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I'd want a clean, commercial transaction with a business I can go back to if there's a problem, not a stranger you've only "met" over the web. I wouldn't buy from or even sell to friend.
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Nsar, yeah i'm thinking along them lines myself now.
He did however add that this person would introduce me to the dealer, THEN i pay him his share for effectivly doing the deal on my behalf.
Still i guess dealing with an established company and not some one man band, who you don't really know carrys more guarantees.
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What are you looking to buy? If you gibe a bit more information then there may be more suggestions on better deals from suppliers you may not be aware of.
BTW, congrats on passing the test :)
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Apoligies for my vague description.
Renault Clio i'm after BobbyG :)
Thanks for the congrats aswell :)
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I had a current-shape Clio for nearly 18 months. It was better than the Punto I had beforehand, but I was glad to see the back of it when it went. Not enough headroom (I'm only 5'9"), rake-only adjustment on the steering, unbearably rattly sunroof and interior, bldy useless remote locking that rarely worked first time even if you were standing next to the car, useless dealers as well. Decent handling and good level of kit were in its favour. Suggest you take a Seat Ibiza for a test drive and see what you think. Don't worry too much about the deal, there's always another deal and another car out there. It's your money so spend it as you see fit.
An alternative suggestion is to buy an older, much cheaper car for your first year or so of driving, as you're more likely to damage it as a newly-qualified driver. Not being mean or patronising, just realistic - I was 13 months qualified when I had my first prang, my wife 3 months.
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmmm, doughnuts
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Any more comments would be great as the car is going to cost me around £13,000-14,000!
For a Clio? How? (3.0 V6 excepted, obviously). A ukcb Clio 182 is £12k. Add metallic and Cup suspension and you get to £12,500. You can't really add a lot to that, certainly nothing you'd need.
It's a lot of car for the money but possibly a bit of a handful for a new driver. My first car had all of 45 bhp (and skinny 135 tyres). However I'm still prang free after eight years, somehow, so maybe all these slow cars are doing me some good after all.
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Lee, again without sounding patronising, think you may need to take a couple of steps backwards before going forwards.
I have absolutely no idea of your age, circumstances etc but , as per the other posts, £14K for a Clio sounds unrealistic, and perhaps £14K for your first car and the hefty insurance bill as well may be a bit unrealistic.
If you provide the backroom with more info along the above lines, you will be inundated with good, quality, experienced opinions.
FWIW, before looking at any car brokers etc, have a look at whats available in the showrooms, especially maybe 6 month old cars or even up to a couple of years old. Better someone else paying the depreciation than you?
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I would agree with the previous contribution - take your time. It's exciting having passed your test, and even more so buying your first car with a generous budget. Imagine the disappointment if you end up with a poor deal and financially worse off. Some salesmen may see you as an easy target with your enthusiasm and budget. Why not draw up a short list of similar vehicles and have test drives? It's very easy to get a false impression of a car, then a month after buying it fall out of love. It's too late once they have your cheque - depreciation is a killer, especially on Clio's brand new. Unless you are determined on brand new you can get far better deals on demonstrator models. Why not describe your requirements to the back room members and I'm sure they will provide suitable short-lists that will contain many alternatives for you to try out before taking the plunge.
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Thanks for the replies everyone, some quality advice.
Ok, some more details now. I've been doing some research prior to passing my test regards what car i'd like.
Having put aside my budget of around £13,000, give or take i'd decided on the Clio 182-i know its a rather silly thing to do!
I'm over 25 and it will also be driven by my fiance, who has been driving for 6 years (6yrs NCB) she also is over 25.
Looking for a 3dr hatchback, sporty type ( did consider a
Mini S but imo it's overpriced)
Ive looked into the insursnce side of things and all i'll say is thank god i'm going out with the Mrs! would'nt be possible to insure myself on a 182 ( looking at around £2,500!!)
One things for sure i/we would like a nice new car ( she has a KA at the moment)
Anything else you want/need to know, just ask.
Hope that helps a little becsuse i'm a bit confused...although i'd LOVE a Clio182!
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With all due respect, maybe too powerful a car for having just passed your test? Not just talking from the insurance aspect of bumps etc, think seriously about the human aspect , injuries, or even worse.
Sorry to out a dampner but being realistic. Also, if you get a certain amount of points in your first year you can end up having to resit your test.
Would suggest walking before running, I know its not what you want to hear though!
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"Ive looked into the insursnce side of things and all i'll say is thank god i'm going out with the Mrs! would'nt be possible to insure myself on a 182 ( looking at around £2,500!!)"
Thing is, if you insure the car with your wife named as main driver even though you are the main driver, then if/when you have cause to make a claim, the insurer will (as always) do their best not to pay out if they can avoid it. If they suspect that you are the main driver of the car, then worst case scenario you could end up losing the car as a write-off and not getting the insurance payout.
