[James - Junior Racer]

So I've just finished doing my main GCSE exams. I've now got a 8week gap before heading off for college.
The plan is, to work as much as I can for when I turn 17 in December.
I've gone to the postoffice, got my forms to apply for my provisional. Which I'll send off asap.
Even started to look at cars! With 6 months to go, I should have plenty of time.
Obviously I'm looking at something small, Fiesta or similar. Done some research and a mark 3 looks alright as a good 1st motor.
Anything, I should steer clear off?
I've looked at Ghia models, is there more likely to be things going wrong on them?

thanks for your help in advance!
James

 

[McLaren]

FORD FIESTA MK3!!!!

ahem... I think they are quite good really... Best beginner car

, I mean Nova's are cool but are getting a bit old now...

Yeah, so mk3 Festa then. 1.0 and 1.1 are ****e, stay clear. More puff in a lawn mower. Go for the 1.3 or (like mine) 1.3 Ghia. For £1k you could pick up a nice mint Ghia on an L/M/N plate which has electric windows, central locking and alarm 'n' immobaliser. Plus they do some kickass metallic paint jobs... (mine changes colour in the light).

Stay clear of Citroen AX's, Mini's, Nova's (just a bit too old for a 1st car), any kind of Fiat, Citroen or Peugeot (too expensive to repair, and rust too much).

Basically, don't spend more than £1k on your first car. Even if you don't crash it, some coffin dodger will probably find it and that's the end of your no claims...

Also, don't spend less than £1k on your first car. People will just take the piss...

Hope this helps, if you want to take a Fiesta out for a spin... you're not doing it in mine! But you can come out for a ride in it at Wolves or Pendle if I drive up for the Porsche thing...

Lotus

 

[James - Junior Racer]

Top Man!
I've worked out... if i work 9-5, 5days a week for 8 weeks on £4 an hour. I could get something around £1440 (jus a rough estimate).

Insuring the darn thing is going to be a problem, from the quotes I've been given it'll cost me £50 more to run a 1.3 petrol or 1.8 diesel over the 1.1 (petrol). I'll have to look at MPG, I've heard people get 55miles out of a gallon of diesel.

A Ghia would obviously be a nice option to have, seem to be plenty of 5doors about. Which I wouldn't mind, fit more people in!

A friend suggested a Pug 106 diesel, 1.5 I think. Galvanised body.
I'd already dismissed the Nova, bit of an annoying boy racer image with them.

So, a grand will do it…
Thanks for your help!
Might take up that offer Lotus!

How about Teaching agencies for learning to drive? Should I go for one of the national companies… the AA, BSM etc? Guess it's all part of shopping around again.

Thanks again,
James

 

[McLaren]

I started off with the AA but the instructor was a tosser and kept taking the piss if I screwed up. Not very confidence inspiring. I'm not suggesting that this is the behavior of all AA staff, just the tosser that taught me.

Anyway, in the end I got rid of him and picked up a privateer who was a friend of my family. He was much better and sorted me out proper for my test.

Diesel MPG sounds good but then engine does not. If you are worried about your image, the nessicary earplugs needed when operating vintage diesels such as those above definatly do not help when out sharking for ladies.

In the 3-door/5-door debate, I've had one of each, and if you don't want to keep getting in and out to let passengers enter and exit 5-door is the bet. Also better for drive-by shootings as you can have two people aiming out of either side of the car. Similarly flash kidnappings are impossible if you have to move the seat forward... I guess you could use the boot for that though...

Anyway... If you plan to 'pimp your ride' then by all means 3-door is the way to go. It gives the apperance of a short wheelbase 'coupe' version, and besides, no-one makes side skirts for 5-door cars...

Sorted. Anything else?

Lotus

 

[James - Junior Racer]

Thanks for the info about the instructors. Think i might rope my dad in for a lil help tooo!
I've got a mate's mum, whos a driving instructor - maybe that could be a option.
Yeh, the oil burner doesn't seem that great on the image point of view and I guess I dont want to be rejected from my group of friends the instant i fire it up. Although, i could consider lining the under side of the bonnet with egg boxes to reduce the noice....hhhmmmm, maybe not.
I'm still going for a 5door, that way I've got a nice practical car that doesn't need moding at all. One less worry. Doing Drive-by shootings might not be needed at first, but with living in Burnley, u never know.

Think I'm going to try and jump on my mum's insurance as a named driver.
Anyone else any suggestions?
Not sure which is a better place to look for a 1st car. Either Trade or Private? Many of the cars I'm looking at are part-ex's....

