Looking for my first car - found it!

[Parm]

Oddly enough, I've never owned my own car. I've been driving for a few years now but there have always been cars at home, be it my brothers or my dads etc, so I've never needed to buy one.

Now though, my situation is changing and I'm in need of a car - I'm looking to spend less than 10k if possible. Ideally, I want something not too big so I'm thinking 3 door. I hate spending money on petrol so it needs to be something reasonably efficient to run. I'm not gonna be hitting any race tracks, but then, I don't want it to be a snail either.

On top of that, I really want sat-nav built in, I'm used to having it and it really comes in handy. I don't want to buy a new car, and seeing as I want to spend less than 10k, that's most new cars out the window. So, I'm after something not brand new, but only a year or so old, with very low mileage.

Anyhow, I had narrowed it down to three options; Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Honda Civic. The Civic seems to be the most pricey of the three, so I'm not looking at the Focus or Astra.

Thoughts, advice, opinions, suggestions, warnings, rants...lets here it all please.

[dave87]

Hate to sound like Fox, but if you search carefully you could get yourself a nice BM. The 3 series holds its value well, but if you are prepared to spend some time searching I'm sure a 320 would come in at around 10k. Only downside is you are highly unlikely to get inbuilt satnav for that price.

It wouldn't be a year or so old, but would be with reasonable mileage (this is a 2k over budget, but shows what depreciation can do for you). I'd say I'd have a 3 series anyday of the week over something like an Astra. As I said, with a little time spent searching, you should be able to find a nice low mileage example.

Otherwise, if insurance is not an issue, how about something like a Focus 1.9TDCi? Quicker than the 2l car I believe (certainly faster than the 1.8) and the best handling in its class.

[Howard]

A BMW is all well and good if he's willing to pay the increased running costs...

I'd also say he doesn't want a diesel unless he's doing mega miles. They cost more than the equivalent car to buy and they have tractor engines

However, 10 grand on something like an Astra or a Focus is also a little OTT, so if it was my 10 grand then it would be something more special.

[dave87]

Fair point Howard - though they aren't massively higher if you are sensible. Using a decent independent dealer/workshop would save a few quid too, and no longer affects the warranty.

Diesel was from a performance point of view, I think it was Butuz that was complaining that his 1.8 Focus was easily overtaken by a TDCi...

[Howard]

Fair point Howard - though they aren't massively higher if you are sensible. Using a decent independent dealer/workshop would save a few quid too, and no longer affects the warranty.

Diesel was from a performance point of view, I think it was Butuz that was complaining that his 1.8 Focus was easily overtaken by a TDCi...

Yes but they're totally different, you can't compare them. They feel faster because of the non-linear power curve too

[streetster]

Rx8?

[Parm]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps, there are some good prices on old(er) BMWs out there, but as Howard says, it's the running costs that put me off.

As for diesel vs petrol, I was thinking about going for diesel initially in the hope that it'd be cheaper to run. But, from what I've read, diesel only works out to be advantageous if you do a lot of mileage, I would probably be doing under 10k a year.

As for the performance aspect, I'd like something fairly quick but I do tend to have my sensible hat on when I'm driving, I'm never in a hurry to pull away from lights as though my rear bumper is on fire. Wouldn't bother me if I'm being overtaken, I just don't want a car that feels as though it'd be quicker if you got out and pushed.

Howard, you have got me thinking though. Perhaps 10k is too much for a Focus or Astra. Hmmm, or maybe I should be looking for a cheaper Focus or Astra, saving a few thou wouldn't do any harm.

Streetster, I don't think I'm "hip" enough to drive an RX8!

[Howard]

As for diesel vs petrol, I was thinking about going for diesel initially in the hope that it'd be cheaper to run. But, from what I've read, diesel only works out to be advantageous if you do a lot of mileage, I would probably be doing under 10k a year.

Then you definitely do not need a diesel. Save that for when you're doing 20k+.

As for the performance aspect, I'd like something fairly quick but I do tend to have my sensible hat on when I'm driving, I'm never in a hurry to pull away from lights as though my rear bumper is on fire. Wouldn't bother me if I'm being overtaken, I just don't want a car that feels as though it'd be quicker if you got out and pushed.

Howard, you have got me thinking though. Perhaps 10k is too much for a Focus or Astra. Hmmm, or maybe I should be looking for a cheaper Focus or Astra, saving a few thou wouldn't do any harm.

I take much the same attitude. I don't race around like a lunatic but it's definitely nice to have a bit of grunt when you need it, for an overtaking maneuvure or a quick blast down an empty B road for example

Previous shape Focus with a decent engine
Alternatively what I'd probably go for, which is a well-specced Civic

For example. See if you can find some cars like these you like and have a look around to see if any take your fancy.

A BMW 330i/Ci might just be do-able within your budget but as I said , the running costs will be higher.

[Vimeous]

I suggest 0-60 in 10secs or so but a TD so there's the mid-range puch for overtaking as previously mentioned.
Sat-nav built in?

I have a suggestion.

A nearly-new Kia Cee'd 1.6TD.
The base S model should be available for £10.5k without satnav and you get a mamouth 7 year warranty.
Nearly-new and you might even get the satnav for your budget.

[Parm]

Howard, I'm not too keen on the older models, they just look a bit...well, hate to say the obvious but they look old!

Does nobody else think the 'new' Focus looks really nice?


Likewise, I think the new Astra looks really nice too, little hint of sportyness to it:


Then there's the new Civic, this one looks like something from Back to the Future, which I kinda like. But, maybe it's a little too "out-there":


Vauxhall also do a 0% finance deal on new Astras, that's quite tempting but I want to resist buying new.

Vimeous, I didn't even know about the Kia Cee'd, looks interesting!

*EDIT* The size of the images doesn't represent a personal preference on the cars, I just happened to find them that way!

[Howard]

New Civic, how could I forget. I love it. And you ought to be able to find a well specced model for <&#163;10k

[Stringent]

Don't like the MK2 Focus. Much prefer the 3dr MK 1

[dave87]

How about the old shape Civic TypeR? Should be quite a few around for the circa &#163;10k mark....lovely cars. If you don't want the TypeR there is the TypeS aswell, which may suit.

[Howard]

How about the old shape Civic TypeR? Should be quite a few around for the circa £10k mark....lovely cars. If you don't want the TypeR there is the TypeS aswell, which may suit.

His driving style doesn't suite the way the TypeR needs to be driven. Type S is a good suggestion though

[dave87]

That was partially the reason I suggested the 320i beforehand, as it is a much more refined driving experience. You don't have to rag the TypeR, it is just more fun

[Salazaar]

Rx8?

Lovely car but I heard they go through petrol (and oil) at an enormous rate (bloody rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbishel engine ).