First car recommendations

"MultiplaOrgasms" (themightymultipla) 08/25/2014 at 17:50 • Filed to: None

0

37

As the ones who read the last sentence in my introduction post may already know, I do not have a car yet and it'll probably stay that way for atleast another year or so.

However I am already saving up for one, but I absolutely no idea what it should be. This is why I ask you. The problem is that being a hipster I do not want something ordinary. By ordinary I mean common first cars, which in case of Germany would be Hatchbacks and Superminis like the Golf/ Focus/ Astra or Polo/ Fiesta/ Corsa. Then again I would consider a Hatchback if it was something unusual or really fucking cool like a Volvo 360 GLT:

Other than that, I do not have any real regulations concerning my first car, make, model, bodystyle and drivetrain do not really matter to me, although manuél would be preferred. However the car should be somewhat sensible, insurance and taxes must be affordable since these are fucking ridiculous for people of my age (my cousin pays ~ €2300 a year to insure his 1.4 Mk.1 Focus, despite having done driver safety trainings and having been accident free for nearly two years). And of course it should be decently reliable (looking at you Lancia Beta) and shouldn't cost more than 4000€.

Any recommendation is welcome and will be rewarded with a hug should we ever meet IRL. Oppo, do your thing and help an indecisive fellow Opponaut! Peace out.

dogisbadob > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 17:56

1

Any car is the best first car :)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 17:57

0

E36, I don't know what insurance is like over there though

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 17:58

1

Considering you like in another country I have no idea. But I'll always say Honda Civic hatchback. Not a newer one tho, a fourth or maybe fifth gen.

Cheap, fun, "toss-able", not much power stock but TONS of aftermarket support if you want it. Just a fun cheap "throw away" car, or a car that will be the (automotive)love of your life. Which is exactly what a first car should be.

daender > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 17:58

2

Out of nowhere suggestion: BMW 318ti

It's quirky and unique in comparison to regular E36 models but it comes with a 4-banger and potential manual for lower insurance and driving enjoyment when you can get it. It also shares enough parts with the E36 to make repairs/upgrades easier to find/afford instead of looking at bespoke aftermarket..

Tohru > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 17:59

1

Sensible, cheap to insure, reliable, under 4000 Euros, rear hatch...

Chevy Caprice wagon.

http://www.ooyyo.de/detail/c=CDA01…

RazoE > daender 08/25/2014 at 18:00

0

dang, it really looks good with an M kit.

djmt1 > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:01

0

My advice, pick quick. I've been stuck in this stupid loop for two year of every time I save money I want something else just outside my price range and thus save some more only for the cycle to repeat. Right now my current choice is the Octavia VRS.

but going by past experience when I do have enough I'll probably think I like how 5 cyclinders sound, Focus ST it is.

Only then to fall back into the whole New vs Used debate and put it off for another month.

jkm7680 > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:04

0

I'd say B5 A4, lots of parts available.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Tohru 08/25/2014 at 18:05

2

This. All day, every day.

My recommendation would be any wagon version of a family car.

duurtlang > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:06

0

I don't know where you live exactly or how much (diesel) or little (gasoline) you plan on driving. Anyway, my standard answer for someone looking for a cheap car in Europe would be Peugeot 306. Cheap, reliable, fun to drive, cheap parts, not rust prone, practical, frugal, good gasoline and diesel engines available, cheap to insure (when you don't pick a performance version). With your €4000 budget you can get a very nice one and have money to spare for other things, like insurance or fuel.

However, given your Volvo 360 suggestion you seem to like oddballs as well. First of all, good luck finding a 360 in decent condition. I've actually tried earlier this year. 340s are plentiful due to the geriatric crowd, 360s not so much. That said, I do applaud the idea. There are so many cars to choose between though. I'm a bit too tired to come up with many suggestions, although the Citroën BX did pop up in my mind. That's a car that has more haters than lovers though, so it might not be your cup of tea.

