Ideas for a quick first car that doesn't cost the world to insure?

[Robin91]

Basically I've got my test coming up on the 20th so I'm looking for a car. I want to spend around £1000, but can possibly spend more for the right car! What I want is something that's going to be quite quick and will last me a while, so thinking 1.4-1.6..

I'm looking at VTR's atm, but I think it might be hard to find a good one for the money I can afford! So I'm looking for ideas on similar cars that will be nearly as quick or even quicker, and similar on insurance. With bell I've been quoted £2200 on a VTR 1.6, so I figure I'm looking at around the £2k mark with a bit of shopping around.

Anyone got any ideas?

[Jaytee]

zetec s?

[VTEC-Saxo]

not a saxo

[Robin91]

zetec s?

As I said, I'm looking to spend around £1000.. So I think that kind of crosses that one out!

not a saxo

Eh?

[TU-Tuning]

Ive had a 1.4 furio for about 2 and a half years now mate so its lasted me. Putting a bigger lump in now but theyre great first cars and theyre very cheap now :)

[Jaytee]

[QUOTE=Robin91;3067073]As I said, I'm looking to spend around £1000.. So I think that kind of crosses that one out!



ah yeah sorry forgot about that lol. 106 xsi??

[Jazz]

I've seen a quite a few cheap VTR's going for around the 1k mark and below. I'd look at them tbh.

[Robin91]

The thing is a lot of VTR's around the 1k mark and talking about 90k miles or so! Which is obviously quite high.. Baring in mind the french build quality, would you expect a lot of problems with a VTR at that sort of mileage?

[smiith]

306 HDI, group 5 insurance, will do upto 250k+ millage on one engine, 90bhp standard, but for a £200 remap, can easily make 120+bhp

[Jaytee]

The thing is a lot of VTR's around the 1k mark and talking about 90k miles or so! Which is obviously quite high.. Baring in mind the french build quality, would you expect a lot of problems with a VTR at that sort of mileage?

mate i bought mine on 93k and its on about 107k now. Ony had to replace clutch, gearbox (was a shagged 1.1 on it when i got it) and a c.v boot joint. all good.

Oh forgot also had to replace a coilpack and a windscreen and a bonnet and i could do with a new roof tbh, but nevermind about that.

[Robin91]

mate i bought mine on 93k and its on about 107k now. Ony had to replace clutch, gearbox (was a shagged 1.1 on it when i got it) and a c.v boot joint. all good.

Oh forgot also had to replace a coilpack and a windscreen and a bonnet and i could do with a new roof tbh, but nevermind about that.

:panic:

306 HDI, group 5 insurance, will do upto 250k+ millage on one engine, 90bhp standard, but for a £200 remap, can easily make 120+bhp

Is that standard or turbo?

[PSPDan]

If the car has been looked after well enough don't always let the mileage put you off. Look for FSH :)

[Ashleyp]

link in my sig ;)

vtr for sale

[smiith]

Is that standard or turbo?

2 litre turbo diesel mate

[Robin91]

link in my sig ;)

vtr for sale

You're in bedford, there's no way I'm driving up there! If coming this way I'd consider it.

[lakey_xs]

what about a 106 s2 xs same engine as vtr but group 5 or 6 insurance

furio
vtr
106 xsi
quiksilver

[Prickle]

mate i bought mine on 93k and its on about 107k now. Ony had to replace clutch, gearbox (was a shagged 1.1 on it when i got it) and a c.v boot joint. all good.

Oh forgot also had to replace a coilpack and a windscreen and a bonnet and i could do with a new roof tbh, but nevermind about that.

:panic:

Lol. :P

little list...

Polo
olde mini cooper, love them.
ka
fiesta
corsa

[Ashleyp]

You're in bedford, there's no way I'm driving up there! If coming this way I'd consider it.

lol, fair enough

suprised you know where bedford is, nobody does!

[Slammed_Posi_Vtr]

Furio/Westcoast on decent rims definately mate, you just have to have a good shop around, ignore VTEC saxo too like we all try too.

You will have everyone thinking its a vtr and it is nearly as quick up to 60 so its perfect really.

[Slammed_Posi_Vtr]

Oh and you get a stupid amount of mpg on a furio

[CHIP]

Dont bother with wanting your first car to be quick. Just sounds like a recipe for disaster to me lol. As said, look around and you might find a mk1 VTR. 90k miles should be fine if the car has been well cared for. Other than that, Furio/Westcoast? Quicksilver? XSI? Fiesta SI (rustage)?

