Poll: Extortionate car insurance

[sneakypenguin]

Dude 1.6 is kinda big for a first car,

ur better of with a 1.0 polo or lupo. 1.2 clio, etc etc

Geez kinda sureal to hear 1.6L a "big" car. I think my lawnmower is almost that big. I drive a "little" 3.0L V6.


I never really understood why women get charged so much less. If i'm not mistaken the have achieved the same accident rates as males. Though I shouldn't complain I pay 35 bucks a month.

Yeah, it's kinda weird hearing about engine size across the pond. My weedwhacker is probably bigger than 1.0L.

That being said, the SUVs and other giant unnecessary crap-haulers over here in the States need to go the way of the dodo. I want a Mini.

Eh, not quite we had a suburban for towing the camper with the 6 of us, then a dodge truck for work/play. So they still have their uses, that said I love coopers *lets motor*

 

[Red Albatross]

Dude 1.6 is kinda big for a first car,

ur better of with a 1.0 polo or lupo. 1.2 clio, etc etc

Geez kinda sureal to hear 1.6L a "big" car. I think my lawnmower is almost that big. I drive a "little" 3.0L V6.


I never really understood why women get charged so much less. If i'm not mistaken the have achieved the same accident rates as males. Though I shouldn't complain I pay 35 bucks a month.

Yeah, it's kinda weird hearing about engine size across the pond. My weedwhacker is probably bigger than 1.0L.

That being said, the SUVs and other giant unnecessary crap-haulers over here in the States need to go the way of the dodo. I want a Mini.

Eh, not quite we had a suburban for towing the camper with the 6 of us, then a dodge truck for work/play. So they still have their uses, that said I love coopers *lets motor*

I apologize, I should have added qualifying statements. For work purposes or if you actually have something you need to tow or haul, then that's okay.

But most of the time, in Suburbia, USA, when I see an SUV it's got nothing in the back and a single male driver who just got a giant vehicle to compensate for something else. And in hillbilly-land like where my folks live, the rednecks don't use their trucks for anything but mudding in each other's lawns. Sigh. That's what gets me.

 

[CrafterMan]

I can't really comment as I own a car, but have no insurance. Haha, It's not that I can't afford it, I just can't be bothered getting insurance.

 

[sneakypenguin]

,

I apologize, I should have added qualifying statements. For work purposes or if you actually have something you need to tow or haul, then that's okay.

But most of the time, in Suburbia, USA, when I see an SUV it's got nothing in the back and a single male driver who just got a giant vehicle to compensate for something else. And in hillbilly-land like where my folks live, the rednecks don't use their trucks for anything but mudding in each other's lawns. Sigh. That's what gets me.

Lol I agree people own them just becaue, though I do believe trucks/suvs should not be legislated out of ownership for the heck of it. I mean a Escalade nowdays emits less than my 10 year old mistsubishi. But thats a political view and i'll quit derailing this thread more lol I don't even know what it was about.

*checks*
Ahh insurance.

 

[Insomniac Gamer]

Dude 1.6 is kinda big for a first car,

ur better of with a 1.0 polo or lupo. 1.2 clio, etc etc

Geez kinda sureal to hear 1.6L a "big" car. I think my lawnmower is almost that big. I drive a "little" 3.0L V6.

European cars have typically have better suspensions and transmissions than American cars during most of their history. As a result, most of our cars have engine sizes not exceeding 2.5L, because the power can be transmitted onto the road more efficiently.

We also use more diesel cars (although I can't criticise the Americans for not using them over there - I wouldn't use your derv in a lorry, let alone a car, and your petrol is low-octane and rubbish as well), which provide the necessary torque for pulling trailers and caravans.

I mean a Escalade nowdays emits less than my 10 year old mistsubishi.

I don't think that the Escalade should be legislated out of existence for its emissions standard, or its poor fuel economy; it should be legislated out of existence because it's a vulgar piece of machinery, a "footballer's car", if you will.

Oh those are some strongly worded opinions, one of which I agree with, one is your entitled opinion and the other I'm indifferent to.
I'd love to own a sports car that cost 50K upward but the thing is, over here even those are usually 2.5L or less or maybe 3 in case of supercars. So yes that's true. But I wouldn't take a Mustang round a track because it had a "larger" engine. It would handle terribly and so I would take something like a Nissan GT-R (new skyline) or an Evolution IX. It would handle a lot better so despite power difference, the smaller engine wins.

About the petrol well...I've never really had the chance to directly compare the difference between American and UK petrol so I'm not in a position to say.

EDIT: Also the insurance would be off the charts

 

[Soxafloppin]

Dude 1.6 is kinda big for a first car,

ur better of with a 1.0 polo or lupo. 1.2 clio, etc etc

Geez kinda sureal to hear 1.6L a "big" car. I think my lawnmower is almost that big. I drive a "little" 3.0L V6.


I never really understood why women get charged so much less. If i'm not mistaken the have achieved the same accident rates as males. Though I shouldn't complain I pay 35 bucks a month.

yea but when your 17, hell a 0.7 litre smart car is still gonna be hell to insure.

 

[Sevre]

I'm amazed at the amount younger drivers have to pay for their insurance.

 

[Bat Vader]

It seems choosing not to drive has many money saving advantages. Plus I am scared to death of driving as well.

 

[Tranka Verrane]

I only just passed my test and got a car for the first time and my insurance, with breakdown cover, windscreen cover, and legal cover, came to about £300. So no, I don't think that's too much.

Then again I am 40 in August.

 

[Insomniac Gamer]

It seems choosing not to drive has many money saving advantages. Plus I am scared to death of driving as well.