I, personally, wouldn't pick something Japanese, although there are a very few I do find interesting. Newer ones are too bland, older ones too rust prone and too difficult to find (expensive!) parts for.

Whatever you do, don't get something too nice. It's a first car, it'll have a hard life.

Tohru > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 08/25/2014 at 18:07

2

Another person that appreciates the Caprice?

duurtlang > Tohru 08/25/2014 at 18:11

0

This made me laugh. Hard. Good luck with fuel costs ($8+ a gallon), finding an insurer for a young driver, finding parts, finding cheap parts, finding a mechanic or even finding a place to park. We are talking about Europe.

TheRallyStache > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:13

0

The problem with you being a hipster is that you want something obscure. Obscure cars are rarely reliable. Over in the US, hatchbacks are rather hipster, but I know they're far more common in Germany. I would say get a Saab.

mcseanerson > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:14

0

Over here hipsters drive Volvo 240s

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:18

1

Pre-1973 VW Beetle! Or get a Trabant and start talking into Polandball English. CAN INTO SUCESS AND MONIES.

Tohru > duurtlang 08/25/2014 at 18:24

0

I'll grant you the gas is expensive (even though a 5.7L Caprice should get 20-25mpg), and that getting parts for it will be like getting parts for your Euro or Japanese car in the States, but why is the rest of it such a bitch?

BATC42 > duurtlang 08/25/2014 at 18:26

1

This! I have a Xsara VTS, but sadly the HDI one. Still, I bought the car in 2010 (6 months after getting my licence) with 155.000 km. I've put 35.000 km on it since then. And it has been dead reliable along the way. I had an issue with the AC-fan controlboard that had to be changed in 4 years of ownership.

And just like it's cousin, the 306, it comes with this wonderful chassis. Both the 306 and Xsara have passive rear wheel steering. It's quite fun to play with on small roads. It causes the car to oversteer a bit, it kind of like driving a RWD car.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 18:33

0

I'm enjoying my first car so far. Cheap to buy, one of the lowest to insure available, have gotten 55mpg average since I bought it, fun to drive, fits 4 adults in reasonable comfort.

duurtlang > Tohru 08/25/2014 at 18:52

0

These were sold in very small numbers in Europe. I'm betting gray import only. American market GM vehicles, other than the rebadged Daewoos, aren't common at all. It isn't like getting parts for a Japanese or 'European' car in the US, it's like getting parts for your Peugeot 505 in the US. It can be done, but you'll have to get out of your way. The same goes for getting a mechanic experienced with American cars. It can be done, but they're few and far between. And more expensive than your run of the mill Renault or Skoda place. Another, but very different, problem is that they hardly fit in a normal parking space.

American cars are oddballs in Europe. You only drive one when you really, really want to and can put up with the extra costs and hassle. A bit like classic car owners.

Edit: about insurance. I haven't checked this exact car, but 5.7 V8 and first time car owner? Insurers will start to salivate when a 18 year tries to I sure something with as much displacement as 1.8L.

Tohru > duurtlang 08/25/2014 at 19:04

0

I'm sitting here laughing my ass off at the mental image of a Chevrolet being more expensive to service than a Renault or a Skoda.

Funny what a couple thousand miles of ocean does to one's perspective.

It still doesn't sound like a bad idea for a car, though. Safe and reliable, fast on Autobahn... maybe it's just my 'Murica bias. Still sounds better than a Multiblah.

duurtlang > BATC42 08/25/2014 at 19:09

0

Well there you go. I should've mentioned the Xsara myself, thanks for the addition. I've driven my 406 coupe from the same era 49k km in less than 2 years. Other than fluids/filters/bulbs/AC refill and a battery I needed to replace a €5 exhaust mounting part. That was it. I've haven't owned my 205 GTi for long enough to comment on the reliability of that car though. It's from a different era anyway, a semi classic, so only relevant when looking for that exact type of car.

duurtlang > daender 08/25/2014 at 19:12

0

You can get those with a straight 6 as well (in Europe). 323ti I believe.

duurtlang > Tohru 08/25/2014 at 19:24

0

Imagine my surprise when reading about 'European ' cars on American sites for the first time. It took me a long time to understand. I remember reading a piece about a US junkyard, with a section for GM, one for Ford, one for Chrysler and one for European. Here there's one for German, one for French, one for Italian, one for Asian, one for Swedish and usually an 'other' section. Chrysler will go to other, regular Fords (Focus, Fiesta) to German and the rest to other.

