Quote from: Jaitsu^^cool

gonna look at a seat now
the astras on autotrader are all 5dr, dont know if they do a 3dr

They do a 3dr astra for definate, my friend had one when he passed his test.

I think he got a 1.4. They seem few and far between on ebay for sure.

yea... does the engine size increase the insurance premium?

i would want either a 1.0 or 1.2 to keep the cost down

and also, diesel or no diesel?
they sound horrible but i am learning in a diesel and like how they drive, and low fuel costs too

If youre getting an older car put £30 aside for AA/RAC/Green Flag cover, it comes in very handy. In fact it comes in handy on any age car tbh, you never know when something might just pack in.

Quote from: Clockd 0NeIf youre getting an older car put £30 aside for AA/RAC/Green Flag cover, it comes in very handy. In fact it comes in handy on any age car tbh, you never know when something might just pack in.

Although some insurers do give you breakdown cover in the cost of the insurance.

The smallest engine on the Astra was a 1.4L

Normally the premium will go up depending on the engine size or power.

Diesels could be good for security too as not many people want to steal them, or atleast thats the impression I get. The engines go on for longer too aparently. Personally my Volvo is still going strong and thats petrol.

cool
cheers for the replies

this is helping me a lot, i can now narrow my search down
i was also considering paying monthly for insurance rather than a lump sum...

although i may pay for the year and just get my dad to pay it, and pay him back if he has the money

Quote from: Jaitsucool
cheers for the replies

this is helping me a lot, i can now narrow my search down
i was also considering paying monthly for insurance rather than a lump sum...

although i may pay for the year and just get my dad to pay it, and pay him back if he has the money

You will pay less paying it in one big lump. I pay it monthly for the credit rating improvement. If you can pay it in one big lump and then save the money youd be spending on insurance over the year and youll have next years premium.

If you have a credit card (interest free for a while), stick it on there, and it will be cheaper than paying it monthly. Also, you can over pay on a credit card, rather than just paying £100/month for 12 months to the insurance, you could pay £180/month for 6 months on the credit card.

Using an interest free credit card is a damn good idea, providing you remember to pay it and make the right percentage payments.

I always do that with my insurance, as I cant afford to pay the £600 or whatever lump sum, and its cheaper than paying the insurance company monthly. I generally pay my 12 month insurance off in 6-8months.

Should have thought of Seat Ibiza - loads of my mates have them.  Very reliable, very good and very cheap.

Quote from: jamieL^^^ God, who DOESNT wear a seatbelt these days?! Serves the person right.

My lil sis is 25 so was 7 years ago but yeah it was dumb.

i think im kinda set on the seat ibiza

i see rally edition and 1.4L and i think *BIG PREMIUM* though

gotta keep it down

Quote from: Jaitsui think im kinda set on the seat ibiza

i see rally edition and 1.4L and i think *BIG PREMIUM* though

gotta keep it down

Get a lower engined, or lower insurance grouped, one this year and next when youve hopefully got a yeard NCB your premium might go down a big and youll be able to get that rally edition

haha yea thought that
it does look good

but i dont care too much for looks right now as long as it has four wheels

is the leon better/worse/good/bad?

EDIT: spelt leon wrong hahaa
EDIT2: okay just looked at the leon and theyre 1.6 and £2k minimum, dont like them