Five Of The Cheapest Cars to Buy
If you are looking to buy a new car having just passed your test, there are a few considerations you need to take in. Ultimately, the cheaper to buy & to run the better, don't forget you have to consider CO2 emissions now as well. Also as a new driver you will inevitably have higher insurance premiums but you can also lower these by taking the Pass Plus advanced driving course, buying a smaller, older engined vehicle, preferably one that isn't likely to be stolen. However, cheap doesn't have to mean rubbish.
The following are some of the cheapest on the market, they are also kind to the environment, on your pocket & nippy to drive.
VW Fox
Even though it may be getting on now, it means that it's even more of a bargain. Not the funkiest of looking cars, but it is practical & drives extremely well. It has sharp steering & lots of headroom making it feel bigger than it is. It has the VW symbol so that can ensure that it is stable & robust.
Less than £6,500 will get you one, the 1.2 three-pot engine has oodles of character, it is cheap to run & great on the roads including the motorway. Paying a bit more gives you alloys & air con. But beware, modifying it will give it more than its usual group 1. Fun and safety were always considered when it was designed; it has standard front passenger & driver airbags.
The engines available are 1.2 or 1.4 petrol, or a 1.4 TDI PD diesel engine. Cost of insurance will vary due to the type of model chosen but the Fox starts in group 1, so it should be easy to find one that suits you & your budget.
Ford Ka
The Ford Ka has been around for over 10 years, it was originally the low cost option for the Fiesta & Escort. Now they are usual from £6,900 & a group 2. It has always sold well & has improved & become stronger & snazzier than before, introducing the StreetKa (group 7) & SportKa (group 6).
The Ka is not the fastest car, but it is nippy, & as a new driver it is perfect. It is so easy to park, & so tiny, you can fit it into the smallest of spaces without worrying about bumping into things. There are 14 models that come under insurance group 2 to choose from, which gives you plenty of choice. At this present time you may also be able to get an even better deal, because Ford will be desperate to shift its old stock to make room on the forecourts for the new version. The 1.3-litre petrol engine is getting on a bit so it's not the greenest, but it's cheap to run, & easy to maintain.
Fiat Panda
The new(ish) Fiat Panda is still effortlessly cool (James May owns one-now debatable). It still looks good & it drives far better than most small hatches, & overall it's cheap, just under £7k in fact. However you could get a 1.1-litre Active model for about £6,000 with perseverance. Handy on country roads & around town too. It is a bit on the small side, especially in the boot, only cassette tapes as standard & now air con, but the fuel economy is very rewarding, in the mid-fifties and 119g/km of CO2.
Although Italian manufacturers haven't been the best with reliability, if anything goes wrong in the first two years, the Panda is covered by a manufacturer's warranty with the third year covered by the dealer. The Panda has a driver & passenger airbag, anti-lock brakes & electronic brake distribution. In the EuroNCAP crash test programme, the Panda was awarded three stars, which is the same as the Ford Ka and Kia Picanto.
Hyundai i10
Neither understating nor exceptional, the Hyundai i10 is however very cheery & happy. It has superior qualities of running costs, space & user friendliness. The Hyundai is the newest car on this list & the only one to offer air conditioning as standard, along with iPod connectivity & electric windows. The 65bhp 1.1-litre engine is the same unit that's used in the range-topping Kia Picanto & it feels rather nippy. It drives with fluidity. From £6495, the engine gives 1086cc, 65bhp at 5500rpm, 73lb ft at 2800rpm. Performance 0-62mph in 15.6secs, top speed 105mph, 56.3mpg & the emissions are only 119g/km, tax band B £35. Therefore the i10 is cheap. It's not a large or fast car making it easy for the town & parking. The overall quality is very good as Hyundai have absolute faith in its products & offer the i10 with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. On a car which costs £6,495, this is as close to hassle-free motoring. The i10 is fitted with four airbags as standard, other safety features include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution & all-round disc brakes.
Kia Picanto
Undoubtedly cute & in need of a loving owner. It's cheaper than other Korean counterparts, because it's available with a 1.0-litre petrol engine. The £5,995 price tag makes it an even more cheerful motor. If A-to-B transport on a budget is your requirement, & the motorway is the road less used, this is the car for you. It's well equipped, standard with electric windows & a CD/MP3 player, reasonably spacious inside with modern fit, the Kia Picanto offers fantastic value for money. The engines are 999cc, 61bhp at 5600rpm, 64lb ft at 2900rpm, emissions 117g/km, cheap tax band. The Picanto feels more solid than some other cars in its class as the build quality is very good. Its also basic, so repair costs are quite low. Kia only offers a three-year warranty on the Picanto. However it is safe, it scores an impressive four stars for child protection in the EuroNCAP crash tests, although it scored three stars for adult protection. The Picanto comes with ABS and two front air bags as standard, so it meets the standard you expect of a car this price.
Copyright © 2008 Click4Warranty
The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily held by the Click4Group unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.
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