Can anyone recommend a good first car for a young female driver - Up to $9K

[BLUEYBA]

Originally Posted by prydey

i agree. it took 30 replies to mention focus. this is a ford forum isn't it. so often when people ask for advice on which car, every other brand possible is mentioned before a ford option. you have to wonder sometimes.

also, to those mentioning ford laser... the budget is 9k, not $900.

another vote for LS/LT focus. don't let the fact they are built in south africa put you off. they are a great drive. possibly not the most economical in their class but they are one of the heaviest, which i think is a good thing. nothing wrong with a bit of mass in a small car. i bought my mother in law one in sydney and drove it home (adelaide) and they sit on the road very well. i've driven falcons all my life and the focus didn't feel a lot different. very planted, not affected too much by a stiff cross wind etc.

i bought one for my wife not long after and she loves it. awesome little cars.

A quality last model Laser 2002 are certainly not $900 especially the SR and SR2.

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by BadMax

Not everyone is one eyed, everything doesn't have to be about Ford.
Ding it, yeah probably happen so should be a consideration as bumper will get knocked eventually. Maintenance is a biggie, iirc Focus ain't cheap on parts, nothing like the Getz.
Safety is a consideration, how many of us had first cars with all the bells and whistles and didn't survive to tell the tale?
Key to being safe is teach her how to drive not pass a test. All the pop and stop in the world isn't going to stop an accident, probably create a false sense of security.

When you have been to as many accidents I have .. Trust me safety is supreme !!! Girls dont think that way anyway.. They think cup holders and make up mirrors.. Lol..

[lelandnine]

For less than 9K you can buy a low km Getz 2010/2011 which will still have some of it's original 5 year warranty. I have recommended these cars to 3 people in the last 12 months. All bought one and they love'm

[blueoval]

I agree the Getz are under rated by far. Pretty much from 09 on the Hyundais have come in leaps and bounds.

+1 for a Subaru Liberty in the way of reliability. Can get a Gen3 for pretty cheap these days. 2.5L awd. Very reliable. BUT if a/c is a must might be best to steer clear of these as the a/c on these cars are pretty lack lustre compared to say a larger car. Thats what I have found on both the Subbys I have owned. On hot days in traffic, they struggle.

Be very careful with cheap chinese stuff and early early Korean cars older than 08.

Another under rated car is a Lancer. Excellent cars for the dough.

Mazda are great but are getting pricey. Same with some Toyotas.

Im also a fan of the Honda Accord Euro's. Great motor in those little things.

[XR6_661]

Green swift. The display dem P plates.

So all us blokes know to look in and see if she is decent.


YEAH YEAH Like I'm the only one

[blueoval]

I do not think its a bad idea to go for these cars or any car for that matter as long as you know what you are looking for and are prepared with prior personal research. Going in blindly with no knowledge is what many make the mistake of, get burnt and blame the brand with.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

Green swift. The display dem P plates.

So all us blokes know to look in and see if she is decent.


YEAH YEAH Like I'm the only one

HAHAHA So true. P plate on a small hatch, look to see if she is hot, sometimes get a surprise that it is a guy

But in seriousness note, a Lancer as another above has mentioned. When I was 20 looking for a car, a lancer was nearly purchased, got a XF instead.

[xisled]

Originally Posted by krzysiek

Flappist, please set a good example for the forum community.

It would have been fine to ask "Have you thought of actually just asking her what she would like?" but the assumptive remarks that follow are not appropriate.

I never mentioned knowing more about cars than her, in fact, in my first post I openly stated that I know little about small cars. Did you read my original post before leaving your remarks?

Please stay on topic.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I have passed all of them on to her to take a look at, except for any where a big car like a Falcon was suggested, as the eye is set on a small car.

I actually found a good deal on a Hyundai Getz, but later found out that it was in an accident, and is a repairable write-off.

Is it a bad idea generally to still go for these types of cars? I have a mechanic coming along with me, but I realise that it may still be a bad idea to consider the car?

I would stay away from a write off. The reason is, the value of the car, plus there would be a question in my mind, has it been repaired correctly.

A mechanic may be able to tell you if it has a good motor etc, but may not be able to tell you about the quality of repair.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

When you have been to as many accidents I have .. Trust me safety is supreme !!! Girls dont think that way anyway.. They think cup holders and make up mirrors.. Lol..

Well obviously safety is not so supreme that you still drive a EB XR8 occasionally.......

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well obviously safety is not so supreme that you still drive a EB XR8 occasionally.......

I have much latter cars than the E.B and 800 h.p is not what a first car can safely drive..
I'm experienced enough .., I learnt driving old A70's, old farm trucks, Fordson Dexter etc, way before I went to high school..

In most cases kids don't have this experience!!! Often their first crash is there last !!! Stupid part is they're often drunk and NO blloody seat belts !!

We are talking first car here..

[STINKY NINJA]

If the budget get there get a cj lancer,heaps of room inside for a small car.Uses around 7 litres per hundred km in a manual and has a 5 star safety rating.best car ive ever owned.
Go pretty well for a 2.0,the 2.4 go even better.
The autos are rubbish though and use heaps of fuel.

[DJM83]

I think we are done here, hopefully the OP got some good advice.