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First cars!

67 replies

MaloneMeadow · 03/02/2024 20:49

DD has recently passed her driving test so we are now on the look out for her first car. A Mini has always been her dream but I am cautious as they have a reputation of being unreliable. Anyone got any experience of them? I should add that it’s her own money she’s spending, so she has a budget of around £10k. I will be paying her first year of insurance. Any suggestion of other good first cars much appreciated

OP posts:
Longma · 04/02/2024 13:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 04/02/2024 14:07

MaloneMeadow · 04/02/2024 13:05

Can I ask how you think she’s being immature in this?

I didn’t say she was being immature but she’s obviously being swayed by other people’s opinions about certain makes of car. She needs to do what’s right for her and her circumstances, not other people and that can be tough at her young age.

Cappuccinfortwo · 04/02/2024 14:08

I'm in my fifties. My first car was and still is a Citroën- still going strong!

MaloneMeadow · 04/02/2024 14:20

Muchtoomuchtodo · 04/02/2024 14:07

I didn’t say she was being immature but she’s obviously being swayed by other people’s opinions about certain makes of car. She needs to do what’s right for her and her circumstances, not other people and that can be tough at her young age.

Your post says ‘she needs to take a more mature attitude to this’

She is. She’s open to pretty much anything except a Fiat 500 which frankly I agree with her on, stigma aside. They’re not exactly known for being well engineered. Despite wanting a Mini she understands that it might not be the right decision due to maintenance costs, reliability etc - hence the MN post.

OP posts:
MaloneMeadow · 04/02/2024 14:20

sleepismyhobby · 04/02/2024 13:51

Is it a rover mini or a bmw mini? I've had both rover mini was a death trap but I loved it. BMW mini I loved it and was very reliable my dh has had his John cooper works for 10 years and still going strong was 7 years old when he bought it so not brand new

It would be a BMW one - probably looking in and around 2016-2018 models

OP posts:
Berryberrywintermedley · 04/02/2024 15:03

So much more choice with a manual license though unfortunately

leccybill · 04/02/2024 15:33

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

Relax, it's just a lighthearted thing that raises its head annually when Love Island is on.
Being a teacher, thought you might have heard of it, my Year 11 form tell me all the 'cool' lingo.
'Basic' in this context means mainstream; enjoys mainstream brands and music.
It's not that heavy, really! Buy the car you like.

First cars!
TootYourOwnHorn · 04/02/2024 16:35

@MaloneMeadow going back to the "dumb blonde" thing, is it really? That's quite hilarious. If it makes any difference I've had two, absolutely no issues. I'm neither bloke nor "dumb", I have more than one degree. And with regards to them being "not well engineered", that's a very outdated opinion. The old ones weren't as reliable but I think it's a reputation they've not managed to shake off, which is a shame.

However, if it's not what she wants it won't make her happy. She's done well to save that. I really think she should just buy the mini if that's what she likes. If it turns out to be a mistake it's a life lesson, we've all bought silly cars at some point. If it works out well then everyone's happy. Buy the mini. Everyone has different opinions on cars but she's the one that has to drive it.

TootYourOwnHorn · 04/02/2024 16:35

TootYourOwnHorn · 04/02/2024 16:35

@MaloneMeadow going back to the "dumb blonde" thing, is it really? That's quite hilarious. If it makes any difference I've had two, absolutely no issues. I'm neither bloke nor "dumb", I have more than one degree. And with regards to them being "not well engineered", that's a very outdated opinion. The old ones weren't as reliable but I think it's a reputation they've not managed to shake off, which is a shame.

However, if it's not what she wants it won't make her happy. She's done well to save that. I really think she should just buy the mini if that's what she likes. If it turns out to be a mistake it's a life lesson, we've all bought silly cars at some point. If it works out well then everyone's happy. Buy the mini. Everyone has different opinions on cars but she's the one that has to drive it.

Blonde* not bloke. Although I'm not a bloke either.

