Buying first car. Tell me the best and worst cars you've owned

[MyRabbit79]

As the title says, I need to buy my first ever car. But I'm clueless.

So to give me a start, please share what the best car you've ever owned is and also if there's been a car you've hated.

Particularly if they've been good or bad in terms of reliability and ease of use.

Thank you!

Of my 'early day' cars the worst was a Peugeot 206. The very best was a Honda Civic that ran for quite a few years without a single isue - until I had to sell it before moving abroad for a period.

I’ve had a Ford Focus - loved it.
Then a Vauxhall Astra - pretty good, only lost some points for being not the best in snow and ice. Lasted me 14 years though without any major issues.
Now I have a Vauxhall Corsa - only had it around 6 months so not much to say. It’s very similar to the Astra. Hopefully it does 14 years too!

My parents have had good experience with Nissan as well.

Currently drive a second hand Honda Jazz and bloody love it. Totally hassle free and reliable. Previously had a Hyundai i30 that was horrific, issue after issue.

Skoda Yeti - has won “car of the year” on many occasions in the past. They no longer make them but I got an approved used one and it’s still going strong 6 years on. It’s been extremely reliable, roomy (fitted a sofa in it!) and quiet to drive. Good handling.

You can't go wrong with Japanese cars. They don't necessarily have the build quality or the kudos of other brands, but they are usually well equipped and reliable.

If you fancy a nice Mercedes convertible, I just happen to know someone selling one at the moment 😉

VWs I’ve/ we’ve bought them for the last 40 years. We’ve only changed models because of different needs, sports model swapped for Passat estates and then a Beetle that lasted 20 years, now a T-cross. Only ever broken down once in all that time.
so I’d look for a good condition Polo.
My DS’s second car is a Yaris and it’s been very good.

We primarily buy Toyotas or Hondas. They run forever as long as you keep them serviced.

My favourite car was a Skoda Karoq. I loved two Audi TTs and a Mazda MX5.

I didn’t like a Mini Cooper S because it was really uncomfortable and I didn’t like a Citroen Saxo because it leaked.

My advice is buy Japanese/Korean cars.

Best cars have been Toyota Yaris and Hyundai (my current car.)

Worst car Peugeot and fiat's.

That's interesting about the Peugeot, my lessons were in one and the instructor was quite evangelical about his. I will bear your experience in mind though!

I'm definitely looking at buying a used car, not new, so the Skoda is an option

@HappiestSleeping I suspect the Mercedes is buying my budget - and requirements! Thanks though!

Beyond not buying

Depends what you want.

German cars I like the best. But they are horribly expensive to run and aren't all that reliable, often because they are quite complicated. They are cars for fashion victims (I am one now).

Ford I have found relatively reliable and also really cheap to run and easy to do DIY repair jobs on but not that exciting.

My first car was an original Nissan Micra. When I traded it in, it turned out to have been two written-off Micras someone had soldered together. It ran like the clappers, never gave me any trouble a day in its little life until the front headlamps got full of water in a flood and the garage informed me it wasn't worth repairing as the car was basically worth nothing. Absolutely fantastic cars. I don't know about the modern ones (this was a 90s model) but I'd probably chance it and buy one again.

Have had 3 x Honda Jazz over past 20+ years - never broken down or had any issues. Loads of space

Best was an Audi A3, S-Line Quattro. Pulled like a train, handled like it was on rails. It was super comfortable and looked nice too for bonus points. Special mention too to the Volvo XC60 I have at the moment, absolute tank of a car.
Worst has to be Corsas, what gutless, wet fish cars they are. Crap on fuel as well, for the power and size of them, as far as I remember.

Best - Toyotas
Worst - Fiat

My worst car was a BMW 2002, and the best has been any of the Subaru Imprezas I've owned since.

This is good to hear. I'd like to get a 'new' car (newer than my 13 year old one) and these are all the cars barely affordable that I've been looking at

Most unreliable/costly - Alfa Romeo 147 (but I did love it at the same time) and both Renault Clios (poor build quality)
Current and very pleased with - Kia Sportage (most recent model).

Edit: just seen you're looking at 2nd hand. I would really recommend Kia as they have a 7 year warranty - if you buy a Kia approved 2nd hand car, they reset the warranty. We had a Ceed for 8 years and it was very reliable.

Quoting myself because having said that, neither of my favourite cars are very good first cars. Talk about missing the point of your thread, sorry!

Seat
Volkswagen

Are the best

Dont get a fiat

BMW 1 series - awful in snow. Couldn't move. Hated it & will never have another BMW.

Hyundai Tucson, great until the engine went pop then 10 months in the garage to repair. Another on the black list.

Mini cooper -x 2 loved, but a hard ride, not comfy, would consider a countryman.

Golf - had a few & rate them. The less tech the better IMO, as that's what goes wrong not the mechanics. On my good list.

Vauxhall mokka - ugly but my god it was a workhorse. No problems & easy to drive.

Volvo XC40 - Lovely drive, I feel very safe but makes some weird noises which I'm never sure if it's quite okay...

Nearly bought a Toyota CHR - nice drive, but decided it was a taxi driver car.

Best - VW beetle 2l. It was 17 before it needed any repairs other than brakes, replacement battery etc so cost me nothing in maintenance.
Honda Civic
Toyota's also good

Our Fiat was a disaster