First car

[glittershoes]

I have just this very morning passed my test! At the moment I don't have a car but obviously want one soon.

The thing is, I have absolutely no clue what to get! None at all. I learnt in a Clio which was great but ideally want a 5 door car for ease with car seats etc.. (not pregnant yet but trying!). Obviously as economical and safe as possible but I don't even know where to start.

Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions, either of cars that are great or even where to start to look?

Thanks in advance.

Congratulations! Are you looking for a brand-new car or a used one? What's your approximate budget? Parkers is a reliable car guide: www.parkers.co.uk/

PS avoid Puntos, DS had two and both blew the head gasket around 70,000 miles. :(

Thanks for getting back to me.

No idea on the new or used really. Half of me thinks that a reliable used is better but then I know there a quite a lot of deals about for new cars where you almost rent the car.

Budget for upfront is about £2000 but obviously that could be used more effectively as a deposit perhaps?

The only other thing is that my husband is 6'4" so he needs to be able to fit in it!

Go you! I'd go to a car supermarket, not to buy from there (they're often more expensive because they do cheap finance) but it means you can have a seat in lots of different makes and models and have a feel of what you like.

I've got a Clio and it's surprisingly easy to get the car seat in and out of the back as the doors open really wide (although am 38 weeks pregnant with my first so basing this on my nephew not doing it every day!).

Thanks Pottering - hadn't even thought about going to a car supermarket. Seems like a perfect place to start.

I really didn't think about it until yesterday, naive little me sort of thought that I would pass, immediately get the perfect car and drive off into the sunset!