[Robin91]

Would a 306 HDi 2ltr Turbo be quicker than a VTR? The thing I don't like the sound of about it is that it's a diesel!

[Robin91]

Dont bother with wanting your first car to be quick. Just sounds like a recipe for disaster to me lol. As said, look around and you might find a mk1 VTR. 90k miles should be fine if the car has been well cared for. Other than that, Furio/Westcoast? Quicksilver? XSI? Fiesta SI (rustage)?

Well just want something which will be nippy and a bit faster than what my mates will have haha! ;) Don't fancy a Fiesta, not too keen on the look of 'em!

[CHIP]

Well just want something which will be nippy and a bit faster than what my mates will have haha! ;) Don't fancy a Fiesta, not too keen on the look of 'em!

That sounds even more like a recipe for disaster now lol. I suppose i was the same when i first passed though. But seriously, speed isnt everything. Go for the pimp route :y: lol. A 1.4 Furio/Westcoast is plenty nippy enough for a first car. Engine's good, handlings good and they're light. Go kart.

[bullit]

106 1.4 xsi

[Robin91]

That sounds even more like a recipe for disaster now lol. I suppose i was the same when i first passed though. But seriously, speed isnt everything. Go for the pimp route :y: lol. A 1.4 Furio/Westcoast is plenty nippy enough for a first car. Engine's good, handlings good and they're light. Go kart.

I know it sounds a bit stupid, agreed. I'm thinking go for a faster car i.e. VTR or a slower car and get a Sub/Amp etc. But I don't think the insurance will be much different on a Furio to a VTR (not from the quotes i've had so far anyway!)

[andrew0510]

Vauxhall's and ford's are reliable

You'll proberly want something spacious aswell because you sound like an old man lol

Vauxhall Astra has done me good so far, have a look at those mate.

[greeny87]

my vtr in the for sale section lol

[Robin91]

Vauxhall's and ford's are reliable

You'll proberly want something spacious aswell because you sound like an old man lol

Vauxhall Astra has done me good so far, have a look at those mate.

my vtr in the for sale section lol

How do I sound like an old man? I want a fast first car and plan to get a sound system? I'd love to see what your Grandad is like if that's your idea of an old man!

But yeah I thought about an Astra, but a VTR would be quicker and probably similar to insure + Astra's look gheyer. :p

[Robin91]

my vtr in the for sale section lol

Wolverhampton, nuff said!

[Danr]

Citroen AX Gt - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/910147.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/910/910147-1.jpg

106 Rallye - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/909763.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/909/909763-3.jpg

Corsa 1.4 sport - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/928026.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/928/928026-7.jpg

Fiat punto sporting - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/920092.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/920/920092-1.jpg

Ford puma 1.4 - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/877881.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/877/877881-1.jpg

Honda 1.4 civic - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/885941.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/885/885941-1.jpg

[Jazz]

Some good ideas there Dan /\

Didn't know Puma's had become that cheap, supposedly fantastic chassis.

[Robin91]

Citroen AX Gt - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/910147.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/910/910147-1.jpg

106 Rallye - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/909763.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/909/909763-3.jpg

Corsa 1.4 sport - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/928026.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/928/928026-7.jpg

Fiat punto sporting - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/920092.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/920/920092-1.jpg

Ford puma 1.4 - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/877881.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/877/877881-1.jpg

Honda 1.4 civic - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/885941.htm
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/885/885941-1.jpg

Wanted a Civic badly, but insurance was extremely high on them, even a 1.4. Corsa, too common imo and wouldn't be as fast. Puntos are alright, would consider one! Ford Puma i've never really looked at? Seems a bit gay to me though, or am I wrong in saying that?

[Danr]

Evo gave the 1.7 puma 5 stars. THey say the 1.4 is worth a look.

The corsa is quicker than a phase 1 vtr as well. My mate had one and it was honestly a quicker car.

[Robin91]

Evo gave the 1.7 puma 5 stars. THey say the 1.4 is worth a look.

The corsa is quicker than a phase 1 vtr as well. My mate had one and it was honestly a quicker car.

Oh nice! I think the Puma would be to expensive to buy though, for the car itself, and the 1.4's seem quite hard to find?

When you say Phase 1 do you mean MK1?

[Danr]

yeah mk1 vtr. The clio was quicker than mine and a few mates.

Just keep an eye out for the puma. They are just as quick as a fiesta zetec s but imo more subtle and better cars.

