Hey Scotty I'm from the UK 🇬🇧, and I've wanted to ask this question of what's the best first car for me at 18 years old, I was thinking of using my mum's Vauxhall Insignia 2011 that she's had for 10 years and hasn't given any problems at all, but I would like to hear your opinion, thanks.
In the UK, probably a used Ford Fiesta manual..
What'll your mum drive, if you steal her ride?
I'd like to add that EU market small Ford EcoBoost engines (Fox / Dragon) should be avoided, time showed that those were nightmares.
(1.0 "Fox" engine blocks crack, and 1.5 "Dragon" blow head gaskets and with the magic of port+gdi injection they have carbon build up on the inaccessible exhaust valves), it's the US spec "Sigma" and "DuraTech" engines that actually work - they're a bit rarer, and they don't have good power or the fuel efficiency you'd expect from a super mini, but they're solid.
I didn’t realise the Ecoboosts were sold with a manual. Thanks for pointing that out. I was referring to the duratech Fiestas.
Vauxhall Insignia
What powertrain does it have? Also what’s the mileage?
If your planing on only using it, why not.
what's the best first car
since the E150 corolla was never sold in the UK, I'd say that the 3rd generation Mazda3 SkyActive 2.0 is the way to go - But they're pricy.
If you can find a late model year E150 Auris with a 1.6L/1.6 and a conventional gearbox (not the MultiMode nor the MultiDrive) it might be a good deal.
What are cars that are in your budget? and what are you looking for in a car?
It had 45k miles, it had a 1.8L engine and it was a manual transmission but, it was a oil burner as well so my mum always had to carry engine oil, but I was totally convinced on having it as she wanted to give it to me, as she wanted to get another Vauxhall Insignia 2019.
Burning oil at 45k miles? that's genuinely a new low.
Why would she want another?
Assuming your mom gets a newer car, although I am not a big fan of GM/Vauxhall, I am open to the idea of paid for, old, well maintained, hand me downs as a first car. But if you are buying something used, stay away from GM/Vauxhall, and focus on Toyota, Honda, Mazda.
But don’t leave your mom without a car.
Oh okay, because at first I was thinking of getting a MINI Countryman but hearing from Scotty's opinions i wouldn't risk it, so I will definitely by a Honda Civic, or maybe a Seat Leon 😅.
Idk what the car market is like there, but here in the states, some people like myself go for like an old mans car. I had an older buick as my first car, and it was built like a tank.
