First time cars for the self concious

It's now my turn to introduce myself, I'm Roman, and I'm one of those people who can't like a car unless it has style. This is probably because I want to be a car designer at some point in the future, so I take my criticism of looks a little more seriously than perhaps I should. Incase you might be wondering, I think the greatest car of all time is the Ferrari 250 GT. Now, I know what you're thinking, in terms of raw facts, this car doesn't stand a chance against... say, a BMW M3, but that's not the point. A BMW M3 has good looks, the power bulge on its bonnet gives it a mean, powerful look; but the Ferrari is the definition of beauty. Few cars of late have come to rival it, with the notable exception of the Alfa Romeo 8C.

So now the big question is, what is the best looking car for first time buyers? Well, I'll split my selection up into three categories: less than £1000, £1000 to £5000 and £5000 to £10000.

Let's start with the sub £1000 cars, and to be honest, this is a hard one. What are the usual suspects? Ford fiestas, Ford Orions and Astras comprise the main bulk of this category. If I wanted to be really honest, all cars in this category are hideous, but, I have spotted a few gems. If you don't mind going for a tatty Mitsubishi FTO, then you'll be cruising in the cheapest ride around which will get peoples heads turning. Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration.

I have a lot more room to manouvre now in the £1000 to £5000 category. The no doubt winner of this sector is the Alfa Romeo GTV. Yes, ok, apart from looks this car has nothing going for it. Chances are you'll end up on the side of the motorway trying to cool the leaking engine that's just gone up in a bloom of smoke. But my god, you'll be the best looking motorist to ever break down on the m4.

This brings me on to my final category for those of you who have very rich parents who happen to own their own insurance companies. Well, some scouring on secondhand car websites have thrown up an unlikely, but indeed very worthy winner. The BMW Z4. Yep, even I didn't know you could snap one up at this sort of price range, but shows what I know doesn't it? Ok, for this sort of car, you're looking at the business end of a 5-10k price range, but hey! we've all got to indulge in life sometimes.

Roman

Me and my Fiat (Fix It Again Tomorrow)

Hello and welcome to First Gear! My name is Franco (for those of you who didn't read Roman's intro), unfortunately for you I was born with a genetic condition which makes my opinions biased towards all Italian cars.

I own a 1972 Fiat 500, and before you ask, no I cannot drive yet, but nor can the little Fiat as it too has a genetic condition affecting most of its Italian cousins, the R-word; rust. Nowadays people take test drives, discuss the handling and comment on the interior and optional extras, but when buying a classic Italian car you have to compromise those insignificant features and buy it on looks alone.

The truth is that it does not have the consecrated piece of paper that is an MOT. It seems that my original plan of it being fixed in a few months has turned into an endless journey of repairs. Factory fitted accessories on my Lusso (meaning luxury in Italiano) model include reclining seats, complete with matching plastic dashboard with an inbuilt ashtray for the disposal of used cancer sticks, and external chromework which has expired its useby date. It does lack a few things in terms of ICE, such as a radio, amplifier and speakers, but it does have a reading light which is very important for seeing things in the dark. My main aim is to get it working and enjoy the passion of driving around in my rear engined Italian classic. Although my school mates seem to choose to deafen themselves to the sound of Drum and Bass in their ghastly attempts to pimp out their cars with everything under the value of 50p in the Car Styling section of Halfords.