1st Car

M

Moffo

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Will soon be looking for a 1st Car for my Son who is almost 19. Once a car has passed its NCT, is it still necessary to get a mechanic to check it out, like we used to do in the old days ! Would welcome any advice, also, what would be the most recommended starter car, something like a Polo, Corsa, Punto, Micra, etc. Thanks
 
I'd rule out Micra as he is a male and Punto because they're crap.

Corsa/Ibiza - something like that maybe. He would be grateful for anything I'm sure but it may be a relief for him not to get something perceived as being 'girly'.

However, if he doesn't care, all the better - the Micra (new one) is actually more enjoyable to drive (and more reliable) than those mentioned. Depends how much you want to spend.

If there is a reasonable length left on the NCT (over a year say) I'd probably risk it especially if the car is a generally reliable model in the first place.
 
I had a Punto and it was great, it was my first car and I loved it.

My brother had a Corsa when he first started to drive, a lot of the local 'young fellas' have Corsas. You can't really beat VW with their Polos too, very reliable.
 
Smashbox said:
I had a Punto and it was great, it was my first car and I loved it.
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Then again, he’s a guy and you’re a girl. :D

Smashbox said:
You can't really beat VW with their Polos too, very reliable.
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Polo’s have problems with their electrics (for example how many do you see with one break light).

The Ford Fiesta is a good car; I’d rate it higher than a Polo.
If you get the right Punto they are fine (if a bit tinny) but if you get the wrong one (most of them) they will break your heart.
 
My wife has had a Polo for past 5 years. Running as sweetly as when she bought it. No problems of any description.
 
When we were buying a second car, our local mechanic strongly urged me not to buy an Opel Corsa. He said they give a lot of trouble.

The Renault Clio is a nice car but little things can go wrong with them (mostly electrics) and parts are incredibly expensive.

The Ford Fiesta is very dependable but, if I had my choice, I'd only ever drive a Japanese car. I've had quite a few and they are extremely reliable.
 
Buy Japanese. Starlet/Glanza (NOT the turbo though!!! It may only say 1.3L on the logbook but that's a trick that many dodgy people use to get cheap insurance. ), Mitsubishi Colt is a cool enough looking car, Honda Civic (lots of street cred).
French cars(Renault & Citroen esp) may be cheap to buy but something will break on it. Even a simple engine sensor can cost over €100 to buy, ABS sensors (NCT failure items) can be €150 a pop...and they can go pop a lot. Peugeot 206s aren't too bad, but may be seen as girly too.
Italian cars are best avoided unless you're going to buy something practically new (doubtful for a first car), or unless he's a mechanic.

My advice is to buy a diesel. Easier to maintain, less electrics, more economical, less chance of him partaking in a traffic light GP, but bigger engine and so higher insurance.
 
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