buying a car for the 1st time

[Officialusername]

I've recently passed my driving test, I have the money for my first car but I have a problem about getting the car. I am so disheartened when none of my family are even sowing the slightest interest in helping me. I found a good run around car and they wouldnt take me to go get it. I was 78 miles away, which is a considerable distance I am aware, but I offered petrol money. I cannot find anything in my area with a small engine that would be cheap for me to insure, as I live in a small town. I would have to travel to the city and the thought of driving alone, for the very first time, without anyone with me is daunting. My family just dont care about me. Is there any cheap places that would ship the car to you or should I just go myself and be brave about the city driving? :(

[ummmm]

Buying a car for the first time would hold no interest for me either.

Do you have any idea how long it takes to drive 78 miles?

[mikey4444]

The previous answer was just stupid and you should ignore it.

It would seem to me that you have a greater problem than buying a car. Why are your family so dreadful to you ? Are we talking about mother, father, brother, sister, or more distant relatives ? Seems odd that so many people can be so horrible.

Most small towns have a selection of garages these days. You haven't said what car you are looking for exactly but I presume its a Fiesta, Polo, etc.

I would recommend that you try main dealers. They are less inclined to cheat you as they have more to lose if they get found out.

What about a neighbour, or perhaps a work colleague ? I'm sure that somebody will help you out, especially if you offer them some money for fuel.

[ummmm]

Why is it stupid?

Someone, anyone, buying a car, would hold no interest for me. You can't expect people to be interested just because they are related.

Also, not everyone has the time to do a 78 mile round trip. Petrol money paid or not.

[jomifl]

If you have passed your driving test you can drive in a city. It is a lot easier to drive out of a city than to find somewhere in it. If I was in your situation I would by a car from a main dealer that participates in the manufacturers used car warranty scheme. You can make delivery of the car to your home a condition of sale, they could say 'no' but they do have to sell cars!

[Rubyrose]

My sister recently passed her test and I took her to get her car but we're talking about 5 miles up the road. I don't think I'd have othered had it been more than 30miles!

You shouldn't let the fact that you're family aren't interested detract from the fact that you've passed your test and the excitement of buying a car. Just remember it when they are asking you for lifts later on.

I don't know where abouts you live but not far from me, there is a place called Repairable Vehicles which is where I got mine and a few of my friends have bought cars from there too. They do all kinds of cars and the cars have been in accidents, some small and some major but they are ones that have all been written off by the insurance company even if they just had a little bump as it was cheaper to write them off than repair them. I got a nice Golf and it had a little bump on the from left side and that was it. I've had it a year and a half and it's been great.

Rx

[FredPuli43]

If you were thinking of driving solo anything like 78 miles for the first time, you'd best not. It's not because of the time or the distance in itself, it's because you will find it very tiring mentally and, oddly, physically. That presents a risk.

You have probably only driven for an half an hour or so before,
concentrating hard when you did it, and you had someone to spot trouble.

It's easy for experienced drivers because a) they usually know the route, and don't need a map or satnav or to keep looking for direction signs and b), above all, most of the time they're on autopilot; they've encountered the same problems, and spotted the potential risk that matters out of all the hundreds of things around them, thousands of times, and are not even conscious of doing it. You still have to think, all the time, about everything; your road reading is not highly developed yet. The effort tires you out.

A drive round your own patch, which you know well, is best. Incidentally, it's surprising how little you notice as a passenger; you may get lost in your own town! For a first solo on country roads, 15 or 20 miles is surely plenty. In town, if you drive half an hour it'll feel enough., certainly in London ! Then you can build as you get used to it.

[alex2877]

Could you not offer to pay the person you are buying the car off to drive it to you, then offer to drive he/she back to there address. That will allow you to get a feel of the car with somebody in it and also the journey you will be taking back on your own!

[EcclesCake]

Have you actually seen and test driven this car or does it just match your search criteria?

You've previously said that you nothing about cars or how to go about buying one and I fear you are putting yourself at risk of being ripped off.

You can't be sure that the car advertised is any good and you could end up with a wasted journey, going with out someone who has a grasp of mechanics is a tad naive IMHO. I believe you can pay RAC or AA to do a basic check for you, look into it as it could save you a big headache in the long run.

You've presumable been getting buy OK using a bike/shanks pony/public transport up until now, I understand your keenness to get your own car but don't be too hasty. If you are worried about losing your driving skills you could look into having a fortnightly lesson covering the likes of motorway driving.

Good luck.

[Officialusername]

I personally think my family should be making 100% of an effort to help me for the following reasons; if I pick up a car and break down, what then? If I go alone, I could get lost. If the car acts weird, I'd appreciate help. Comfort that I have someone to follow home, would ideally keep me more content. This is a big step, and everyone I know who has cars, have had help significantly from their family. Ummm you say, if it is of no interest then why take interest? Isn't that a selfish approach to look at it? Its more safety implications and guidance I am needing. I suppose if I done the long journey myself and were involved in a road traffic accident, that would not play on them, for not helping me when I asked. Not that I have used that card on them, I haven't even reacted, because I am so disappointed in all of them. There are many times in life, certain situations occur, which is of no interest to me, friends problems etc...but being a good friend that you are you help to your best abilities. To say they shouldn't take interest if its not interesting to them is selfish. All my life I have went through life myself, I never asked much from anyone and I very much feel alone right now. If I cannot turn to my family, its a sad state of affairs.

I have decided to just go alone and risk this. If I want a car, that has a small engine, with an older reg, then I have to travel out with the town I am in. I will have a look around the garages and ask for their help, however I don't have lots to spend on a car.

[Officialusername]

I also know nothing on cars, I don't know anyone who is trained in this and no one has helped me at all. I'm pretty much alone. But hey, this will only make me stronger and independent. I don't need them.

[jomifl]

If you have local car repair shops then find one that has a good reputation for honesty and fairness, tell them what you are looking for and ask them to find one for you. If they are local they won't rip you off because it would damage their reputation, also if you have any problems they will fix them cheaply. They will make a profit on it but not as much as a main dealer as their overheads are lower.