The Student Room Group

Looking to buy a first car.

Hello everyone,

I would like to ask your opinion on buying a first car for a max budget £2,000 and nothing bigger than 1.4l.

I was already looking at few cars like Ibiza or Punto. Although a car that really catches my attention is a mini hatchback one in either blue or black.

I'd accept any suggestions of something that will be z really good as a first runner to part-time work and university.

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Reply 1
Also I would like to hear your opinion regarding mini one when being a male.
Anecdotal. A friend had a Mini. It went through a period of lots of technical problems, including various DPF issues despite him using it on the motorway a lot. He sold it after running out of patience with it.
Reply 3
Original post by Dunnig Kruger
Anecdotal. A friend had a Mini. It went through a period of lots of technical problems, including various DPF issues despite him using it on the motorway a lot. He sold it after running out of patience with it.

Was thinking of getting a mini as they seem lovely to drive but the issue you listed feels like it would be a pain, any cars you suggest that I could look into?
VW Golf, 1.4L Petrol. Mark 5. Can’t go wrong.
Original post by Dooxed
Was thinking of getting a mini as they seem lovely to drive but the issue you listed feels like it would be a pain, any cars you suggest that I could look into?

Yeah don't get a mini. Get a VW like the guy above suggests
Original post by Dunnig Kruger
Anecdotal. A friend had a Mini. It went through a period of lots of technical problems, including various DPF issues despite him using it on the motorway a lot. He sold it after running out of patience with it.

My boss has said basically the same about the BMW ones after trading in a few, lots of weird issues that even Mini 'specialists' were at a loss with.
Reply 7
The problem is that I don't feel like golf is my cup of tea if you get what I'm saying, also thanks for the feedback regarding the mini as I won't consider it.

Any other car suggestions or is golf one of the most reliable as first one?
VW Polo 1.2l. Petrol. Can’t go wrong.
Original post by Dooxed
The problem is that I don't feel like golf is my cup of tea if you get what I'm saying, also thanks for the feedback regarding the mini as I won't consider it.

Any other car suggestions or is golf one of the most reliable as first one?

Whilst they are seriously good cars and recommendations what are you looking for in your first car?
Reply 10
Original post by Blooper859
Whilst they are seriously good cars and recommendations what are you looking for in your first car?

Looking for it to be quiet reputable as it should last me for at least 3/4 years without falling into dust and something that wouldn't have expensive parts in case fix is needed.
Original post by Dooxed
Looking for it to be quiet reputable as it should last me for at least 3/4 years without falling into dust and something that wouldn't have expensive parts in case fix is needed.

Ok then go with the polo or golf, they are a very reputable car brand (VW), the parts are cheap as they are so common, and a lot of German cars share parts now including SEAT (Ibiza) as they are owned by Volkswagen and I seen you mentioned them. So you’ll like the Polo and Golf if you like Ibiza. However in my opinion the Golf is the better car.
Reply 12
Original post by Blooper859
Ok then go with the polo or golf, they are a very reputable car brand (VW), the parts are cheap as they are so common, and a lot of German cars share parts now including SEAT (Ibiza) as they are owned by Volkswagen and I seen you mentioned them. So you’ll like the Polo and Golf if you like Ibiza. However in my opinion the Golf is the better car.

Thanks a lot man, haven't really took golf or polo that much into consideration but I think I've made up my top 3 car's I'll deffo look into that being an polo, golf and Ibiza.
Original post by Dooxed
Thanks a lot man, haven't really took golf or polo that much into consideration but I think I've made up my top 3 car's I'll deffo look into that being an polo, golf and Ibiza.

Any more questions feel free to ask me, in terms of a car lasting you any of those 3 should , well I know for sure golf and polo will, with the right treatment they’ll see the high end of 100k miles provides you change the timing belt periodically and keep the oil checked etc etc.
Reply 14
Toyota Yaris 1.4L.
Original post by U33B
Toyota Yaris 1.4L.

This guys being sarcastic.
Minis are incredibly expensive to insure as a new driver and are very expensive to fix when something goes wrong. You'd be extremely extremely lucky to get a mini with no problems under £2k
Reply 17
Original post by Blooper859
This guys being sarcastic.

Yo don`t diss Toyotas man. My uncle had a Toyota corolla for 14 years and he drove that beast everywhere. And in that time, he never had any major problems. He has now got a new Toyota corolla and I have a feeling he will continue to have it for another 14 years. They can go on for ages. Very reliable cars.
Original post by U33B
Yo don`t diss Toyotas man. My uncle had a Toyota corolla for 14 years and he drove that beast everywhere. And in that time, he never had any major problems. He has now got a new Toyota corolla and I have a feeling he will continue to have it for another 14 years. They can go on for ages. Very reliable cars.

Do you mean he got a Toyota Yaris?
Reply 19
Original post by Blooper859
Do you mean he got a Toyota Yaris?

Lol I just said he had a Toyota Corolla. lol... My auntie did have a Yaris but then sold it.

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