[VtsTom]

Sensible head time:

Learn to drive before you look for a "quick" car. Its all very well passing your test, but its not until you have been out on the road on your own for a good few months/years that you really start to learn. You may be an awesome driver but there are that many knobs on the roads these days that you have to watch out for.

Get a nice little banger for a year that you dont care too much about, cram your mates in, go places, have a giggle and enjoy the freedom.

I had a K reg little 106 for my first car. Paid £700 for it and i abused it to death (the scrap yard) i did 38000 miles in my first year of driving. Didn't stay in one single night. That little pug took me everywhere. Even had 8 people sleep in it on the beach one night. Every panel had a dent/scratch and it was an awful lime green colour. It was used and abused and it/i loved every single second of it. My best car ever. Fact

[muddy_trousers]

sounds like u need to get urself a swift gti!

[bullit]

i repeat 106 xsi

[Robin91]

Sensible head time:

Learn to drive before you look for a "quick" car. Its all very well passing your test, but its not until you have been out on the road on your own for a good few months/years that you really start to learn. You may be an awesome driver but there are that many knobs on the roads these days that you have to watch out for.

Get a nice little banger for a year that you dont care too much about, cram your mates in, go places, have a giggle and enjoy the freedom.

I had a K reg little 106 for my first car. Paid £700 for it and i abused it to death (the scrap yard) i did 38000 miles in my first year of driving. Didn't stay in one single night. That little pug took me everywhere. Even had 8 people sleep in it on the beach one night. Every panel had a dent/scratch and it was an awful lime green colour. It was used and abused and it/i loved every single second of it. My best car ever. Fact

That's kinda what I'm thinking, first car and I understand that it's still not a good idea to want a fast first car because in your first few months/year your at most risk and still learning! I was thinking of getting a small like 1.0-1.2, but when I went out last night in my mates 1.8 Turbo Golf I felt like I wanted something with at least some power for when you want a bit of speed on a straight road or something, and so I can thrash my mates haha ( I know it sound stupid/dangerous.) But maybe I'm being unrealistic then and need to accept that it's probably not the safest idea?

End of day I want to have fun, but don't want to end up as another statistic.

[muddy_trousers]

i repeat 106 xsi

I thought he wanted something quick?!?!

[VtsTom]

The most fun i had in a car was in that pug. I admit, all i did was think about when i could afford a better car but that first year was unforgetable, for all the right reasons.

A furio would be a good choice for a first car if you didnt want the tatty banger look

[Danr]

If you are willing to pay £2k on insurance and £1k on a car. Why not buy a better, slower car for £2k and try and insure it for a grand?

[Danr]

I thought he wanted something quick?!?!

Quicker than a vtr!

[bullit]

I thought he wanted something quick?!?!

oh muddy, muddy

[Danr]

You could get this shape Punto for £2k.

http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/893/893907-1.jpg
1.2 so not to much on insurance either. My mate had one and nothing went wrong in two years.

[muddy_trousers]

You could get this shape Punto for £2k.

http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/893/893907-1.jpg
1.2 so not to much on insurance either. My mate had one and nothing went wrong in two years.

pure shite! I had a sporting for my 1st road car with 40k and it all fell apart.

[muddy_trousers]

Quicker than a vtr!

standard vtr's are slow. swift gti's arent all that quick either but for the money and eaze to insure the quickest option.

[Danr]

Really old cars now aren't they though?

Not that that's an issue. What are they like handling wise?

[Danr]

pure shite! I had a sporting for my 1st road car with 40k and it all fell apart.

Let me guess? You drove it like you stole it every time you got in it?

[muddy_trousers]

Really old cars now aren't they though?

Not that that's an issue. What are they like handling wise?

they wouldn't handle as well as a saxo but still very chuckable. If it was me getting a first car I wouldn't hesitate in buying one!

[Robin91]

If you are willing to pay £2k on insurance and £1k on a car. Why not buy a better, slower car for £2k and try and insure it for a grand?

Because I'll be paying insurance over a direct debit.. I don't have 2k to hand now, I only will have £1000-1200 realistically for a car when I've passed, because I have to account for the deposit on insurance as well.

Furios are only around £200 if that cheaper to insure each year than VTR, which seems kind of stupid!

[Danr]

£20 a month is half a tank of fuel. You sound like you want a vtr. There isn't any reason you can't get a decent vtr for your budget. Just buy with your head and not your heart and you'll be fine :)

[Robin91]

£20 a month is half a tank of fuel. You sound like you want a vtr. There isn't any reason you can't get a decent vtr for your budget. Just buy with your head and not your heart and you'll be fine :)

I am thinking maybe I'm being unrealistic.. And I guess I havn't really thought too much about other things like tax, petrol, which will be a lot more on a VTR.

