I agree with Scotty. Like it's been said before, you only really learn to drive after you've passed your test. Having to concentrate on driving as well controlling a more powerful car and being careful not to prang it could be a lot to deal with. I had a 1993 1.0L Fiat Uno as my first car and if I clipped the curb or got the odd scratch here and there it didn't bother me. Also didn't have to worry about wrapping it round a tree because the car hardly moved!

Afternoon,

I have been watching this debate for a while now and I have finally decided to put my opinion accross.

When I was 17, I had lots of near misses, spins and close calls in a 1.4 Astra. I felt I knew enough to drive properly but I didn't. Arrogance, confidence and a sheer lack of respect was all I posessed. Even though I bought a mini 998 afterwards(fab car but a pile of rust)and spent many a night in the snow learning to control skids and stop locking the brakes, the arrogance, confidence and risk taking was still there.

This all came to head when I was 19 and bought a Fiests Si 16V (only 90bhp)and within 3 months I managed to spin four times, crash into the central reservation at 90mph and totalled the car. The worst part of this was the fact that I had friends with me and although we walked away, it could have been a lot worse.

You would have figured this would have taught me a lesson, but alas it did not. The follwoing year I was taking a corner too fast and eneded up going through a hedge and again, my friends were with me.

It wasn't until I completed advanced lessons that I realised my driving skills were very poor, my ability to read the road and look for dangers was non existent. Since this my driving skills improved in every aspect, so much so that I passed a company driving permit to be allowed to drive 400bhp vehicles.

I stongly believe that no 17 year old owns a vehicle with more that 75bhp for the first few years and that they sit advanced lessons until such time they are competent enough to handle a vehicle with an increased power output. It is easy to take a car to the limit but there is a fine line between being in control and passing the point of no return, which I and many of my friends encountered, one of which was in crutches for 6 months.

The thing that you have to remember is that there are other innocent drivers out there who become involved in accidents through no fault of their own by young and old drivers taking too much of a chance. Imagine loosing your licence and facing criminal prosecution due to dangerous driving in causing an accident in which, a child is killed.

My recommendation is to buy a vehicle with a smaller engine, run it for a few years to gain experience to reduce your insurance premiums and then enjoy a Fiest ST with the knowledge and drivings skills it requires.

I will get off my soap box now. I hope this does not sound like a lecture but it is worth thinking about.

Chris

Scotty I don't get drunk I look after things which I have to pay for becuase I have repsect I don't have anything to proove I have a GF and need not proove anything

Scotty don't worry about it I know what your saying I am just voicing my opion!

I love my clio and if I damage it I get pissed off cus I know its my cash paying for it!

I could go racing if I wanted to but I know I wont

Think its a waiste of money buying a nice and expensive car when u a new driver. Used to know someone when he pass he driving test his parents bought him a brand new Audi TT and he crash it on motorway fews months later and his not the only example another friend got a peugeot 206 and he crash it fews times already and he wanted to buy my ST but knew how he was driving I ask his dad cos I didn't wanted to feel guilty if he was to crash know how drive he would have

Scotty How are things ? Haven't spoke to you in a while

I notice that max st hasn't responded on here since the original post, so I am interested to know what he decided to do ??
I would generally say that it isn't a great idea to buy a Fez ST for a first car, not because we assume that the OP isn't a good driver but because we all know what it means to have a `first` car. I got my first car in 1998 and it was a 1.6 1985 Ford Escort, which was falling to pieces. I reckon it had about 50bhp left in it (if that) and although it was rusting and burning oil, I looked after it like my life depended on it. The major point I'm trying to make is that everybody makes mistakes and although I never crashed it, I mounted kerbs and reversed into a pole. It wasn't because I drove too fast or couldn't control the car, it was because I was young and inexperienced.
My advice? Buy a reasonable car for £1500 and run it for a couple of years, get the little mistakes out of the way and then use it (along with some cash) as part exchange for an ST or whatever else takes you're fancy (you'll really appreciate it!!!)

I agree with what others have said. You don't really learn how to drive until you've passed your test. You could be 17 and have the best intentions in the world but until you've been on the road by yourself for a bit you never know how you're going to react to certain situations.

I'm not saying its just young people cos i think that whatever age you pass your test you need to get used to the road and the driving standards of other motorists before you get anything like an ST be it at 17 or 47! But unfortunately young people are more likely to be showing off to mates. i know i was sometimes 17/18 and i had any of my mates in the car i drove differently to when i was by myself.

It only takes one mistake and that could be you gone (sorry if that sounds harsh)

At the end of the day its your choice and we're only giving our opinions. Let us know what you decide

I love cars since I can remember. I got my driving licence immediately after I was 18 as in my country you have to be 18 in order you can go for your licence. My first car was my father's R19 1.4L. And this was the best thing as otherwise I can not be 100% sure if I would be writting here. Driving my father's car I was driving "carefuly" because I knew that the car costed him hard earned money and his life depends on his car for going to work... But altought after some time you get your licence and you are in to cars you will try something stupid. Thanks god in the 3-4 occasions I was realy near total crash something helped me and my father still has his car. Than I bought myself when I was 25 a clio 1.4L. It was my first car. I could not immagine my life from than on withot a car. But still I love cars I love motorsports so still sometimes I was driving on the limit. Than one night last year I was out with my friends. Driving back home at 5am in the morning one car behind me was provocating me so in some curves I showed him that I can lose him with my poor clio. My brother immediately loughted at me and on the stright I slowed and the car behind me passed me. The stright is 1 km long at the end there is a left right which you can do safely at 90-100 km/h. When I entered the first left corner after the stright I saw in front of me only smoke. I begun breaking and I managed to stop the car before the smoke. When me and my brother went out the car to see what is happening we saw that the car that passed me had a head collision with another car. It was a total mess. In the car that passed me there were 3 young boys and all three were dead. This picture will remain in my head for all my life. At the begining of this year I got my ST and I have to say that I am affraid of it. I am 28 I have my driving licence for 10 years now but I can say that I do not have enought experience to drive my new love on the limit. I am taking in to serious consideration to attend some special driving courses.

Agreeing with most of the others, dont get an ST first as you will definately ding it. I had a 1.4 Corsa as my first car and that felt really fast, although it probably wasnt. Basically whatever you get will feel very fast, and it would be better for you to start with something you can prang and in a year get an ST. Thats my 2p anyhow.

And also remember,YOU may drive slow and careful but theres nutters out there that don't and without some exp in defensive driving etc then simple lack of road time could very well catch you out and mean the diff between reading the situation and avoiding a prat or getting wiped out.

Trust me,even with blue strobe lights flashing,2 tone sirens blaring,and white car with POLICE plastered all over it in bright yellow I still have to use every inch of my drivng exp and training at times,not because ive messed up (though it happens ) but because of other road users not paying attention.

You have got years an years to get a real nice car,just be a little patient and get some driving exp behind you,you are supposed to be able to enjoy your motors,not worry every inch of the journey about a scratch or a dink as your paying more on the insurance than the cars worth (well maybe not quite)

I met someone last night he has had 4 cars since last July

1 - pug 106 (flipped it)
2 - Pug 106 gti in yellow ( got bored)
3 - Sea grey zs Pxed it for a st
4 - Blue St