I'm with you on the multipla. Also, your average Cruze will be just as cheap/expensive to service as a Renault or Skoda as it's an Opel underneath. It's the obscureness of the Caprice that makes it more expensive.

XJDano > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 19:54

0

MK1 Scirocco

Although I'm partial to MK1 Rabbit that was buit in PA.

XJDano > MultiplaOrgasms 08/25/2014 at 19:59

0

On second thought first cars should be a beater you almost hate so you look forward to your second car.

daender > duurtlang 08/25/2014 at 20:32

0

I know of the straight-six option but I figured the smaller engine might be a better choice as a first-car when you consider insurance and fuel and whatnot.

Jobjoris > MultiplaOrgasms 08/26/2014 at 04:10

0

Ouch! A 360 GLT. My father had a 360 GLE (same engine, sedan-layout) once. Quite reliable. But not that good a drive. NOT a good drive.

Being a hipster you need to stand out of the crowd even more than a 70s Dutch Volvo. Go for a Rodeo. Renault that is:

Still can be found for under 4K euros, unlike the Mehari at this moment.

MultiplaOrgasms > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you 08/26/2014 at 04:28

1

Type-1 are starting to get somewhat expensive however, not to mention scary performance and crappy mpg. Trabbies too. But thanks for the suggestion anyways. :)

MultiplaOrgasms > XJDano 08/26/2014 at 04:30

0

Mk.1 Golf diesels get brilliant mpg too!

MultiplaOrgasms > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 08/26/2014 at 04:32

0

Sure, why not, Pandas are great little cars, almost like a shrunken Multipla ;)

MultiplaOrgasms > djmt1 08/26/2014 at 04:36

0

I think I can focus on one car for a while. Regarding your suggestions, they are a bit fast and therefore midly problematic regarding insurance. A base model TDI Octavia Wagon however...

...would have to be a first gen tho.

MultiplaOrgasms > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 08/26/2014 at 04:38

0

Believe me, there are little to no unmodified (riced) pre-8th gen Civics in my area.

MultiplaOrgasms > duurtlang 08/26/2014 at 04:50

0

Hm my mom had a BX. Piece of plastic shit lol. The Xantia was much better.

MultiplaOrgasms > BATC42 08/26/2014 at 04:50

0

Hows insurance?

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > MultiplaOrgasms 08/26/2014 at 05:58

0

Toyota St162 or AT160 (Celica GT or ST Coupe)

Celica GT

- Looks good

- The GT (most common one) is reasonably fast

- reliable

- uncommon

- pop-up headlights

Celica ST Coupe:

- Not fast (1.6 only)

- Even more rare (there are almost zero pictures of the ST Coupe on the web)

-This car was for the EUDM

- I have one:

BATC42 > MultiplaOrgasms 08/26/2014 at 07:21

0

I'm in France and the car is still insured on my father's name. But I'm registered as a primary driver on it. I think we pay around 500/600€ a year. When we got it, and if it was insured in my name I would have paid around 1300€ a year.

The one I have has the 110hp HDI engine, the 90hp HDI one would be cheaper to insure. If you go the 306 way (they all have passive rear wheel steering), the HDI engines are a must if you go diesel. I think the 306 was only available in HDI with the 110hp 2.0l engine though. And the 306 looks better I think.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MultiplaOrgasms 08/26/2014 at 12:00

0

I believe you.