Best car for a 18 year old 'just passed' driver,£15k budget

[CBurgess97]

Ahoy!,
This is my first thread on this forum and I would like to tap into the wealth of knowledge of this site if you'll have me. I have just passed my test and thus would like to buy my first car, my parents have given me a budget of £15000 which INCLUDES 1 year of insurance. So far I have looked at the new Corsa, 308 and 3008 and at the moment I really like the 3008 and it comes in at under budget if I buy second hand (~£9000). Ideally the car would be able to meet Afew requirements.
-Stylish, suitable for an 18y/o
-powerful enough to drive from Newcaste to Aberdeen through the Scottish border
-within budget (I could probably stretch to 16k if I put my own money in, which I don't want to given the fact I'm going to uni)
-diesel? I have been informed that diesel is much better

any helps would be much appreciated!
thanks so much,
CBurgess97

[CBurgess97]

Wow thanks for the fast responses and warm welcome!!,
I haven't really looked at cars <2005 in all honesty, are there any stand out ones anyone can think of off the top of their head? Preferably with chick appeal . The 3008 is really really nice inside eventhough it looks like an MPV, keep the comments coming please
many thanks

[CBurgess97]

Well my eyes have been well and truly opened to older cars, that BMW looks very nice! To be perfectly honest though I think 2005 would be the oldest my parents would allow me to buy for longevity reasons. The 3008 I was looking at was a 2014 facelift one with all leather interior, it had a three part boot hatch which I thought would be really useful for the beach or something. To the person doubting my taste for an 18 year old, there are ski slopes in northern Scotland which I would like to utilise hence the huge boot and high ride height. To be honest Id prefer to spend above £9000 as I think it's a sort of "buy a car" deal where they wont give me any money I don't spend out of the budget, that sounds harsh but Id rather get the best I can.

Edited by CBurgess97 on Tuesday 24th March 11:05

[CBurgess97]

I know what my parents are like, they won't give me the remaining money to invest so investment is not an option . If it was I would spend 2k on a car and then buy 13k of premium bonds but sadly I cannot. Im checking out the suggestions though.
thanks,

[CBurgess97]

@KJ ah so now you're bringing your opinion on my situation into this! Can we please just keep this on the car please? rather than making sly jabs... i know how car insurance works and how it is calculated.

[CBurgess97]

nono im not set on the 3008 by any means http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif it was just one which i had looked at yesterday in the dealership, thanks for the links!

[CBurgess97]

Thats exactly what i want http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif ! ideally i would want a 300hp fast car but im just thinking in terms of insurane that may be problematic in the long run, ive never really looked at young peoples cars or anything before because i originally didnt want to drive until after university. Any rediculously powered options with sub group 17 insurance?

[CBurgess97]

I suppose a 3008 doesnt have chick appeal i wont get a 3008 guys, dont worry.

[CBurgess97]

Many good suggestions thanks a lot everyone I've definitely expanded my horizons a bit in terms of choice which is exactly what I wanted! For all those saying save the money and invest... I've already said that any 'saved' money by buying a cheaper car will stay with my parents, not go in my bank account. Also for those saying that I'm a horrible person and or implying the like because I want to spent as much of my parents money as possible, my parents have properties and are both retired so they really do not need the money.

[CBurgess97]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! If I'm totally honest I'm disappointed at the range of new/relatively new cars I could get for that sort of money. I was expecting to be looking at M3's, Porshe Boxters etc but instead can get a 1.6 at the maximum most of the time... Disappointing and damaging to the car hobby if young people can't get drivers cars. I've decided to down the classic route for those that care having found out that the insurance is much cheaper and the car will not depreciate. I have narrowed it down to a '66 Mustang, Volvo P1800 or a Mercedes W114. I looked at a thunderbird but it was 10mpg which is rediculous, I can get 25 out of the mustang which is pretty good in my books. Obviously whatever I get will get vinyl wrapped and given a spruce up.
thanks

[CBurgess97]

Im actually not a troll thank you very much!

[CBurgess97]

The modern hatchbacks are quicker than the '69 mustang so surely that means I'm less likely to die? Also I've been pretty lucky in terms of not being killed so I think I've got a pretty good chance James Dean was really young when he got a Porsche and it worked well with him for Afew years

[CBurgess97]

I can get a 220SE insured for less than a new Corsa, quite rediculous I know! The mustang is out of the question now though because of the mpg