What first car would you buy with £4-5k?

[AutumnAttic]

I've finally passed my test and need a reliable little runaround that's cheap to insure.

DCs are 3 and 6 so even though they still have booster seats I reckon I'd be fine with a 3 door.

Beyond that I know NOTHING about what I need to think about when buying a car.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my little Toyota Aygo. It's a 1 litre, 3 cylinder, petrol car but has four doors (and the two back seats have isofix points) and fits four adults comfortably (even when one of them is my 6 foot 2 FIL). It's really nippy around town (unless I'm going up a REALLY steep hill), is teeny enough to fit into those small places that people don't think a car can fit, comfortably copes with motorways. Tax was £20 for the year. Insurance was £150 to add it to our multi-car policy for 11 months.

Oh, and I bought it for just over £4,000 on a 12 plate.

I know that the Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Kia Picanto are pretty decent and really cheap to insure.

I got myself a little VW Polo, and it's just THE BEST! Cheap to run, insure and it's safe (best in class, I think).

Get a manual btw if you've just passed.

And well done!

I second the Polo. Safe, efficient, classic, reliable.

Definitely the Polo - well built and will last. I have heard good things about Hyundai. Would not be my choice but may well be reliable. Avoid anything French or Italian. A Fiesta may also be a good buy.

A corsa. I have driven them for years and never had a problem. Lovely little cars and plenty of space for 2 children in the back.

My first car was a corsa. I loved it and only sold it when we had dc3 as couldnt fit three seats in it. I'm

vauxhall Astra - 5 doors much better with kids. I've had two from Vauxhall approved used. Never broken down and we do a lot of motorway travel, and sail through MOT's. Look at cost of servicing whilst comparing cars - some are much more to service. If you can get an astra with the elite package - you get a sportier look, heated seats and leather.

I'd avoid ford cars, feel very plastic inside and I've had problems with one before.

Also do you need isofix for the boosters, as some don't have them as standard (depends on age and model).

My car recently broke down and I asked the AA guy what I should buy next, he said anything Japanese, most reliable and he almost never gets called out to them.

Hmmmm. On another thread a Mazda is a write off on an 08 plate! Massive problems. Truthfully, German is best! Japanese are full of gadgets and very boring. Astra/Corsa - are ok but not the best in their respective class by a long way. A bit cheap and cheerful.

Get 5 doors whatever it is

I have a fiesta. new shape not the Tony old ones.

it's only a 1.25 so om the slow to accelerate side. BUT... its smooth to drive, comfortable, fairly quiet and seems to be economical. fits two kids comfortably.

I would get a 5 door much more flexible. I have a vauxhall meriva it's a nice dull family car but easy to drive and not too big.

Don't assume cars like the C1, Aygo Eric are cheaper to insure. When DS2 passed his test a 1.2 Clio was the cheapest.

We've got an 09 plate Polo as a run around. I love it and would recommend it.

I would get a smallish 5 door - Polo or a Fabia

Eric should be etc! Bloody iPad

Thanks all, lots of good ideas. I would be better with a 5 door; you're right a 3 door would probably get on my tits quite quickly.

talking about getting a car is distracting me from the fact that I'm fucking terrified of getting in one by myself

Toyota auris
Honda jazz
Vw up
Seat ibiza/Leon