James

 

[McLaren]

Private tends to be cheaper by about £200 - £300, which is the difference between a good'un and a ****ter sometimes. However, Trade sometimes means guarentees and warrentys, which are good. Depends really on the car in question.

Named driver is a good idea, that's what I'm doing. It's significantly cheaper, up to £2k difference!!! I had quotes of up to £3k by my self, and final quote was £1k on my mum's policy. Unfortunatly, you don't pick up years no claims bonus', which kind of sucks 'cos all of a sudden your payments will go up a lot when you have to start going your own way. However, some companies will recognize that you have been a named driver on another policy for several years and give you maybe one or two years no claims bonus when you go your own way, which is nice really... I'm with Direct Line btw... stay clear of Tesco's, they're rubbish.

Driving instructor wise, I'd say always go for a bloke not a bird (unless she's so fit it's worth not learing to drive). Firstly, you will need less lessons on average, Fact. Secondly, you won't half be distracted when she shows you how to use the gear stick. Thirdy, reversing is on the driving test, therefore she would have to teach you it...

Anyway, hope all this advice helps somewhat... I will try to stop writing essays soon...

Lotus

 

[The Muffin Man]

Just another pointer......get studying for the theory test as earlier as you can. The better you're understanding of that is, the easier the theory test will be. Seems to me a lot of ppl underestimate the theory and end up having to takie it two or three times......and you can't take your practical test til you've passed the theory!

Also, when you do eventually pass.......please tell us all where you'll be driving, so we know which roads to avoid

 

[GRAH1]

James my son paul has a 106 petrol sat up here doing nothing it needs a starter motor ,but otherwise ok .As he he off to Australia shortly I cant see he will want to keep it .If your intrested it will be cheap and chearfull anda good project to get your teeth into

 

[Swissracer]

Boring OLD FART alert!!!

Having a 'Ghia' tag heaps a little on the insurance - worth a thought?

Easier to get yourself a smart looker and add the badge!

Used to do that alot back in the days of Ford Cortina GT and 1600Es (yep! I really AM that old.
In those days it was out with the gearbox, in with a Corsair 2000 one, Rostyle wheels (chrome of course!), lowered suspension and hours of polishing

Work was done on weekends between footie and the pub, with your mates helping out. Didn't always work well - changed to new Rostyles one day with each of us doing one wheel and mucking about. On the way out clubbing that evening it started to feel odd to steer - 'bugger, I will sort it out tomorrow" says I, about 5 mins before the front offside wheel fell off

One of us forgot to do up the wheel nuts!

 

[Intergrali]

dont go thru AA/RAC their roughly 3-4squid more expensive but they will book your test(s) for you.
I didnt go thru aa/rac I had a local instructor teach me. But i had to book my test, theory test? well booked mine on thursday sat it the next tuesday and passed, cd's do help so I guess you might be able to borrow them.

er, get a Fezzie mk3.5

the 1.4Si looks well good and come slightly better equipped than the mk3. Although it maybe more to insure.

Er Lotus, 1k on insurance? mines only 600!

Oh and it's never going to go fast so you'll want noise... something like mine, I should be coming upto pendle in my mk4 with the extra equipment I have bought so you can have a listen.. I'm sure I could drown out nick's 6x9's

Inte

 

[McLaren]

Swiss, swiss, swiss... All that time and effort and I bet you still had the old standard cars racing past you... hehe

Just remember kids, without a £600 set of coilovers, any lowering modification will worsen your ride and handling... The serious tramlining and scrubbing problems that you can suffer are not made up for by a 2 inch drop in the CoG. Plus, exhausts are that far off the ground for a reason...

Chrome wheels? Back in the day they may have looked cool, and may not have been stolen within a night, however, unfortunatly neither are true today... Sort yourself some magnesium rally specials if you have to... but my god they won't make a difference.

Screw it, don't take my advice, mod your cars... nothing gives me more pleasure than flying past a modded Saxo that thought it could outrun me. 'Now see who can drift'...

Noise... exactly as you said Rob. Only used to drown out a ****e engine. Anyone with loud music obviuosly, therefore, has a ****e car. Sort it out, play your engine sound with pride (that does not include 2 strokes, who just shouldn't be on the road).

That's all for now. Remember, pimps aren't cool.

Lotus

 

[Intergrali]

you forget one thing my son...

my car is faster than yours!!

anyway I dont want chrome wheels... I want chrome spinners 20" with coilovers, blacked out windows.. pimpin it

anyway soon as I get another backbox should be good.

