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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU expensive first car?

58 replies

sanbeiji · 17/01/2022 21:21

Just passed my driving test at a ripe older age :)
I know that newly passed drivers have a higher rate of accidents + insurance. Was planning to carefully research, look at various cars and buy an old banger (under £3K).

Problem is I work full time so can only see cars on weekends - by which time the cars I'm interested in have gone! I'm also the only driver so end up taking public transport which takes ages. Dealers which are 20-30 mins away by car end up taking an hour by public transport meaning I can't go to many and do a thorough inspection of each car. Taxis are obviously expensive.

I have found a couple of decent cars between 6-7K. AIBU to bite the bullet and buy one?

Just to note my reservations aren't about cost. It's just that everyone has advised me to not buy an expensive first car. I do however need one within the next couple of months as we return to the office.

OP posts:

Policyschmolicy · 18/01/2022 06:09

I passed my test at 17 so my first car was a bit of an old banger, but I’m not sure I would agree that you shouldn’t have a nice first car. I didn’t dent or damage mine and you definitely won’t be doing the kind of wannabe girl racer driving that I did. I’d recommend something small, perhaps a polo or a fiesta (unless you need bigger), and then buy the most decent one you can. Too cheap/old and it’s likely to need work over time. Something about 5 years old would be good if that comes in on budget.

hugr · 18/01/2022 06:13

Go to some dealerships and have a look at cars in person!

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 18/01/2022 06:29

Congratulations on passing. Buy the best you can afford, it will probably pay off in the long run. Enjoy your independence 🚗

Original poster

sanbeiji · 18/01/2022 08:57

@hugr

Go to some dealerships and have a look at cars in person!

I have been. However I can’t afford to spend 1.5 hours on transport/£50 on an Uber just to see one car anymore.

OP posts:

PrincessNutella · 18/01/2022 09:09

Six or seven K is not that much!

Original poster

sanbeiji · 18/01/2022 09:17

@Policyschmolicy

thanks for the vote of confidence

OP posts:

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 18/01/2022 11:19

My first car was £6950.00 its an older car 2010 with ridiculously low mileage. One previous owner who did less than 1000 miles a year and serviced it religiously. 3 years on, the only repairs its needed are new brakes and tyres which I think was reasonable after 11 years practically unused.

I don't think 3k is going to get you much at today's prices tbh the used car market is in high demand right now and what it does get you probably isn't going to be all that reliable.

Chely · 18/01/2022 11:30

My 1st car was brand new little thing that cost me £8k, 2 days after I picked it up someone knocked my drivers wing mirror off. Only had the car 15 months and sold it for £6k, was pregnant and we kept dh's bigger car (we had that one 9.5years). We've only bought second hand since, current family car was 3 when we got it and had that over 7 years now so doing well out if it. Got a shiny new hire car while ours is being repaired after a crash, it's lovely but I miss my old girl and can't wait to get her back (been in a month).

Somanyquestions1984 · 18/01/2022 11:54

6-7k not really an expensive car
More like 20k plus

Whereismumhiding3 · 18/01/2022 12:52

£6k isn't an expensive first car!! £20k is an expensive first car...

Is it a good deal? Can you afford it? Look up insurance costs on each car before you buy so you can factor that in . I would think it's more snot engine size as as a new driver what damage you can do to other cars that is large part of cost of insurance

Original poster

sanbeiji · 18/01/2022 13:34

@Somanyquestions1984

6-7k not really an expensive car More like 20k plus

Hahaha that’s what I thought initially but anything more than 5K is expensive in my circles.

However…most of them haven’t bought cars in a while, and are used to buying 12++ year old cars and running them to the ground. They certainly know what to look for.

OP posts:

Original poster

sanbeiji · 18/01/2022 13:34

*for a first car ofc not in general

OP posts:

hugr · 18/01/2022 17:40

However I can’t afford to spend 1.5 hours on transport/£50 on an Uber just to see one car anymore.

Most have more than 1 car

Original poster

sanbeiji · 18/01/2022 17:51

@hugr

However I can’t afford to spend 1.5 hours on transport/£50 on an Uber just to see one car anymore.

Most have more than 1 car

Obviously the car has to fit my budget, I'm not going to see 'just any' car...

