No, its ok. Ive had too many people say they got a banger for their first car and they wish theyd just payed more and got a newer one to save all the hassle.

So ill take their advice.

Yes but I wouldnt go silly on a first car either, you dont have to get a banger, when I think banger I think Nova, Mk1 Golf, Mk 1 Fiesta etc.  But really I would look for something that you can relatively cheaply build up your NCB and driving experiance with a first car, so that you can go for more interesing cars later on if you so wish and won;t leave a hole in your wallet.

I guess its a bit late for my 2p, but the 2 main problems with that alfa is the value is going depreciate badly and reliability is typically a big issue.  It wont be cheap if something goes wrong.

Niges far is an example of a sensible choice imo, parts are cheap enough, very reliable car and engine unit.  Easy and fun to drive, cheap to insure.   Ideal first car.

Well, you see, thats why you paid £450.  Even a 3 year old Clio 1.2 these days would be £5500~.

You must be joking.  Where from?  Dealers around here are practically giving away the last generation of the Clio so they can get the new (current) Clio in the showroom.  A friend of mine got a fully equipped 1.6 for about £6000 iirc, she was even offered the 2.0 sport for that price but she couldnt insure it.

Whenever a new generation of car comes out, Golf, Clio, Fiesta, whatever, dealers usually go crazy to get rid of the main stock.