IE, brand new or pre reg:
Mini size.
I'm looking to buy a car for my 17 year old niece as a present for here uni run from her rented accommodation.
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Have you tried brokers? I had a completely hassle free experience with uknewcars.com, others speak highly of drivethedeal.com.
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There's a huge choice, is there any issue that might narrow it down a bit, aircon, boot size, and types of brand (would she drive a kia or hyundai?)
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I wish I was your niece.
"Would she drive a Kia or a Hyundai"
She's a 17 year old student being given a gift.... I would imagine she'll drive what she's given.
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Remember to take depreciation into account, what's cheapest to buy now may have cost you more when you come to trade the car in.
Get something like a Polo which will hold it's value.
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Kia Picanto or Rio "Zapp" models are very good value for money and well equipped (The Rio comes with aircon as standard). Dealers will not offer much offer much off but you might find a broker that will discount a bit. Both cars look good as well
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I agree with Gan that Picanto would be good but the crash tests put me off them, same with the Panda. How about Hyundai Getz with aircon for £5999 or the Mitsubishi Colt (not sure about the prices but they were £6k).
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thank you all - i want the car to be safe as well and i never thought about the M Colt - will hunt for prices. Thanks again.
BTW - brand new Ford ka, pas, abs, twin air bags, 5k and 3 yrs gurantee - what do you think against the Colt?
THANKS
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Regarding safety,
the Ka, Panda and Picanto are all NCAP 3 star
(Panda slightly better than Ka and Picanto)
Colt & Citroen C1 are NCAP 4 star
Citroen C1 gets 69% for front impact, 78% for side impact
Colt gets 56% for front, 72% for side
C1 available for about £5837 from drive the deal.
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been said a million times but 17 years old and new car do not go together buy her a £1000 car from a trusted source and give her an iou for an upgrade in 12 months if she keeps her nose clean
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been said a million times but 17 years old and new car do not go together
>>
Now been said 1,000,001 times.
A student is paying the insurance for three years??
A cheaper car, three years insurance and recovery Insurance would IMO be a better present.
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from a trusted source
That's the tricky bit though - who do you trust?
And anyway, if the car's, what, 7-8yrs+ old, who knows what's about to go wrong with it? It's difficult trying to fault find and organise repairs if the niece is 200 miles away at Uni.
You've also got dubious crash protection, no ABS etc etc.
If you buy new you've got 3 yrs w'tee, probably 3 yrs breakdown cover., and no MOT worries. All the car should need is little more than an annual oil change. That'll see someone through their 3 yrs at Uni.
£1000 cars are great for lads who know what they're doing mechanically and can get the bus to work if the car's not going that day.
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Push bike and helmet? Or bus maybe?
Don't know of the area but you sure a car at this stage worthwhile. When I studied I knew of people with cars parked up for most of the time. Students also like to "party" so they cannot drive the next day anyway so there will always have to be an alternative mode of transport.
When you think of the insurance (my step-son passed his driving test at 18.... and then bought an old Panda 4x4... insurance was about £1400 for a year!) other modes of transport including some taxis may be cheaper overall.
Also not all Unis have free parking for students.
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Sounds like the C1 and PassPlus then audi.
I wish I was an uncle like you, not that they'd notice in particular.
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And I was against the £1400 insurance, which crept up when he swapped a few cars to the equivalent of over £2000 for a year!
Did I pay... no! But his dad is a millionaire but overall not that generous. Only paid for the insurance because I paid for the driving lessons he'd promised. Of course he now produces movies as an expensive hobby.... no really. Anyone want say Karel Roden's mobile number?
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If your neice thinks of cars as a way of getting from a to b fine, but if she really likes cars, please get some input. Its terrible to get given something expensive like a car and not actually like the thing (I know as I was given an escort, and I find its not that nice to drive) Yes she should be grateful for a free car, but give her some choice to what it actualy is and she will be much more apreciative (SP).
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What a lovely uncle you are.
Ford Ka every time - good image, plenty of street cred and they're a hoot to drive. More modern designs have better NCAP ratings but the Ka has a wheel at each corner (i.e. mimimum overhang)and is very safe to drive, so she's less likely to have a crash in the first place.
Brokers like drivethedeal.com have some good discounts on them.
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I cant believe that ford can be losing money when they can build such cracking cars as these.
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mm that sounds like a positive....oh well 0they could do with the good publicity
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I would seriously check what the parking situation and easy of driving around of her intended destination.. Many universities are extremely opposed to students driving anywhere or even parking on campus/near univ buildings. Never mind many uni cities are becoming very draconian on parking/car based movement generally. She may find that its hard if not impossible to get a resident's parking permit (or they may already have allocated enough for her house).
Unless she really needs a car I'd get her some other present.
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Personally I dont see much a appeal in the Ka. I think you can get more up to date cars for similar money.
Its a 10 year old design (and people slagged MG Rover off for dated designs) up until recently had engine that could only be described as prehistoric, and moderate NCAP rating by the latest standards.
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Having had the seed sown, I've been looking on Autotrader. I don't think the missus would go for the poverty spec of the lesser models and found 2004 54, 1.2 Eleganza for £4795.
This is £250 above the dodgy Parkers valuations, so can any traders give me an accurate valuation.
Many thanks
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It's only £1400 more for a new one from FiatSuperSaver, two years newer, two years extra warranty and no MOT's and a lot less risk(no dodgy history).
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Just thought I would post some figures for possible cars as I am in the same position except it is an 18 year old son the car is for.
I am still undecided as to whether a old / new car is the right way however for new cars here is what I have found so far:
Mitsubushi Colt CZ1 / Red 6000 - 6250 for pre reg 56 from a dealer or Colt Blue 6999 from broker www.simpledeal.co.uk
Seat Ibiza 1.2 Reference @ 6495 from Arnold Clark
Toyota Yaris @ 6999 from autobytel
Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 Active 56 pre reg @ 6499 from www.RegVardy.com
Fiesta Studio from 6180 / Style from under 6500 from various brokers
Suzuki Swifts appear to have no discounts and pre regs don't exist
Only other thing I have found which may be of interest is a method of reducing insurance costs by 50% (allegedly) from MoreThan @ www.morethandrivetime.com/index.html
If anyone can beat these prices / have corresponding deals on other relevant models, could I suggest they post here also?
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