 

[James - Junior Racer]

Thanks for your Advice and suggestions chaps!
Appreciate it

Started a bit of revision on theory, bit a bit of it before (cycling efficiency, not sure how to spell that)
I hope to be quite a safe driver, 6 points in u're 1st two years and you loose you licence! Don't want that.
Graham, thanks for the offer - will try and talk to you when I can.

Swiss, could be a good idea. I'll get on the look out for some V8 badges!

worth a go. Like you, I like messing around with things, (should see the state of my PC speakers at the moment...) chrome wheels sound rather nice too!
As for Lotus and Inte's insurance, that'll be because of location I guess. You dont get many thieves from Brixton in Wales

only joking!

The mark 3.5, is that the one with the more rounded bumpers? does look nice too.
Don't want to spend too much on a first car, I've heard too many stories of people's 1st motors being ran over my landrovers, postvans, etc...
Noise, glad you didnt suggest a rumbly exhaust, how annoying are those when you're in the car for more than a hour. Sound system goood though

Cheers lotus, too, for your help!

Thanks again for your help
James

just realised.. this car... the Convini C6W is out of my budget...

those who know me, will smile at the thought!

 

[Intergrali]

yeah one with rounded bumpers..

like I say I'm on the lookout for a new 4" back box for mine.

lotus obviously lives near scallyville

Inte

 

[LMP]

I was after a fiat, if they own everyone they must be doing something right.

Rules I'm gonna follow:

1) the car works
2) the insurance isnt deadly
3) thats it

That should be allright.............

James, I don't suppose you went to the Motor Show and did the BSM thing did you?

I did, I'm proud i didnt stall it

They should of had a bigger course where we change gear though.

 

[Intergrali]

couldnt change gear? lol that means you didnt get anywhere near 4k nevermind 5 an half! (dont ask very funny at the time tho)

Mate I was after a Lancia but the one I wanted was insurance group er 20 same as a ferrari actually so that was that plan screwed so I got a 1.25 mk4 fiesta instead, absolutely cracking car, loves to be revved hard.

 

[James - Junior Racer]

Group 20! eek!

LMP, i missed the motor show this year

But i do aways try to go the Motorsport show. I tend to enjoy it more.
A good set of rules, you've got there. Think I'll make sure my motor fits all them.

oo Inte, looked at a Mk3 with the roundy bumpers today

a 3.5 as u refer to them...

James

 

[McLaren]

Mk3 facelift, actually...

Lotus

 

[taxi]

Pug 306 may be worth a look, too. Prices aren't too bad, and the 1.4 and 1.4i go reasonably well (better than a 1.3 Fiesta anyway!). My brother's got a 306 he's owned for over 5 yrs and it's still going strong. Insurance should be similar to the ford, but ALWAYS shop around for quotes.

QUOTE Just remember kids, without a £600 set of coilovers, any lowering modification will worsen your ride and handling... The serious tramlining and scrubbing problems that you can suffer are not made up for by a 2 inch drop in the CoG. Plus, exhausts are that far off the ground for a reason...

Not necessarily true, but use properly specified kit and get your tracking and alignment set afterwards.

Best of luck James

Rob

 

[Difflock]

What's wrong with a rumbly exhaust then?

James, did you say that the diesel Fester is a 1.8? Well, forgetting the trractor noise for a minute what about the performance? I mean the Fester is a small car and a 1.8 diesel engine should have enough torque to be interesting and would surely be comparable to a 1.3 petrol (before it's tuned). Also I bet the diesel's performance wouldn't suffer as much as the petrol once you get 3 passengers in it.

Servicing costs? Well a diesel doesn't need spark plugs! Just oil & filter, with a fuel filter change every so often I'd expect. The Maestro 2.0 diesel Turbo we had requires a cambelt change every 60,000 miles, so if you do end up looking at a diesel check the mileage; is it for sale ;coz the belt needs changing (Maestro belt was a mahoosive expensive job (£300) with the engine in the car).

Give GRAH1 a call. That 106 might just be the ticket, despite it being French

You may want to book your instructor for an hour or so after passing your test so you can go on a motorway

Most of all, enjoy your motoring! I know this may mean driving very sedately for your first year, but unfortunately these days getting nicked in those first twelve months can be bad news. Actually getting nicked when you've been driving for years ain't too good either! The govt. want society to look upon the errant motorist as a leper just for driving spiritedly it seems (Right off my soapbox now!)

Mark.