u/rufous_nightjar

I've test driven a 2012 Hyundai i30 1.4l petrol engine which seemed in great condition and the price was competitive. I've agreed to go ahead with the purchase pending an AA pre-check.

I just wanted to check something with the community since I know very little about cars and what I should expect from an older one. I learnt in a newer car (new-seeming Vauxhall Corsa) and driven a parent's car (2014 Ford Fiesta with the 1l eco boost engine). Both move off easily with clutch only but I found I needed to add gas for the Hyundai to move off. I can't tell if this is because of the relatively small engine or if I just didn't have a good grip on the bite point. I was also a little dishevelled at that point because I'd had a hard time reversing it out of the showroom down a narrow alleyway (haha) and was keen to just get going.

Anyway if this is the case, is it normal if it only moves off with help from the gas pedal? If so and the issue is the smallish engine, I guess I should expect to have to do hill starts with handbrake all the time, unless I master the bite point and find some hidden torque in there in the meantime? I don't have a problem with that if I give myself time to get used to it.

I'm sure the AA pre-check will highlight it if there are any true issues, but this has just been playing on my mind a bit. Any insights much appreciated.

Edit: In hindsight, I was reversing with just the clutch before I found I could only move off in first gear with help from the gas.

Edit 2: I appreciate “gas” is an Americanism but that seems to be the terminology, in the context of my lessons at least.

Asking here for real people’s views because my research has been totally AI-, YouTube-, and article-driven—I know almost nothing about cars otherwise.

Is a ~2012-2014 Hyundai i30 1.4l manual petrol with up to 80k miles a good first car? My budget is £3-5k but I’d like to get in at the lower end if possible. My priorities have been good space for backseat passengers on trips and a solid boot size. I mostly plan to use the car for trips rather than a lot of city driving.

I’ve looked at the 1.6l engine too but examples I’ve found are a little pricey when they have adequate mileage/age too.

I know solid service history and MOT check are crucial too and in that sense it comes down to the specific car and how it’s been cared for, but in general does anyone have any views on this as a first car? The other I’ve seriously considered is the Toyota Auris.

I’ll likely get a comprehensive AA pre-sale check before I drive out of the forecourt too.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I’m looking for a used manual with a ~£5k budget in the UK. I know very little about cars so on advice I’m looking for cars with under 50,000 miles on the clock but my results tend to show cars between 14-20 years old.

Does age matter if the mileage is low? For example, is it reasonable to pay my whole budget for a Honda Civic with good mileage that’s 18 years old and expect it to hold out for at least 5 years?

Thanks for any insights!