Might need to ask this elsewhere, but how much would it cost to get a relatively good sound system (6x9s, Amp, Headunit, Sub with cables and whatever else is needed)? Is it possible for £300-400? And how hard are they to fit/set up?

[moxy89]

my saxo 1.1 looks nice <----

[muddy_trousers]

why get a vtr? u'll only be disapointed! swifts are as cheap to buy, cheaper to insure and far quicker.

[Danr]

I am thinking maybe I'm being unrealistic.. And I guess I havn't really thought too much about other things like tax, petrol, which will be a lot more on a VTR.

Might need to ask this elsewhere, but how much would it cost to get a relatively good sound system (6x9s, Amp, Headunit, Sub with cables and whatever else is needed)? Is it possible for £300-400? And how hard are they to fit/set up?

Petrol wise i didn't notice a big difference when i went from my 1.1 desire to my vtr. Only 20 or so miles less a tank but obviously that depends how you drive it. It may have been my earnings increasing which meant i didn't really notice it. Also... Tax is tax. It costs more but if you put say... £18 a month by then after a year you'd have £180 etc.

A sound system can cost as much as you are willing to pay. A basic headunit, components and sub all in could cost around £300 and give you a better quality system than the standard one.

[Robin91]

why get a vtr? u'll only be disapointed! swifts are as cheap to buy, cheaper to insure and far quicker.

Are we talking about a Suzuki Swift? What's the model that'll be faster than a VTR, GTi?

Petrol wise i didn't notice a big difference when i went from my 1.1 desire to my vtr. Only 20 or so miles less a tank but obviously that depends how you drive it. It may have been my earnings increasing which meant i didn't really notice it. Also... Tax is tax. It costs more but if you put say... £18 a month by then after a year you'd have £180 etc.

A sound system can cost as much as you are willing to pay. A basic headunit, components and sub all in could cost around £300 and give you a better quality system than the standard one.


Hmm okay I thought there'd be a big difference across the board, but maybe I thought wrong! :p

[muddy_trousers]

Are we talking about a Suzuki Swift? What's the model that'll be faster than a VTR, GTi?




Hmm okay I thought there'd be a big difference across the board, but maybe I thought wrong! :p

yes a gti, its a 1.3 16v. Ive never owned one but driven a couple and they really are very sharp. I know this will ruffle a few feathers and I'm sorry fella's but vtr's are slow and imo a vts is the only way to go. AX gt's are quicker than vtr's so maybe thats an option....

[Danr]

Personally i don't think VTR's are quick at all. They are quite perky but for the insurance and general driving fun that can be had in them for the price there isn't much that can beat them.... (Note the isn't much part)

Parts are dead cheap, they are amazingly easy to work on as well. Before i had my saxo i didn't have a clue about cars but playing with it and looking about i've got a basic knowledge of cars).

Best thing to do Robin is to go out and get test driving. Find some local garages and take some cars out. Who care's if you might be wasting their time! You never know, give it 10 years and you could be buying m3's from the same place.

[muddy_trousers]

sensible sugestion. money isnt going to burn a hole in your pocket so hold out until you find something you really want. when I bought the punto i was too eager and should of waited then ended up loosing alot of money. u only get one first car so make sure she's a good'n

[Robin91]

What are the older Ibiza 1.4's like to drive? Also what do people think of Clios (1.2)?

[James_Skylit]

Alot of mates have clio 1.2s and there pretty nippy for a first car, and quite comfy :) obviously the vtr eats the clio pretty easily. I got a vtr for a first car, best thing i did, so glad i didnt get the 1.0l saxo i was going to get..

[-Alex-]

Meh you need to buy a car through insurance and buy that i mean, get a quote for all the cars mentioned first, then see whichever is cheapest. I just bought a corsa B 1.2 sxi and tbh it's rough round the edges, but its a diamond, full sxi interior with slight bucket seats, ecotec engine, and 60K miles. Only issues are small scratches and a buckled passenger door where someone has tried to break in.

[andymiller_VTR]

What are the older Ibiza 1.4's like to drive? Also what do people think of Clios (1.2)?

i had a 1.2 clio for my first car. It was great get 5 people in it easy wasnippy enough aswell. Ive seen quite a few lowered with new wheels and they look minted. I had mine for 6 months then sold and bought VTR. Insurance was much cheaper then.

Seems like a better option to me.