First Car - what to get? Help Please!

[imamissandamummy]

Hi all, i am currently looking for my first car having got to this age without ever having driven, i have recently been taking lessons and will be test ready soon.

I have a toddler so it doesnt need to be anything with a massive boot for a pram - so long as it can fit a carseat in!

My spec is:
1.) SAFE (in crash tests)
2.) SMALL (but dont mind 3 or 5 dr)
3.) CHEAP TO INSURE
4.) RECCOMENDED BY OTHERS!

Please share your small-car stories with me,i am determined to get it right... dont want to get something that looks nice and ends up costing me in repairs all the time!
Thanks in advance
xxx

depends on budget too!
also wha t kind of driving you'll do

I had a Saxo - cheap and it did the job but was rattly and tinny and slow, and shit for lomg journeys and developed some major faults

now have a Focus and it is way nicer - would buy a Ford again.
Fiesta?

well don't get a renault! they are cheap to buy and are safe but they will end up costing you a fortune to keep on the road! i would get a vw, toyota or honda? i have changed to a vw-the aa men who came out when i had my renault recommended these.

good luck and happy driving!

VW lupo is really reliable and good mpg

thanks ladies, my budget will reach most second hand cars, dont have a fixed price in mind but want something that is less than 3 yrs old.

im clueless about the names of cars though lol, cant even remember what im learning in.. a citroen c-something, 2? 3?

im going to list any that are recommended and give the list to a friend who has a few used-car shops and see what they can do!

keep them coming!

Thanks. x

I would second a ford focus. I got one after I passed my driving test at 37 weeks pregnant.I got an automatic. Loads of boot space and so easy to drive.

oh if you have the budget get a vw polo or golf, or a skoda fabia. Or even a Mercedes A-class
safe, small and well built.

a ford will be cheaper but not quite such good quality

a diesel will probably be cheaper to run if this bothers you

thanks. have got ford on my list now! i dont know whether i could stretch to a mercedes for my first! lol.
i am tempted by vw too, although higher price at first i think they seem to be well built.

thanks for the help, i am listening!

well, you did say you had the budget for anytghing!

if a VW will stretch you def look at Skoda Fabia, or the Seat Leon. Both have the same chassis & engine as the VW Golf so are as reliable but cheaper.

I know you said lots of space wasn't really necessary, but I bet you'll fill whatever you have?!

We'd recommend something with sliding rear doors - SO much easier in car parks.

these cars tend to have higher roofs too, so much less bending down when installing DC

Our Citroen Berlingo has been great. 5 years of trouble-free motoring so far (fatal thing to say...) so we'd say one of those or similar.

The other cars we've before / since were never as useful for family running around in as the 'lingo. These inc two estates and two hatchbacks. Well worth a look.

They feel quite big when you first get in them, because they tend to be quite tall, but you soon get used to it. They fit in multi-storey car parks fine too. Cheap insurance too

But daresay we'll be shot down for our choice as it isn't very 'sexy' - but neither is a bad back, and we think our brightly coloured car is quite funky - can always find it in the car park!

I had a ford Ka and my brother a fiesta were both great!

Honda Jazz
Ford Fiesta
Mazda 2
Suzuki Swift