new car for 18yr old.

[b1g5m0k3]

500-600 to spend, whats the most reliable car i can get for this sort of money.. must be under a 1.6

seen loads of old escorts on autotrader, are they any good?

they seem to be really low milage and about 300 quid

Autotrader Link

[base]

my money would be on one of these, jap reliability they may not look nice but first car reckon it would stand you proud , for cost of running tax etc. i would have a micra over a escort any day, i have owned both many many years ago.

Autotrader Link

[stinkwheel]

[Robby]

I owned a 1995 1.6 escort when I was 18. Was a good car, fairly entertaining to drive, reliable, general family hatchback.

However, that one is a different kettle of fish. The old 1.3 engine is pretty much the same as when it was first released in the 60s, and it's a bit crap. Also that is an older shape now, and you can expect more rust, although it probably is a lighter bodyshell.

See if you can afford to run/insure a newer escort and you'll have a decent car.

[stinkwheel]

Mind you, a mate of mine payed £500 for an old Hyundai. He got FOUR more MOTs out of it before the suspension collapsed having used nothing other than oil and tyres.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Clanger]

I would ALWAYS try and spend the most money you can...eg. about £1,000 - otherwise you are likely to be buying a lemon.

What I can tell you is, I drive a MkII Nissan Micra - the small Japanese basic of basic cars. Bought her 6 years ago with 34k on the clock.

Insurance is just £100 fully comprehensive (for me ) - I get f/c because the amount of times the windscreen gets hit by stones on the motorway makes it worth it!!!

Mine is 1996 P plate. I have replaced battery (£80), starter motor (£57), bulbs (80p), brake pads, gators (£6), and have got a mint exhaust from Silverlake for £17.

She passes all MOT's no probs, have been told she's in good nick for her age. Got about 80k on the clock now, because I do travel.

MkI Micra's are also really good cars.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Clanger]

Personally I'd stay WELL clear of a £500 Ford.

It will have been thrashed to the inch of it's life. If you cannot afford more money, go Japanese.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[b1g5m0k3]

Autotrader Link

how about this ? can probably haggle to 500 quid aswel

[Sparks!]

Fords are expensive to insure.. I found a 1998 phase 2 model peugeot 306, 1,9 TDI worth £2000 was a LOT cheaper to insure than the £500 Ford Escort 1.6 I was lookng to buy before it.......! worth looking into, can get old 306 diesels fairly cheap now too.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[b1g5m0k3]

i will probably end up buying a micra now, a 1.9l is far to big for me to insure.

but i also like this

Autotrader Link

looks nice

[Sparks!]

[base]

1.9 diesel pugs are good tools but what is the tax group like, for them? in comparision to 1.0L?

[Clanger]

The way I see it, I run a small cheap basic car, which does pretty most everything it needs to do. Then I spend money on my lovely pretty bike, if I fancy a blast - then I get the bike out, if I wanna do the shopping I go in the car...

If you are not materialistic, then a Micra should do you fine for now.

Build up your no claims (age a bit) and eventually when you can afford 'the car of your dreams' and have money to spend you'll be able to afford the car AND the insurance too.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Phoenix]

Escorts are nice to drive for a cheap little crapper, but they're not very reliable at all. I had a 1.4 which was not bad, but pretty slow and crap on fuel (and oil). As robby said, the 1.3 engine is ancient and extremely underpowered, the non turbo diesels are also absolutely shocking.

For a £500 budget I'd find something japanese, Nissan primera petrol is a good choice, camchain driven rather than belt and should go for 250K, not bad to drive either, just try and avoid ex taxi's as they tend to be sold when they're considered to be at the end of their useful or cost effective life. Just make sure it's been serviced reasonably like anything.

[MarJay]

What about a Citroen AX? They are very cheap and they are stupidly light so they go quite well despite not having much power.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Dom_]

Get a sierra.

[wizzzard]

I have driven quite a few japanese cars hondas and nissans and i have always found them to be completely devoid of any feeling or excitement to the point where my wifes civic is more boring and less involved to drive than my transit.

I bought my sons first car for him yesterday ( just turned 17 ) and i decided to go for a 96 astra 1.6.

The insurance isnt that high and yes the engine sensors will start to play silly buggers but at least it feels nice to drive and i think with the price of cars being so low at the moment sacrificing reliablility for enjoyment is no big thing.

Picked it up for £300 with 12 months mot and some tax left on it and it is pretty much immaculate at those prices its easy enough to run them into the ground and get another.
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[Grendel]

I'm with the Jap votes.
Although my best cheap car i had was a Volvo 1.4 340GL that old tank was 2nd time around the clock yet still running strong with no faults. But a Volvo will be too expensive at your age to insure.

I recon your get a very nice Mk1 or Mk2 Nissan Micra for your money there a great little car as long as your not too tall.

Autotrader Link
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Current bike: 1993 Honda Transalp
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[b1g5m0k3]

ok a few things.. first off the nissan primera came back at 4 grand insurance

second, the 309 deiseil came back at 2.3k.. so not too bad really.

lastly, i found this micra.

Autotrader Link

listed for 400 quid can prob haggle to 300, and its dont hardly any miles so ill probably buy this. YES its an automatic and yes ill look like a tit.. but oh well

[Grendel]

Looks Ok but personally i'd go for a manual since thats what you learnt to drive in i presume?
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Past bike: 2004 Hyosung Comet
Current bike: 1993 Honda Transalp
Transalp Page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=11418462079

[wizzzard]

Ouch those insurance quotes look expensive my sons only came back at 1200 tpft with his mum as secondary driver. That was using go compare.
____________________
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[b1g5m0k3]

yeah i learnt in manual. and oops ive been doing quotes for fully comp. let me try again

[b1g5m0k3]

weird.. still getting quotes of 2k

[wizzzard]

Is there anyone you could add as a second driver to bring it down a little.
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And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[b1g5m0k3]

i added my mum, with like 10 years no claims and it made no diffrence