[DC]

Depends though, tax is expensive but affordable (in most cases), the best thing to do is get a 1litre small car, something like a Fiesta, Corsa, 206, etc and build up a few year's no claims. Then they're not so bad - the first couple of years are hard but worth once you've got your no claims.

Don't get me wrong, it's never cheap - but it's normally affordable. As for petrol, well try to limit yourself on where you go. Don't go anywhere unnecessary.

True. A lot of people i know take the scooter or motorbike option. They are ok in the summer, but when the winter rolls around...
But i wonder how you would get on say if you waited until you were 25 instead of driving from 17. Would the insurance be the same as if you started at 17 or would it be worth the wait?

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

Topher - my car eats all my money boooooo

[kendra k]

Just on tax petrol and insureance alone is enough. The Americans have it easy on fuel.

tut tut.

some places tax hella.

[siilver]

c im over in n.ireland i can just go over the bored and cheap fuel

how much is it in the mainland anyway

dev ?
petrol?

[MK Chris]

What's dev? Unleaded is roughly 90p a litre now.

Gaspode, I know cars are expensive, but they're not generally overly so - most people with a license have cars (I would think) so they can at least afford them. (He says, as he's just found out the cost of damage from running into the back of someone at a roundabout... Only a little dent, £360 or so and I'm paying cost prices for all the parts and getting discounted fitting/painting.

Downcount - I reckon a 25 year old who has had a license since he was 17 (and is therefore not a new driver) but hasn't driven since he passed his test (so doesn't have any no-claims but also hasn't actually claimed) is going to have it a bit cheaper than a 17 year old new driver but only by a bit. A 25 year old new driver would have it roughly the same as a 17 year old I think, if marginally better.

Women are a different matter. I paid around £800 for my insurance and believe me I shopped around. That's for a 1.1L Peugeot 206, however, I haven't driven for ages and have no no-claims bonus (and haven't actually claimed for anything.) My girlfriend pays around £300 - although she has a couple of years no-claims.

[kendra k]

i need a car, but i don't want to pay for gas or insurance.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

just keep it on your drive then.

[MK Chris]

Or drive uninsured and flee the petrol garages before paying... I doubt you'll do that for long though.

[Betti911]

Yes they catch you every time with their all seeing CCTV cameras and they prosecute offenders. I had someone in court this week for theft of petrol.

[MK Chris]

It is pretty stupid, I mean they've got number plate readers on those cameras and everything...

A mate of mine had his car nicked and it was seen coming out of a garage without paying for the petrol - I mean really, if you're trying to look conspicuous and not get caught for something it's not the best thing to try and do.

[siilver]

Derv = Diesel

[Eddie]

My insurance is only about £250, fully comp, on a 1.6 Astra.
My wifes insurance, with me asa named driver is like £200 or something so we get both cars done forabout £450 a year. I have got 8 years no claims though, she has nine.

[Sidders]

While we're on the subject of cars, does anyone know the difference between unleaded petrol and super unleaded petrol? I picked up the wrong nozzle at the garage earlier this week...

[Console]

From memory, Super unleaded has a higher octane level (or something like that) meaning your car can go faster, or accelerate quicker, I'm not sure.

[Sidders]

Wow, I can be a boy racer.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

its about 2p isnt it?

[siilver]

no difference at all
they sya it should but it dont really

its just a bit better for the car

[Sidders]

My car was running pretty smooth today actually. Maybe it's a psychological thing.

[cossie_baz]

super unleaded makes a difference as it is a higher ocatane fuel makes a slight performance enhancement but costs a bit more and burns quicker

[Betti911]

My insurance was £650 which I thought was expensive. Hopefully it'll be less next year. I have a fiesta and they are (touch wood) pretty reliable cars to drive.

Gaspode is right tho. Running a car is very expensive especially if you have to commute.

[siilver]

well im 21
and i drive a 1.4 tdi
and my insurance is £1600


well bad

[Quincy]

thats cos its a 1.4 you can only go over 1.1 when you been driving for 3 years with no accidents!

[siilver]

ya i do no that
and the turbo dnt help lol


love the car mind

[mustbeforsaken]

hi, im Ben and i'm from Pompey

[Solon]

following smoothly with the flow of the thread there.