I wouldn't buy a car older than 1990 if I weren't willing to work on it. Especially pre-70. About anything that you could buy on a budget from back then would have to be a project. My recommendation? Something cheap and easy to fix, relatively safe, and something that doesn't hold too much sentimental value to you, because you're probably gonna wreck it.
yes true, but the grand am needed more servicing and money than my crown victoria. the grand ams were known for many issues and flaws with the vehicle. they are quite absurdly unreliable. my crown victoria is widely loved by the police, taxi cab companies, and as general fleet cars. never known for many issues and the police love them because one of those cars can take a frigginj good beating, and drive you and all 6 of you home, no matter the distance. reputation is the best way to go with used cars. ive spent 200$ on "legitimate service." my brother has spent almost 4000$ on his grand am. and no matter what, consumable or not, the service charges all come out of your pocket. yes tires are consumable. i still paid 276$ for two tires balanced and installed.
In 2013, I spent about $3700 on service and repair for my then 17 year old car (excl. consumables). In 2014, I serviced and repaired it myself and spent a grand total of $680. Money spent is not proportional to reliability. Good talk.
Ridiculously expensive for a first timer to insure. Smallest engine is still considered large for a young driver and can result in young drivers insurance of £4000 easy.
Don't get anything with displacement over 1.5 and nothing RWD, to not wrap yourself around a tree preferably a late 90's euro/japan hatchback
I would recommend an Audi starting with the mid-80s models. Like the 80, A3, A4. Reason: they do not rust (more than cosmetic issues) 'cause their whole body is galvanized. Even BMW and Mercedes until the mid-2000s tend to rust really badly, I think it's even worse with cheaper cars. Got a 1999 A4 1.9TDI 110hp version myself (first car). I simply love that car. Has enough power (more than you'd expect from 110hp), good (safe as well as sportive) handling, good design, enough room and is comfortable -> great for long distance (I drive a 170km every day in it). Idk about UK, but i'd stay away from the TDI though if you're not really driving alot (costs quite much in tax here in Germany). Keep an eye on the small engine versions, like 1.6(T) or 1.8(T). Here you can get ones in really good condition for very reasonable prices. The 80 should be even cheaper, looks more oldschool and does not have as nice interior, but still a very nice car.
I'll just say that my MGB was £2000, and insurance is around half that. It is not exactly a perfect example, but it passed it's MOT with no advisories. I was also looking at a Z3 and an MX5, again insurance was around £1200 (fully comp).
Don't bash me but...1st gen focus great handling, kinda small for parking but plenty of room inside for friends...pretty decent stock stereo imo...slow... so pretty safe...but It'll get boring after 1-2 years...only downside. And since you are in Britain they should be on the street like rats...so pretty cheap.
My dad's ZX5 SE can spin both front tires from a stop pretty easily. It's surprisingly quick. I don't think it's quite as fast as my car however. Edit-Handles like it's on rails. Super tight steering.
Even my first car, a Toyota Yaris with 65PS, could do that Just depends on how much you push the pedal to the metal.
Dad has one. Great little car. They aren't boring at all. Handle like a go-kart, fast enough IMO, and yeah. Great first car. My first is an Escort, which is an essentially an older Focus. - - - Updated - - - Well, my dad's car can smoke through first if you really feel like it.
I bet not. Even the 2.0 SPI my dad's has is more than enough. Yours has the Zetec, which has 20 more hp. I bet even my Escort can go quite quick when prodded. 1.9 CVH, 88 hp.
Huh. Surprised. We had an 01 Escort before (blew a rod...) and that thing could barely spin the tires in the wet.
