Car for a learner / yound driver

Car for a learner / yound driver

Author
Discussion

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,768 posts

183 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
Step-lad turns 21 shortly.

In the past he's been a bit of an idiot - he's now sorted himself out nicely and it's time for a bit of a reward.

Budget is tight £500 or so. Might stretch up to a grand. Not into buying a diy project if I can help it... Been there done that. I do work on the theory that cheap for 12 months is best as a first car.

Insurance is not as big as an issue as normal. He get's 50% off - as long as it is a car that Direct Line group will cover.

At the moment I'm thinking 1.4 Polo or Golf (maybe up to 1.6 in Golf). We did sort of try this out a couple of years ago with a Clio and Pug 307 - and they were both a nightmare.

Anyone know anything about the above reliability? Anything to look for...

As an example - this is on my radar.. https://www.gumtree.com/p/volkswagen/golf-volkswag...

Defconluke

309 posts

153 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
Skoda Fabia.
Cheap, range of engines, plenty of parts fit if he wants to smarten it up and insurance should be super cheap with 50% off.

codenamecueball

529 posts

88 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
1.6 golf will kill you on insurance - came up close to £500 more for me over the 1.4 MK4.

Oops, just realised that isn't an issue! My apologies. 1.6 Golf is plentiful, cheap and parts are 10 a penny.

I've got a 53 plate 1.4 Match and while it does struggle to reach motorway speeds (3rd gear is essential to get anywhere close to acceleration) it's comfy, got a bit of space inside and is practical. Plus it's got a few airbags, big crumple bits and if I do make it go crunch there's a million others in reflex silver to get bits off.

Edited by codenamecueball on Monday 27th March 21:08

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,768 posts

183 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
codenamecueball said:
1.6 golf will kill you on insurance - came up close to £500 more for me over the 1.4 MK4
Just done a quick comparison - made £50 difference. Both about £2,400, before discount.

bearman68

4,642 posts

131 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
I bought a Yaris the other day. 2001, 155k miles for £200. Superb engine, and everything works. Skinny tyres, so not too much grip, and just a bit of a hoot. It's a 1.3, so I can't imagine it's loads to insure, and should be decent of fuel.
More reliable than the German stuff to.