Somewhere on the web, there was a database of cars organised by insurance group, but I stupidly forgot to add it to my favourites list. Perhaps someone on here knows the URL. As a newly qualified driver, your best bet is to limit yourself to choices up to Group 5 or 6 - anything higher and you're likely to be badly stung.
As far as I remember, the Seat Ibiza PD 100 is Group 5/6 or so. Plenty of poke in that engine, nice handling, good looking car as well. The Ibiza is a bit bigger than the Clio but has just as much street cred if not more. I'd suggest the Skoda Fabia with the same engine, but I'm guessing the badge wouldn't float your boat? Plus, you should be able to get a 2 year old used Ibiza for well under your budget, which means being able to get a decent one. Actually, even a 2 year old Ford Focus would be within budget for you, and most versions of that aren't too hard on the wallet WRT insurance.
www.confused.com is worth a look for an insurance quote as they try to get the best possible from over 90% of insurance providers. www.elephant.co.uk has a "bonus accelerator", whereby if you pay for a 10 month premium they allow you a full year's no-claims, assuming no claims of course!
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmmm, doughnuts
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Lee
Sorry to keep going on, but why not just keep the Ka for another 12 months? When you've got a year's driving experience you could then get the Clio 182, if thats what you still want in 12 months time. A year seems a long time when you are young, but I really do think a little caution would be sensible.
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I wouldn't buy a new car yet! Many inexperienced drivers have a few dents in their first year of motoring. You'd be better off with something older to start with. I not talking old bangers, but a 3-5 year old car would do you fine for a year or so. You'll be less than happy if you scratch a £14,000 car in the first month of ownership.
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I was in a similar position, with a smaller budget, a little over a year ago. After a lot of web-based car hunting I chose a Skoda Fabia via ukcarbroker (they no longer deal in Skodas). I say web-based car hunting because it's hard to visit dealers when you don't already have access to a vehicle. I wouldn't have ordered a particular car without test driving one first though.
I could probably have found more car for the same money if I'd watched the bargains on this site for a few more months, but I've no regrets about my choice. I didn't have cause to set foot in a garage between buying the car and taking it for its first service.
I have had a Clio as a hire car. Hire companies don't like new drivers but this was possible because I was insured through my employer. I took an instant dislike to it it felt very cramped and I couldn't find a comfortable driving position. It also seemed very cheap and tacky. Of course these aren't issues for you if you've already tried one and like it.
My car is only a 1.4 68 bhp model but I find this to be adequate. It's perfectly capable of keeping up with the motorway traffic and I really don't think I'd want anything more powerful for a first car. I did wonder whether it would be able to accelerate out of trouble should the need arise. The one time I needed to put this to the test it proved to be up to the job, and I learned my lesson about rash overtaking.
On the new v used debate, I used to think anyone who bought a new car was insane as they depreciate horribly in the first year or so. Then I started to look at what was available and discovered that supermini-sized cars are popular and there aren't many cheap nearly new ones to be had. Therefore you don't save a lot by buying one a year old. Another consideration is that a car that's cheapish new doesn't have far to fall in terms of value. The economics are different when you choose a car a size or two bigger. I'd guess the same applies when you go for souped-up versions of superminis. Is there really such a thing as a £13,000 Clio? That sort of money ought to be taking you safely into the next class up.
I've had no prangs but have had a couple of minor parking scratches. You do relax more after the first one!
confused.com is useful for insurance quotes but in my first two years I haven't been able to beat the price from Frizzell, also known as Liverpool Victoria. They also offer a better level of cover than their competitors. My policy includes business use and third party cover for driving other people's cars. These are by no means universal.
I've no idea whether you'll find any of my nocturnal ramblings useful but I hope some of this will help. Given your choice of car, I suspect your outlook is somewhat different from mine. Do take a good look around before settling on a car. The choice really is immense. There's plenty of info on this site but take a look at www.whatcar.com which now has video reviews of some models.
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All sensible advice here - just a thought on your comment on the Mini being over-priced. I'd agree at ticket price but I think it will hold its value an awful lot better than a hot Clio - welcome to the world of agonising about depreciation and "whole life" costs....
On second toughts - sod it - go for what you want. Wish I was 25 again with the cash to afford a car that gave me thrills!
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Get a 2001-plate Civic Type-R - currently available with around 27K miles at £12500. Honda reliability and much lower depreciation that any Renault.
Andy
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Wow, more great advice thanks.
You have all certainly got me thinking now. I did consider adding myself to the other halfs insurance to drive the KA and that way i could build up some experience.
I quite like Seat cars so that's a possibility but i'll leave the Skoda well alone thanks!
Civic Type-R, i really like aswell but thats a little out of reach for me because the insurance is more than a Clio's.
I'll have to think long and hard about this, as it's a big decision.
