

Wow people really make this complicated!!

Buy the newest car with the lowest mileage you can afford with your budget!!

The reality is, if you are in the UK at least, your choice will be largely dictated by the cost of insurance.

Someone previously said something about avoiding used turbos and used diesels, personally I don't think you have to worry.

If you do lots of short journeys, it's not a great idea to have a diesel, as the particulate filter goes wrong, and if you're buying a cheap first car, I suggest it's unlikely to be a turbo anything anyway!

Just buy something that you like the look of, and when you go to look at cars, take someone that knows what they're looking at, and what questions to ask and don't spend too much, or insurance will cripple you!

In my opinion.

sijomial

Son's first car:
FIAT Grande Punto - nice to drive but wouldn't recommend it, badly made and unreliable (FIAT = Fix It Again Tomorrow). Economical on fuel if not on repairs, parts prices are very expensive.

Daughter's first car:
Chevrolet Matiz - surprisingly OK to drive, not brilliant trim quality but reliable. Absolute doddle to park as it's so small. Economical on fuel and cheap to buy secondhand.

grrrlface

My first car was a 2001 citreon Saxo, it was ideal for town driving but it wasn't in great condition. It was a fun little car though.

My boyfriend's first car was a 2001 Nissan micra, got it for £300, it was a heap! We didn't think it would last a month, its lasted forever!

We're now looking at Mazda or Audi for a replacement for both haha

tigersword

Suggestions really depend on what part of the world you live in.

CaoimheAine

Sydney, Australia

Suggestions really depend on what part of the world you live in.

RllyGudTweetr

Matchbox cars are pretty cheap.