subject: Your First Car A Buyer's Guide [print this page] So, what makes an ideal first car? Safety obviously plays an important role, as does reliability. Who wants sleep broken by tearful offspring, left stranded late at night because of a dodgy old car?
Consider where the car will spend time unattended. If the car must be left in a campus or railway car park, inner city streets or late night workplace, dodge models popular with thieves. Don't choose a model that locks a young buyer into high maintenance costs..
Young drivers should consider building up a no-claim bonus on a car that is cheap to insure, for big savings when it's time to buy a better car.
If you are a parent buying a first car for a teenager, ensure that the driver has some investment in the choice, insurance and running costs so they don't drive it into the ground to prove the parental choice wrong.
Consider safety, size and how comfortable occupants are likely to be. A large car hitting the rear of some small hatches even at city speeds is enough to pin the rear passengers against the windscreen. Measure the distance between the back seat and rear bumper, then ask if it's enough to stop a large car or four wheel drive. For car-pooling, choose a sedan, wagon or a premium hatch with extended rear section.
Research all of the available market. By moving away from trendy or very popular choices, you could often buy a much newer model for less money.
Oldies are not always goodies. A grandparent's low mileage older car is rarely a good first car option because hard, everyday use by a young driver can generate a flood of age-related repairs. Older cars don't have modern safety features and need more regular maintenance. If a family heirloom has collector's status, cash it in with a collector and use the proceeds to buy a more suitable first car. Why not search Used Cars Ireland for a vehicle to suit your needs for a first time car.
