Buying youngest a new car - advice please

Badjamin

Badjamin

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I'm taking the youngest to Leeds tomorrow (30 mins away) to buy his first car. Can anyone gimme any pointers on what to look for, how to behave and what's reasonable to request? The car is a Volvo s40 1.6L that is essentially a ford focus with a longer chassis. the mot states there is wear on the front and rear brake discs so I was thinking we'd possibly be able to ask for a little off the price for getting those done... is that reasonable or am I being and ADHD stresshead... I am not very good at buying cars and don't wanna shame the kid

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Don’t be too keen and be prepared to walk away. Any hint that you really want it will likely mean you will get no movement on the price (a distinct possibility if you’ve paid a deposit and he knows you’ve travelled!). The dealer will simply say it’s priced allowing for its condition knowing you will roll over and buy it anyhow.

Give it a good look over and make sure everything works. Have a look on the forums for common issues with that model so you know what to look for. Things like EML, dash warnings, non-working windows/locks or dead aircon could mean expensive repairs. A few little dings, stone chips or minor panel rust is cosmetic and not unusual on a 16 year old car.

I’d also recommend doing an HPI style check to get some confidence everything is genuine. And make sure you (or your son!) have money left over for the inevitable repairs/maintenance in the near future.

I never buy on the spot and always go away after looking at it. Even if that’s to a local coffee shop to have a think through everything without the pressure of the salesman breathing down my neck. Don’t go near closing time as you will feel pressured to do the deal. Go with your head, not your heart. Any doubt walk away. Good luck.
 
Yes, as Rossco says - you might want to look at something with about 1litre engine. (and ginkster about the checks)
Not only for insurance purposes, but I can guarantee that as soon as little one sits in the driver's seat and papa isn't around, it becomes a Formula 1.
So, for safety purposes also - you want something that doesn't look cool, doesn't give amazing acceleration (but does give safe acceleration) but can carry a few friends and luggage at a push. (not with a push)
That car looks a bit too speedy for a youngun.
Save enough funds for car insurance (minimum £1000 for kids) Michellin tyres and Bosch windscreen wipers for your chosen car - no point in skipping on important safety features.

Regardless - let us know what you end up going for and how it works out. Good luck. Oh to see their little eyes light up when you give them the keys.
 
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@RosscoPCole and @whodat he's 19. It's a 1.6 and whilst it's not a 1 litre it is significantly gutless and unattractive enough that it is in the lower insurance margin compared with similar. He will be driving between Sheffield and Huddersfield for Uni and I'm hopeful he will excercise restraint obvs but I have hammered home that we will help with insurance but if he gets a speeding ticket or similar then the insurance assistance will stop and he can commute via public transport. I'd have pushed for him to get a lupo or similar but if he has to do 50 odd miles a day a volvo is a safe and comfortable place to be. I saw a subaru impreza he wanted and my blood pressure shot right up but it was an auto so he decided against it... phewww!!!
 
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I assume you’ve run some quotes against that exact car as insurance was discussed in the other thread? Even a group 1, VW Up! will be £1000+ fully comp. Make sure someone older with a good driving record is a named driver as that will help reduce the cost a bit.
 
It's approx £1200 with me on the ins... not ideal but we don't have much choice. He will be working as well to aid finance and he has a pot he can dip into potentially.
 
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Badjamin said:
It's approx £1200 with me on the ins... not ideal but we don't have much choice. He will be working as well to aid finance and he has a pot he can dip into potentially.
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That’s not bad. It comes down reasonably quickly as they gain NCB and more years driving. As long as they keep a clean record!!

Maybe worth sneaking a tracker in there to keep an eye!
 
ginkster said:
That’s not bad. It comes down reasonably quickly as they gain NCB and more years driving. As long as they keep a clean record!!

Maybe worth sneaking a tracker in there to keep an eye!
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I think a tracker is a great idea, but I think he'd find it and that would be a betrayal... unless I lie and pretend it must have been the previous owners... no... No one is gonna steal it so I can't use that as an excuse hehe
 
Badjamin said:
@RosscoPCole and @whodat he's 19. It's a 1.6 and whilst it's not a 1 litre it is significantly gutless and unattractive enough that it is in the lower insurance margin compared with similar. He will be driving between Sheffield and Huddersfield for Uni and I'm hopeful he will excercise restraint obvs but I have hammered home that we will help with insurance but if he gets a speeding ticket or similar then the insurance assistance will stop and he can commute via public transport. I'd have pushed for him to get a lupo or similar but if he has to do 50 odd miles a day a volvo is a safe and comfortable place to be. I saw a subaru impreza he wanted and my blood pressure shot right up but it was an auto so he decided against it... phewww!!!
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I got my Mrs a Subaru Impreza 1.5R (all wheel drive) 4 speed auto and it's a brilliant car but very slow. Would be perfect for a youngin to keep his credibility whilst being unable to pull the skin of a custard at the same time. Handles excellent in the corners because of the low boxer engine centre of gravity and with a pair of Michelin All weathers can handle winter with ease. We've since sold it on to a new driver. Mrs loved it and I actually did too as I've just realised writing this haha.

As long as it's not a WRX or STI the family friendly Subaru Impreza is actually a very good all round safe car for general committing. I would actually consider it for my own fella once he's that age. Auto is almost too slow though so manual would be a slightly better option especially for a new driver to get used to manual shift.
 
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As said above, be prepared to walk away, in fact , walk away and let them pursue you. We're in a similar position, in wanting a first car for my son with a bit more metal around him. Insurance , as ever, is the big stumbling block. I was thinking something like a 1ltr Golf or Polo or Octavia, but they are all group 11 and more. We are now looking at the Skoda Fabia Est, which is a low Insurance group and surprisingly my son is quite keen, as he can get his bike and paddle board etc in and on it.
 
My little one has a Skoda Roomster. Enough oomph to get mates and tat up to the Lake District but not quite enough to make me nervous. Also, decidedly uncool looking but not enough to discourage uni mates from cadging lifts.
 
I woke up 30mins ago (nightshift last night) to news that The dealership called him (the youngest) to ask if he was still interested as someone else wanted to have a look at it today so the guy is gonna hold it for us... i call bullsh*t... anyway, youngest has been convinced he's buying it today... oh well
 
Is that the youngest or the other guy that wanted to view it ?

If its your youngest then he can grow a better beard than me at waayy more than double his age :oops:.

I hope he's a happy bunny :thumbsup:.
 
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