General > New Member Intro's

First Car...

(1/2) > >>

hshofique:
So I just passed my driving test today, and being a 17 year old, I can't have a very expensive car as a first. I want to get a Golf and wouldn't mind either the MK4 or the MK5... I was wondering if I was to make a few OEM exterior changes, would I have to tell my insurance about it? For example, if I got a standard MK4 and changed the wheels on it to some Helios or GTI wheels, would I have to tell them?

Adam0604:
Yes, you would need to declare these to your insurer, or risk being scuppered should you be involved in a claim.

However, a fair few insurance providers will not increase premium for exterior modifications, so it's worth declaring! Mainly only see an increase in premium if putting on performance mods, for example, a remap.

Adam0604:

--- Quote from: hshofique on March 31, 2016, 04:28:32 pm ---
--- Quote from: Adam0604 on March 31, 2016, 04:21:05 pm ---Yes, you would need to declare these to your insurer, or risk being scuppered should you be involved in a claim.

However, a fair few insurance providers will not increase premium for exterior modifications, so it's worth declaring! Mainly only see an increase in premium if putting on performance mods, for example, a remap.

--- End quote ---

Oh right thanks mate.

Have you got any suggestions on any other first cars?

--- End quote ---

It's up to you really. I wouldn't be looking to go over a 1.2 for first car and first year of insurance, because the premium is so high. Can always look to jump up after first year when you have a years NCB under your belt.

Assuming parents have clean licenses, get them on insurance as additional drivers, you will probably find it reduces by circa £200. Maybe more.

AJP:
Get something cheap and reliable. No problem looking at sticking some alloys on, that kind of thing, but premiums for 17 year olds can be astronomical, so maybe it's a good idea to look for ways to get the premium down rather than bump it. Get a named driver on it, but don't 'front' it. (Google it).

Some insurers take the mickey with mods. I can only imagine that'd be magnified as a new young driver.

But..... You might get lucky. If you draw the line (for now) at lowering springs and a set of alloys you shouldn't narrow your insurance options down too much. Pick the right car and the right wheels and you'll have a sorted motor that you can obsess over, keep immaculately clean, learn about, that (most importantly) looks the dogs.

Going into more detail, I'd avoid Helios, as they're 19", and rubber will be expensive. The wheels themselves will be expensive too. No point putting a grand's worth of wheels and tyres on a car that might be worth less. Lots more choice in 18" and you can get tyres that'll work in an emergency for a decent price.

If you can find a good mk4 Bora, you might end up with a pretty special first car. From memory, the 130 diesel is a lower insurance group than the equivalent 130 diesel mk4 Golf. I'm not saying you should specifically go for a 130, but in theory a Bora would be cheaper to insure like for like against a Golf of the same engine. The 115 diesel is a good option to look at. Torquey, economical and reliable. It'll feel quite quick.

Don't get fixated on 'scene' mods. They're expensive and often pointless. Try and buy a standard car. Don't think about power upgrades, at all, for a few years.

Get a shortlist of 5 cars in your head. Phone round the insurance companies and get quotes on each, as standard, and then as modified with alloys and a drop. Then your shortlist should get shorter and you'll be in the position to go hunting.

Don't ever be tempted to modify the car and keep it quiet from the insurers. Big no no.

Good luck.

rashg60:
What's your budget?

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page