Thanks to eveeryone who replied, your all very clued up!
You've all helped me enormously.
Thanks.
Lee.
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Feel free to reject the Skoda because it doesn't suit your street cred. Don't reject it for any other reason!
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Feel free to reject the Skoda because it doesn't suit your street cred. Don't reject it for any other reason!
Is street cred still an issue with Skodas? I thought that was last century.
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Ooops! sorry have i stirred a hornets nest regards the Skoda!!
It is a VW after all ( so i've read, i think)
Finally, i think i've decided to get a 182 now. My main reasons are because;
(A). I want that car- a lot!
(B). I'll be taking it easy in it and the Mrs will be probably driving it 90% of the time untill i have passed my Pass Plus and IAM courses.
(C) I can afford it!
I realise i'll have to play safe with it for a while but i'm confident i'll do ok.
Now i promise not to bash the Skoda image again :)
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Now i promise not to bash the Skoda image again :)
You may wish to visit www.briskoda.net
not to mention
www.skoda.co.uk/skoda3g/content/microsites/fabiavr...m
It is a VW after all
Yes. See www.volkswagen.de/home_e/konzern/konzern.htm
Incidentally, the Skoda Fabia shares a designer with the Bentley Continental.
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(C) I can afford it!
But if you cannot afford to insure the 182 in your name and you are going to be the main driver, then you cannot really afford a 182.
As for the probation period you will not realise how long that two years feels. Two speeding tickets and you're back at the bus stop.
How about a Mini Cooper to start off with for a year then a Cooper S or Clio 182. I was in a similar position to you and could get fully comp insurance for £750 for a Cooper from day one
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Hi
What is the iam course
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(iam not a mechanic)
Martin Winters
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Hi What is the iam course
www.iam.org.uk/
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lee dont listen to the band of doo gooders with their - take it easy, drive a 1.0 slow tank.
Listen Lee, go buy yourself a 182 or sometihng similar. Have fun, drive hard, drive fast, enjoy it.
What ever happened to driving wth enjoyment.
Get you foot down on a 182 and you will love every minute. Only thing with them is the head rooms bad.
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Thanks daveyK_UK for that, made me chuckle!
Thought i\'d update you all and say today i ordered a Clio182 : )
I can hear you all now, Lee, what have you done you stupid little man!!
You only live once guys and it\'s the car i want. It\'s debatable if i will be the main driver really anyway as my fiance will probably drive it just as much as myself.
Anyway got a cracking deal in my opinion so i\'m pretty happy.
Thanks again all for all your advice-even though i ignored most of it!
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Listen Lee, go buy yourself a 182 or sometihng similar. Have fun, drive hard, drive fast, enjoy it.
This is quite possibly the single most irreponsible peice of advice I have ever had the misfortune to read in the backroom.
You are telling a guy with zero real-world driving experience outside of a driving school car to buy a 182bhp hot hatchback, and 'drive hard, drive fast'?
You only live once - and you may not live very longer if you start driving high powered cars hard with no experience and no idea how to handle such a car!
The IAM are great but they won't teach you to drive a performance car.
I hope you enjoy your car Lee, but if you do have the inevitable accident, I hope you don't involve other motorists. You should have got a nice 1.4 Sport until you had enough experience to handle a performance car.
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>The IAM are great but they won't teach you to drive a performance car.
Absolutely right - but it is a recognised "entry point" into any of the following:-
www.cadence.uk.com/index.htm
www.high-performance-course.co.uk/faq.htm
www.ridedrive.co.uk/
Who will all teach "proper" driving.
I leave it the BR to assess whether a young man insuring a Hot Hatch in somebody else's name would be be receptive to expert advice?
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I hope you enjoy your car Lee, but if you do have the inevitable accident, I hope you don't involve other motorists.
Excuse me, sorry had to pull you up on this rather harsh comment
I will enloy my car thanks and i will drive with responsibility.
I realise what your saying but in my opinion i would be as likely to have a accident in a 1.4 Sport IF i drove recklessly.
Accidents happen to the best of drivers, fact of life but i for one know i'll be a respectful and careful driver and AND not some sort of lunatic.
I never said the drive hard/fast comment, i'll only drive within my means ie: not fast/hard!
As i said before also i'll be buying the car but the wife to be will probably use it more than myself.
Apoligies if this is taken the wrong way, it was'nt meant to offend anyone, just needed to clear a few points up.
Lee.
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Lee - Dont take offence. I think people are trying to say that for an inexperienced driver this car can get you into trouble quickly, very quickly. As long as you appreciate that, realise the huge potential of this vehicle, and the limitations of your experience you will be fine.
I suggest you take it out on a track day at some stage after its run in. (still take care tho mate - you wont be insured if you total it)
I have saved you a spot on the "trash renault thread" but fully expect you wont need it. Enjoy
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