Scared? Of what? As long as your careful and attentive to your surroundings the chances of you being in a serious accident are seriously reduced. Unless you're scared of actually moving the thing in which case just ask for lifts from friends etc.

 

[Bat Vader]

It seems choosing not to drive has many money saving advantages. Plus I am scared to death of driving as well.

Scared? Of what? As long as your careful and attentive to your surroundings the chances of you being in a serious accident are seriously reduced. Unless you're scared of actually moving the thing in which case just ask for lifts from friends etc.

Moving the thing is what scares me. I dread it. I know once I start feeling calm I will get into an accident. Plus I trust no others drivers on the road.

 

[wordsmith]

Ok I did the same details on the same car except made it so that it was a female 17 year old. It went from £4,392.28 as a guy to £1,601 as a female. Same car, Peugeot 106 1.6L 1996. I should form a complaints group about sexual discrimination on car insurance...

In all fairness, just look at the statistics (having said that, I've been googling for the last 5 minutes, but I can't find the source >.> Believe me or not, whatever). A person is most likely to crash within their first year of driving, and there are more motoring-related crimes (DUI, collision, speeding, illegal mods etc.) committed by males.

All this said, I think I can identify your problem from your first post...

a low power car... A Peugeot 106 1.6L 1996. ... £4,392.28.

You consider a 1.6 to be a "low power car"... I'm 18, I drive a Vauxhall Corsa 1L. Yup, that's right, it's powered by a freakin hampster. Some dumb tart waved me out in front of her, then as I was pulling forward she tried to drive around me. We agreed to pay for our own damages (for me it was about 15 seconds melting a plastic clip from the bumper back onto the chassis), then 9 months later I get a nice letter from my insurance saying "aren't we wonderful to help you out like this and pay that nice lady the £1k that you owe her for driving into her... Oh, and by the way, can you pay £700 (for a car that I paid £800 for more than a year ago) to stay legal?"
My advice would be get a cheap motorbike/moped, insure it and then leave it in the garage. Once you can drive, you'll have a years no-claims to go on.

Oh, and ffs- Go for something *small* like a 1.2, 1.4 AT MOST, not a 1.6 sports model?

 

[Insomniac Gamer]

About the petrol well...I've never really had the chance to directly compare the difference between American and UK petrol so I'm not in a position to say.

87 AKI octane petrol, which I believe is their standard grade, is terrible compared to the 91 AKI (95 RON) petrol which is used as the standard grade in Europe. Their premium grades are roughly equivalent to our standard grades.

The diesel that Americans use is apparently more full of sulphur than European diesel and has a lower cetane number to boot; it's not terribly well-refined.

Fixed. I live in the UK after all.

 

[Gruthar]

About the petrol well...I've never really had the chance to directly compare the difference between American and UK petrol so I'm not in a position to say.

87 AKI octane petrol, which I believe is your standard grade, is terrible compared to the 91 AKI (95 RON) petrol which is used as the standard grade in Europe. Your premium grades are roughly equivalent to our standard grades.

The diesel that Americans use is apparently more full of sulphur than European diesel and has a lower cetane number to boot; it's not terribly well-refined.

Yeah, diesel sucks here, but the US is moving to ULSD as well. Most of the stuff I see for sale is ULSD, and it will all be by next year. The problem with diesel here, besides quality, is that it's usually more expensive than gas. As such, not many people are willing to buy a diesel-powered sedan.

There's actually a fair bit of variation in US gas octane ratings. While 87 and 91 AKI are typically the norm for regular and premium respectively, there are regions (particularly on the east coast) in the US that sell 93 AKI gas. Most major towns will also have at least one gas station that sells 100 AKI gas, if you really want to burn a hole in your pocket.

Since most cars on the road here have low-compression, normally aspirated engines, though, there's not a whole lot of demand for higher octane gas...

 

[sneakypenguin]

Dude 1.6 is kinda big for a first car,

ur better of with a 1.0 polo or lupo. 1.2 clio, etc etc

Geez kinda sureal to hear 1.6L a "big" car. I think my lawnmower is almost that big. I drive a "little" 3.0L V6.

European cars have typically have better suspensions and transmissions than American cars during most of their history. As a result, most of our cars have engine sizes not exceeding 2.5L, because the power can be transmitted onto the road more efficiently.

We also use more diesel cars (although I can't criticise the Americans for not using them over there - I wouldn't use your derv in a lorry, let alone a car, and your petrol is low-octane and rubbish as well), which provide the necessary torque for pulling trailers and caravans.

Yeah we do generally have a more "cushy" car, though this has changed lately. Our roads just don't require handling as most are straight and wide open. I would love to use diesel but CA and the greenies kinda hate those things so we have only what VW brings us, but I love out Dodge diesel truck 21 MPG and freaking 600 LBS of torque.

And IDK if it was mentioned but we have 87-100 octane gas.

 

[slevin8989]

Yup it was the same with me it was i think a total of $400 dollars for just me and that was the simplest package but here's a video that might cheer you up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtEp5yc-g3A

 

[number2301]

@OP

A 106 GTi is a group 14 (group 1 being the cheapest, group 20 the most expensive) car with 120bhp, 0-60 in 7.odd. Or course it's going to be daft money. Look at an even half sensible car for your first, if you insist on getting a sports model look at a Saxo VTR or 106 XSi (roughly group 7 insurance).

@Americans

You have to remember that with 1.6 litres and 120bhp the 106 GTi only weighs around 800 Kgs so has a fair power to weight ratio. Not to forget those things called corners. On the B roads or on track a 106 or similar hot hatch (205 GTI being my favourite) will show up some seriously expensive machinery including muscle cars and some super cars.

Have a look at this -

Spoiler

http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/hardknottpass.htm

Yes that is a road.