Whats A Good First Car???

[Lachie]

G'day guys,

I'm going to start saving up for my first car. I'm sixteen years of age at the moment so I thought it would be a good idea to start saving now for a first car rather than leaving it till last minute. Anyways what would be a great first car?

[kocho]

Cost is the biggest factor, in my opinion. The more money you have, the safer the car. Most likely, of course.

[Lachie]

Originally Posted by kocho

Cost is the biggest factor, in my opinion. The more money you have, the safer the car. Most likely, of course.

Too true. You get what you pay for.

[Ruger]

I had an ea falcon, 5 speed all the gear
wrapped it around a pole at about 60 walked away without a scratch, great car!

[GS608]

for your first car go something cheap but not too nasty, im 16 and i have a triton ute. it was good value, i'm planning on keeping it through my p's (never get in any trouble in that thing) and then grabbing an xr8 or xr6t when i get my opens as they'll be within my price range then.

i wouldn't go spend big bucks on a car that is your first car because you wont be able to get any type of v8 or turbo (if your interested in those) so just get a little 4cyl and save up for a decent 2nd car!

[Ryan]

My first car was a TE Corty, and it was brilliant to learn the basics of driving in. Still have it too.

Haven't driven it for about 4 years though.

I would suggest something like a Corolla or Laser.

[Steffo]

The newest car you can afford... obviously with a bit of consideration...

if the options were like...

1998 Daewoo Cielo, 100,000km, $3000

or

1994 Ford Laser LXi, 100,000km, $3000 then you get the Laser... for an example.

But yeah, my personal rule is newer is better. With the exception of stuff like Kia, Daewoo, Hyundai etc.

[Lachie]

Thanks guys with the great feedback! What do I look for in a second-hand car?

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Lachie

Thanks guys with the great feedback! What do I look for in a second-hand car?

Rust, Ks (Though it's not really necessary), service history etc.

That's all I can think of.

It doesn't have to be perfect, but as mechanically functional as possible.

I've had mates buy cars for $500, and well you know the saying "You only get what you pay for".

Personally I would spend anywhere from $2000 to $3000 for a first car.

[kocho]

Originally Posted by Steffo

The newest car you can afford... obviously with a bit of consideration...

if the options were like...

1998 Daewoo Cielo, 100,000km, $3000

or

1994 Ford Laser LXi, 100,000km, $3000 then you get the Laser... for an example.

But yeah, my personal rule is newer is better. With the exception of stuff like Kia, Daewoo, Hyundai etc.

Personally, I'd go with the Cielo. I read in a recent test they did for typical P plate cars, this came out the best for small cars.

Thats just me.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by kocho

Personally, I'd go with the Cielo. I read in a recent test they did for typical P plate cars, this came out the best for small cars.

Thats just me.

Best compared to what? Thanks but no thanks. I've seen Daewoo crapness working in person. How can you trust a car from a brand who's newest example in that class (Barina) gets a 2 star NCAP rating? A 90s car from them is asking to die in a 30km/h crash.

[jweb]

Depends what you have to spend of course but the best first hand cars,this is arguable of course are below in no particular order:

Ford mondeo(old model of course )
Ford laser
Mazda 323 etc
Mazda 121
Mistubishi magna
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan blue bird
nissan maxima
Honda civic
Toyota starlet
Toyota Corolla
Holden Barina(believe it or not)
Honda integra(if you can afford it,More of a P plate car)
Honda Prelude(if you can afford it,more of a P plate car.
Honda Accord
Subaru liberty etc

The cars above are the main cars that are bought by L platers,excluding a few and there are some missing ie falcon and commodore,Most believe they are too big for a first car,so i didnt include them.

[Lachie]

I'd prefer a Ford!

[falzoony]

I had an EL and I loved it. My dad never let me spend a cent on it and now that I look back I'm glad I didn't. But I've mad up with the AU.
It all depends how much you wanna spend and not just on the cars initial cost but on the on-goings, fuel, rego, insurance.

[Jock260]

i reckon XD-XF, losts of parts, very reliable, easy to drive, dont get much attention, and very easy to fix.

[savagE]

XE, Get a worked 250 and 3.23 gears and a T5 and ya set!

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by savagE

XE, Get a worked 250 and 3.23 gears and a T5 and ya set!

Ummmm maybe not such a good idea for someone who's on their Ls.

You got to learn to walk first, before you can run. :

[savagE]

Serious contribution.

Small cars are cheapest, simple as that.
I had an old FWD 85 Gemini which I still reckon was a battler. A good learners car.
Mazda 323.
Anything toyota - ESPECIALLY old corollas and Corona's. Maybe ever a Crown if you can find one.

[XW 393]

focus ??

[Lachie]

Falcon, Fairlane & LTD, and older cars like Xws and Xys.

[MITCHAY]

I had a 1989 TX5 Ghia 5sd for my first car whilst I saved up for a better car. It was a good car and I still miss it in some ways even though my new car is faster, safer, and more reliable.

[XW 393]

Believe me if it is your first car and you are wanting an XW or XY you may have missed the boat mate, your best bet would be an FC LTD I reckon, awesome cruise car.

[XW 393]

I used to have a red FC LTD, I loved it check the link out mate.

FC LTD $5000

[Deadman]

In all honesty - for the $ second hand, you can't go past a Magna. Whatever your price range, you'll find a Magna that will be competitive value for money. Space, size, fuel ecomomy, reliability, decent performance, good features for the $, cheap to insure and repair/serivce, and a bargain second hand.

Was my first car, and actually out of all the cars I've owned, it was my favourite. I still miss it.

[Lachie]

So far, I have got my eye on a

FALCON, XLS AU UTILITY
FALCON, Futura BA SEDAN
FALCON XH UTILITY
FALCON, GLi XH II VAN
FALCON, XT BA SEDAN

[falzoony]

is the au series 1,2 or3?

[uranium_death]

If a Falcon is what ye want, I would think an EL or AU would be the go, but you've got to also know what is the max kays you want, the cash you wanna spend etc.

Also depends how long you want to keep it. Since it will be your first car, it may not pay to go for anything too grand as accidents can happen.

If you plan to keep the car for ages, a newer car is a good idea. IF you only want the car for 4-5 years, an EL would be a good go. But once again, you need to know exactly what you want in a vehicle.

[XR8-260]

toyota corolla with 4AGE engine

[kocho]

Ba Ford Futura

I'm on my P's and I've got one. Great car and in 2 years they'll be down to... 8k - 12k you'd suspect? Well worth it.

[mik]

how about an ex taxi there are some reosonable ones around for little money and it gets you into a modern car with abs and air bag (good for a 1st car) and can park it any were and not worry too much about the car park dents and it will probably be on gas