Whatever you do,
don't get a ford Ka. Utter utter shite.

I don't think the 'French cars are shite' thing applies quite as much as it used to. They do have a fairly plasticky, cheap feel to them but they are reliable and cheap to maintain in the event something MAY go wrong (I'm thinking of My ex's Saxo, Brother's C6 and parents Xara Picasso).

I've had every type of cheap car you can imagine. My Renault 19 was fuggin awesome as was my mini. Neither went wrong and I only got rid as I couldn't afford insurance etc at the time. I've had 2x Vauxhall vectras (probably too big/difficult to insure for you) one of which I bought for £50 and a bottle of rum (he burst into flames on the motorway) and the one I'm currently running which cost a grand and is like a tank. It had a problem cutting out once (which I'm told is common) but I fixed it myself within half an hour after reading up on it a bit. I've had no problem since.

I think you need to be looking at: Fiesta's, Pug 106/205/206/306, Saxo, Ibiza, Polo, Corsa. And I reckon you'd be better off spending fuck all and dumping it when it goes wrong. You'll be surprised how long you go without having to buy a new car, won't get landed with massive bills and really won't give two shits if you bump/knock/prang it - which you inevitably will, being a N00b.
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:21, 4 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I had four Renaults
The first three were good motors. But my MkII Laguna was a disaster. It was forever needing fixed. And believe me, Renault parts are extremely expensive.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:23, Reply)

my main issue with French cars adn Vauxhalls is that of the load that I've driven
(and it is quite a number, hire cars and the like) not one of them has been nice to drive and comfortable.

the gear changes always feel wobbly and crap, seats are uncomfortable, all sorts of things like that.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:24, Reply)

I know it's designed as a rep car,
but my vectra is great. I regularly do 3hr+ journeys in it and never bother stopping because it's so comfy.
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:27, Reply)

My Lagunas (Lagunae?)
had very comfortable seats.

The worst cars I've driven for seat comfort were a Rover 400 (the one which became the 45 later on) and a Chevy Malibu in the US. It was like sitting on an unsupportive sponge.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:29, Reply)

I have a Ka and it's awesome
Never had any problems with it, cheap as chips to run/insure/MOT etc. Sure I can't burn out any turbo-diesel cars on the motorway, but it cruises at 80-90 happily.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:24, Reply)

They have dangerously wide rear pillars
resulting in a massive blind spot to the rear at each side. I've driving hundreds of cars and genuinely struggled with visability, I can't imagine what it'd be like for a new driver...
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:26, Reply)

I once dated someone with a similar affliction

(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:28, Reply)

once ed
am ing
*runs*
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:29, Reply)

I don't have dangerously wide rear pillars
*haughts*
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:41, Reply)

*hides*
*whimpers*
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:46, Reply)

It's my first car, had it for 2 years
Can't say I've noticed that problem, but I learnt in a (new) mini.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:28, Reply)

New minis are really fucking bad too
but suprisingly it's forward visibility in them that the problem.

The front windscreen is so short, it's hard to see overhead motorway signs plus the frankly HUGE rear view mirror takes up nearly 1/3 of the fucking windscreen!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:32, Reply)

The mini convertible is the only mainstream car on the market
that you aren't allowed to take your driving test in. Shit rear visibility with hood down or up.

this may not actually be true but I like the story.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 13:57, Reply)

I had a Ka for a while once, as a 'courtesy' car
It was shite. Engine sounded like it had sand in it, the back end skipped around on corners, the fuel consumption was pish for such a small car (42mpg) and it seemed quite nippy until you hit the national speed limit signs, then the 40mph+ acceleration was a tad ponderous.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:32, Reply)

I'm sure once I can afford to buy and insure a better car
That I'll look back and think "Christ, did I really drive one of those?"
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:34, Reply)

When you can afford a proper car
can we burn the Ka?
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:39, Reply)

No
I'll be trading it in, won't I...
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:39, Reply)

for a sandwich?

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:40, Reply)

HA!
I hate you.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:42, Reply)

for some testicles

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:42, Reply)

not if you lose it down the back of the sofa.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 13:58, Reply)

Ford Kas look sad
and they have saggy arses.

Also, it's really annoying that they're called Kas.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:24, Reply)

^this

(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:25, Reply)

it also bugs me that they have a car called the Cougar
and 4x4 called the Kuga. Stupid Ford being dicks.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:36, Reply)

And a Puma too
Taxonomy distinction fail.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:37, Reply)

Just as well
they're not built by Jaguar.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:40, Reply)

haha

( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Tue 29 Jun 2010, 12:48, Reply)