1995 Suzuki Baleno

[ctid]

I'm looking at a first car, and have been offered a Suzuki Baleno for £550. It's in good condition, and seems like a nice car. It's got a few creature comforts like power steering, electric windows and mirrors. Cheapest insurance I've found so far is £989 third party, fire and theft. Not too bad considering the 1.6l engine.

Anyone have any experience with these cars?

[Howard]

I would say you can't go wrong with that

Suzuki stuff is built to last, so you won't have any problems with it.

Cool name, too You can name it Belinda

[ctid]

Hehe. I really think I'll go for it, as the nearest quote I can get is £930 on a 1.3l Fiesta. I think I'd rather pay the extra £59 on insurance for a much better car.

Now to persuade my mum that a 1.6l isn't too powerful for a first car .

Plus, it was MOTd last month, and is taxed until August. It's actually my friends car, so I know its been looked after. The only problem with it is that the steering wheel isn't aligned properly. When you are driving straight, the wheel is at a 45 degree angle to the right. Would this be easy/cheap to fix, or could it be part of a bigger problem?

[behappier]

Would this be easy/cheap to fix, or could it be part of a bigger problem?

You could have the tracking adjusted for £20 and they can realign the wheel at the same time.

[ctid]

Cheers. My mate said it wasnt major, he just hadnt had time to get it done. Just making sure

[joshwa]

Saloon or Estate?

Parkers.co.uk values a hatchback "1.6 GS Special 3d 1997/P, 90,000 miles" at :
Private Good £570,
Private Poor £410

so it may be worth knocking the price down a bit?

have you tried confused.com for insurance quotes?

[ctid]

It's a hatchback. Confused gives me a cheapest quote of £1400. Liverpool Victoria are the company who quoted £989

[Howard]

Saloon or Estate?

Parkers.co.uk values a hatchback "1.6 GS Special 3d 1997/P, 90,000 miles" at :
Private Good £570,
Private Poor £410

so it may be worth knocking the price down a bit?

have you tried confused.com for insurance quotes?

That's an average, it depends on condition and mileage.

[schmunk]

I learnt to drive in one of those - I remember it being very dull. But then that was 10 years ago.

A decent amount of car for £500, though.

[Howard]

Most "first cars" are dull

[Konan555]

Hence why I never drove mine much!

[menthel]

My dad had one for yonks. I thought it was awful, even the Lada's he had were better. But he liked it and it just kept on going. He even bought a Liana to replace it!

[Mad-Max]

My brother had a Fiat 126 bis and that was a IG 1 and that still cost him a bit

[kalniel]

Most "first cars" are dull

MKII Golf GTI

hmm..

[dangel]

MKII Golf GTI

hmm..

Not dull in that case, but certainly damp

[kalniel]

Not dull in that case, but certainly damp

You need rain for that. San Diego didn't have much (was also the only way I could possibly afford insurance - over there it's considered one of the cheapest cars to insure, as it 'only' has a 1.8l engine.. )