OP posts:

Original poster

sanbeiji · 18/01/2022 17:52

*budget and other requirements

OP posts:

CornishSeaSwim · 19/01/2022 09:08

If I was you I would go for the more expensive car, if you can afford it. Sometimes you get lucky with cheaper cars (my first car was £2400, and very reliable- but that was 15 years ago and I have had a few different ones since then!), but generally if you are buying an older, cheaper car with higher mileage it is likely to need more work. I agree that used car prices have inflated massively. I bought a new car last year after an accident in my old car, I had set a limit at 10k, and ended up spending almost 14k. However this is a 2 year old car with very low mileage so hoping to keep it for a long time. I think you just have to make the decision and go for it!

HouseofSkullduggery · 19/01/2022 14:08

Have you thought about leasing? You can get a brand new car, tax and maintenance all included. The car will never be yours but there's lots of options and it's hassle free motoring. And they'll deliver to your door. You can test drive your chosen vehicle at a dealership beforehand (and see if they can price match) so you know what it's like

hugr · 19/01/2022 16:35

@sanbeiji

*budget and other requirements

If you go to a large dealership they will have a lot of cars, some of which will fit your requirements.

CMOTDibbler · 19/01/2022 16:46

Way back when, I bought my first car at 28. As insurance was going to be expensive, it actually worked out really well for me to buy a brand new car which had 3 years insurance, breakdown cover, and servicing included in the PCP so I also had no worries about the car breaking down or anything like that

BeforetheFlood · 19/01/2022 17:05

We were in a similar position OP, having decided to buy a small car for my dd to learn in (as she can't even get on a waiting list for lessons) I was thinking it would cost between maybe 4 and 5k (pricey enough to us!) and was pretty gutted to find what we would be getting with that budget.

We ended up buying an Up, which is 10 years old but really low mileage. It cost 7k, which kept me awake for a few nights, but I couldn't justify not spending the money on something that would be safer. It just seems to be what decent, reliable, roadworthy small cars cost (to those of us who are clueless and don't know how to spot the diamonds amongst the rubble on Autotrader!)

Apparently it's not just the pandemic that has pushed prices up so drastically but Brexit. There's a certain chip that's used in the electrics of most cars that is in massively short supply, meaning fewer new cars are being manufactured and increasing demand for second hand ones. One of those unlucky timing things, but big congrats on passing your test!

Justleaveitblankthen · 19/01/2022 17:14

Japanese cars are excellent. I have had a Toyota that was a little workhorse and now drive a Mazda.
Highly recommend 🤓

Pinotpleasure · 19/01/2022 17:20

@sanbeiji - perhaps you could rent a car for a day or weekend and you will be able to go out to lots of garages and car dealerships to view cars for sale?

@BeforetheFlood - the lack of computer chips for new cars has nothing to do with Brexit. It is a worldwide (mining) issue affecting car manufacturers in the USA, Japan,Korea, Australia as well as in Europe.

Original poster

sanbeiji · 19/01/2022 18:44

@Justleaveitblankthen

Japanese cars are excellent. I have had a Toyota that was a little workhorse and now drive a Mazda. Highly recommend 🤓

Glad to know that's what everyone else has said. DP's family have rather a lot.. the one rule is no French cars

OP posts:

Original poster

sanbeiji · 19/01/2022 18:48

[quote Pinotpleasure]@sanbeiji - perhaps you could rent a car for a day or weekend and you will be able to go out to lots of garages and car dealerships to view cars for sale?

@BeforetheFlood - the lack of computer chips for new cars has nothing to do with Brexit. It is a worldwide (mining) issue affecting car manufacturers in the USA, Japan,Korea, Australia as well as in Europe.[/quote]
I can't rent a car as a newly passed learner.
@HouseofSkullduggery I seriously considered that, but the interest rate would be too high. I don't have a good credit score because I've only been in the UK a few years.

It's a pity as I earn well and can more than afford it. For the cost I might as well get the cars I'm considering

OP posts:

AnotherEmma · 19/01/2022 19:03

For your budget I would get a used Skoda Fabia, they're great value cars and won What Car Used Small Car of the Year 2021. As a PP said, an online dealer that delivers could be a good option. If you can't afford to buy outright, MoneySavingExpert has good guides to the various finance options. Some dealers will let you pay some of the amount on a credit card which is helpful because you can use a 0% interest one and it also gives you good buyer protection.

www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808

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