AcridAndStanLee · 04/02/2024 17:04

Do not get a fiat 500. They are put together with glue and a cockloger is more reliable.

If she wants a mini, get a mini. They are solid, reliable and safe! I wouldn't give it any further thought!

I would say she needs a dogger to drive for six months or so to get more experience in and take all that freshly passed damage but you can get old minis for that. My first car was driven into a wall within a month or two. I was gutted.

AcridAndStanLee · 04/02/2024 17:07

I had a 2015 mini and although small, it was perfect in every other way. Ambient lighting with changing colours for the child in me, funky dash, fashionable and comfortable seats, great stereo and a chilli pack to look better. It was grey with black wheels and I felt the bees knees. I've driven much flasher cars but it really was all that!

RosesAndHellebores · 04/02/2024 17:13

At the end of the day, when you go out to buy a first car or any 2nd hand car, you start with a list of requirements: transmission, fuel type, insurance class, mileage, engine size, budget. If all are reasonable for the budget, choice is driven by what's available and what's a sensible deal. Those are the parameters.

ToothFairy2023 · 04/02/2024 17:20

Is she going off to Uni (and definitely needs a car to get to placement) as if she is going off to Uni and doesn’t need a car for placement having her own car now might be mixed blessing with all the expensive running and costs and she may not get much use out of it also many Uni’s don’t allow onsite parking or it is not guaranteed and extremely expensive.

If she isn’t going to Uni or is going and needs a car to get to placement please ignore the above.

MaloneMeadow · 04/02/2024 19:08

Berryberrywintermedley · 04/02/2024 15:03

So much more choice with a manual license though unfortunately

Unfortunate as it may be that’s just the way things are for DD.

OP posts:
MaloneMeadow · 04/02/2024 19:14

ToothFairy2023 · 04/02/2024 17:20

Is she going off to Uni (and definitely needs a car to get to placement) as if she is going off to Uni and doesn’t need a car for placement having her own car now might be mixed blessing with all the expensive running and costs and she may not get much use out of it also many Uni’s don’t allow onsite parking or it is not guaranteed and extremely expensive.

If she isn’t going to Uni or is going and needs a car to get to placement please ignore the above.

Yes, she’ll be going away to uni next year and will need a car for placement as she’s planning on doing an AHP degree. We’re sharing my car at the moment as she doesn’t particularly need one right now but in all honesty it’s not ideal for either of us and it would be best for her to have her own

OP posts:
WombatChocolate · 13/02/2024 15:40

I suppose it depends on whether you are keen to get the best value car (in terms of price and also insurance) or are prepared to spend more on a particular type of car which might be considered more stylish or desirable and which might have higher insurance.

The Aygo/C1/Peugeot 108 (all the same basic car) are likely to be the cheapest cars to buy and there are certainly models within Group 1 which gives cheapest insurance.

Slightly higher priced, and more robust in my view are the VW UP/Skoda Citigo/Seat Mii (all the same basic car) which also have Group 1 insurance models with small engines which are very suitable for new drivers.

You can go for a Mini or a Fiat 500 or similar ‘lifestyle’ car and lots of teenagers are drawn to these. They often cost more and some of the models are in surprisingly high insurance groups.

Polos, Fabias, Corsas, Fiestas - all associated with younger drivers, but often a bit bigger engine and often a couple of groups of insurance higher up.

Each family needs to decide what their budget is and what the priorities are. Some will be willing to soend several £k more in buying a car and also more in that first year of insurance too. Black box type insurance can be had for the Group 1 cars mentioned for well under £1k if a parent or two are added in on as named drivers, especially for a girl and especially if they have either turned 18 or have held their licence for even a few weeks or insurance is being taken out for 2+ weeks time rather than tomorrow. But equally you can pay £2-3k or more for insurance if you go for a higher insurance group car.

Most people are looking for the best value for car insurance for their new driving teens. But often they don’t buy the cars that can deliver this.

Firsttimebabymama · 13/02/2024 16:05

Never had a problem with Mini's. What a lovely first car :)

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