Best cars for new drivers

Choosing your first car can feel overwhelming as you search for a vehicle that is not only affordable to buy and maintain but also ensures safety and reliability, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the drive rather than visiting the local mechanics garage. It’s important that your choice is stylish enough that your friends will be excited to ride along. With various factors to weigh before making such an investment, we’ve put together a short guide to help you find the best cars for new drivers currently available.

Should You buy a new or used for your first car?

Deciding between a new and a used car can be a difficult choice but it is important to consider the pros an cons of each,

As you weigh your options between a new or used car, remember that the journey starts with understanding your own circumstances and preferences. Think about how often you plan to drive, the types of trips you’ll make, and what features matter to you, whether it’s the latest tech or established reliability. A new car offers the peace of mind that comes with warranties and the newest safety advancements, while a used car can stretch your budget further and give you access to a wider variety of models. Assessing your priorities will lead you to the right choice that not only makes your initial driving experience enjoyable but also suits your evolving needs as a new driver without causing any financial difficulties.

Buying a new car for your first car

A new car can look nice, and it will impress your friends but is it the best option for you?

New Car Advantages

New car models feature the latest in driver-assistance and entertainment technology, making your driving experience safer and more enjoyable. With helpful tools like lane departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, you can drive with confidence. Plus, touchscreen infotainment systems and smartphone connectivity ensure you stay entertained on the road.

Financing

New cars often come with great financing options that let you break the cost into manageable monthly payments, making it easier to buy a new car without straining your budget.

Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty is included with all new cars and many manufacturers have warranties lasting several years, at time of writing Suzuki are offering a 7 year warranty on the Swift covering repair costs for unexpected mechanical issues and providing you with financial security and reassurance.

Maintenance costs

Buying a brand-new car may cost more upfront, but it usually offers greater reliability in the early years, which can lead to lower maintenance costs compared to buying a used car. You should also take into consideration any conditions that the dealer puts in regarding servicing, some warranties insist that the car is serviced at the main dealers to keep the warranty, this can add to costs and should be taken into consideration when buying a new car.

New Car disadvantages

While there are lots of benefits to buying a new car there are also some drawbacks. While new cars have their benefits, there are reasons they may not be the best choice for every driver.

Depreciation

a new car will lose a significant amount of value as soon as you drive it of the forecourt.

Bigger expense

Obviously a brand new car is going to have a much higher purchase cost than a used model, when you take into account warranties and finance deals this may still seem like a good deal, and it may be. However keep in mind that if you are buying with finance that you will also be paying interest.

A Used Car Makes a Great First Car

There is a huge choice of used cars available.

Used car advantages

Buying a used car can save a considerable amount of money, particularly when buying a car less than a couple of years old. Although used cars still depreciate in value the depreciation will not be as steep as when buying a new car.

This means that should you decide to sell the car inn the near future that you should be able to donso without losing too much money.

Used car disadvantages

Although buying a used car can lead to considerable savings, it may come with a few drawbacks when compared to the peace of mind that often accompanies buying a new vehicle.

Used cars usually come with little to no warranty, which means you may have to pay for any repairs that come up after you buy one. Even though some dealerships offer extended warranties for used cars, these often do not provide the same level of protection as the warranties that come with new cars.

Maintenance Costs

As vehicles get older, they typically need more maintenance and repairs, resulting in higher maintenance expenses. While selecting a dependable make and model can help reduce some of these costs, it’s essential to anticipate possible repairs and maintenance that newer cars usually but not always do not require.

Choice of colour and spec

Buying a used vehicle often requires accepting some compromises on features . Finding a used car that fits your exact preferences can be more challenging than customizing a new one. Furthermore, used cars may lack the latest technology and safety features that come standard in newer models. It can also be time consuming looking for a good used car.

New Car buying Checklist

Your Budget: Determine your payment method for the car; if you’re fortunate enough to pay in cash you can do so, but if not you will need to consider either financing options or obtaining a loan from a bank or a family member.
Finance Check: If you are using the dealers finance, check the APR, monthly payments and term, it may be worth asking your bank as their rates can often be more favourable.
Negotiate: Your in a position to buy, the salesman knows this so see what you can do, even if its just some free mats or a tank of fuel it all helps
Insurance: Before buying the car you should have an insurance quote ready to start at the same time as you collect the car.
Driving Licence: It is usual for the car dealer to ask to see your driving licence.

When buying a new car the dealer will usually take care of taxing the car for you,and your v25 log book will arrive by post within a few days.

Used Car buying Checklist

Your Budget: As with a new car decide how much you are able to spend and how you are going to fund the purchase.
Finance Check: As above check out all options and choose the one that suits you best
Negotiate: Buying a used car puts you in a stronger position to negotiate a discount.
Extras: Usually the dealer will offer you some extras such as gap insurance or an extended warranty, don’t feel pressured into buying any of these, choose what is best for you.
Insurance: Before buying the car you should have an insurance quote ready to start at the same time as you collect the car.
Driving Licence: It is usual for the car dealer to ask to see your driving licence.
Consider buying online: There are now many online used car websites where you can buy a car and if you are not happy you can return it within a certain time frame. For instance Cinch offer a 14 day peace of mind guarantee.

When buying a new car the dealer will usually take care of taxing the car for you,and your v25 log book will arrive by post within a few days.

The Ideal Car for your very first car.

Most people will be looking for something that is reasonably priced and in good sound mechanical condition.

Some of the cars that we have used and what we think of them.

Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost.

These were amazing little cars, plenty of power, economical to run and the titanium models which we had were fitted with all the extra features you coud ask for including sat nav, cruise control and automatic headlights.

The only drawback withn these great little cars is that they have a wet timing belt, which needs to be changed regulary otherwise if it happens to snap it can cause catastrophic damage to your engine. If you do buy one of these cars, make certain that the belt has been looked after and changed at the correct intervals.

Ford Focus 1.5 Diesel

These are really great cars, especially if you want somthing a little bigger than the Fiesta, very economical and comfortable for those longer journeys.

Again the titanium models from 2016 onwards have all the extras you will need.

Toyota Yaris 1.0

Extremely reliable car, economical and comfortable to travel in. A fantastic car especially for local journeys.