Just passed my driving test, what car best for insurance? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Monday 26th August 2019

I've been checking out cars in my budget atm 500-1000, little engine cars like fiestas, saxos, polos and puntos! thing is, 2k a year for most of them? I'm new to all this so unsure if that's correct for small engines.

mmm-five

12,298 posts

313 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Most of the cost will be down to the 3rd party risk of you being a new driver - rather than the value/performance of the car you buy.

25 years ago I was paying a £1000 premium for a £600 Metro, so £2000 doesn't sound stupidly high to me.

12,738 posts

242 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Try finding something young people don't drive. Might be surprised.

M4cruiser

5,136 posts

179 months

Monday 26th August 2019

If you're new to insurance then you'll find it pretty complicated.
The premium relates to the risk (and also the company's profit etc).
The risk is dictated mainly by:-
- the insurance group of your car
- the experience of the driver
- the area you live in
- the value of your car
- modifications to the above

So, obtain a low-cost car with a low insurance group. An old Citroen C1 (ugh) might do it, or something like that.

Many young chaps are driving a C1, or an Up! for that reason.

... and wait until you are a year older than you are.

... and maybe have a black box (but that can be a two-edged sword).

Checkmate

762 posts

236 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Try looking at cars that young people don't usually drive. "Old man cars", modestly engined barges. Something full of wood and leather.
Put your parents on as named drivers in your policy.
Fully comprehensive is often cheaper than TPFT.
Limited mileage.
Be creative.

12,738 posts

242 months

Monday 26th August 2019

M4cruiser said:

If you're new to insurance then you'll find it pretty complicated.
The premium relates to the risk (and also the company's profit etc).
The risk is dictated mainly by:-
- the insurance group of your car
- the experience of the driver
- the area you live in
- the value of your car
- modifications to the above

So, obtain a low-cost car with a low insurance group. An old Citroen C1 (ugh) might do it, or something like that.

Many young chaps are driving a C1, or an Up! for that reason.

... and wait until you are a year older than you are.

... and maybe have a black box (but that can be a two-edged sword).

We've got a 107 which is basically the same as a C1. It's a fantastic little car, I love driving it. Infact I chose it today over the 190e.

98elise

32,493 posts

190 months

Monday 26th August 2019

sparks_190e said:

M4cruiser said:

If you're new to insurance then you'll find it pretty complicated.
The premium relates to the risk (and also the company's profit etc).
The risk is dictated mainly by:-
- the insurance group of your car
- the experience of the driver
- the area you live in
- the value of your car
- modifications to the above

So, obtain a low-cost car with a low insurance group. An old Citroen C1 (ugh) might do it, or something like that.

Many young chaps are driving a C1, or an Up! for that reason.

... and wait until you are a year older than you are.

... and maybe have a black box (but that can be a two-edged sword).

We've got a 107 which is basically the same as a C1. It's a fantastic little car, I love driving it. Infact I chose it today over the 190e.

My daughter has an Aygo (also the same as the C1/107) and I love driving it

robbor

Original Poster

47 posts

85 months

Monday 26th August 2019

thanks a lot for the replies guys, great help!

as for the drive something youngins wouldn't drive, any suggestions? lol I'm guessing anything over 1.4l is still going to be killer on the insurance?!

carlove

7,905 posts

196 months

Monday 26th August 2019

When I got my first car a few years ago, I was surprised how cheap a Saab 9-3 1.8 (it was an 05 car IIRC) was to insure, much cheaper than the Corsas and Fiestas. Sadly when I viewed it I realized it was well past it's best. I ended up with a Ka, which was only about £800 for a year. I did get my first car at 20, but Corsas were still £2k to insure.

Worth checking things like Mondeos, Vectras or if you see one a Saab 9-3.

ZX10R NIN

30,525 posts

154 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Haltamer

2,670 posts

109 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Civic 1.4; Try the 8th Gen.

Not many young drivers; Low power to please the insurers, and plenty of things you can do to it thanks to the relation to the Type R (Bodykits etc)

carlove

7,905 posts

196 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Corolla is a good shout, my uncle has one, has had for a few years now and does a fair few miles and it's never missed a beat.

Ali_T

3,379 posts

286 months

Monday 26th August 2019

We bought a MiTo Twin Air (105bhp) for my son to learn in. It’s registered to my wife and we’re both named drivers but the insurance has my son as main driver and it’s only £950 for the first year. No requirement for a black box. That was through Admiral.

12,738 posts

242 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Ali_T said:

We bought a MiTo Twin Air (105bhp) for my son to learn in. It’s registered to my wife and we’re both named drivers but the insurance has my son as main driver and it’s only £950 for the first year. No requirement for a black box. That was through Admiral.

As first cars go, that's pretty cool cool

WonkeyDonkey

2,579 posts

132 months

Monday 26th August 2019

Try insurers that arent on price comparison websites (aviva,direct line etc). Try putting a parent on the insurance as named driver.

Be creative with your job title.

T6 vanman

3,512 posts

128 months

Monday 26th August 2019

sparks_190e said:

Ali_T said:

We bought a MiTo Twin Air (105bhp) for my son to learn in. It’s registered to my wife and we’re both named drivers but the insurance has my son as main driver and it’s only £950 for the first year. No requirement for a black box. That was through Admiral.

As first cars go, that's pretty cool cool

Just bought T6 junior a Honda CR-Z (the world's cheapest scruffiest CR-Z smile

) and for him (18) being registered keeper and main user but with me as a named driver for fully comp and just passed test (he's still learning but we did a passed test quote to check costs) it was just over £1.1k, this was £200 more than a VW Fox (the cheapest car quote we got)

Madness60

634 posts

213 months

Monday 26th August 2019

I've just gone through same thing with my eldest. Just got him a Honda Civic 2007 1.8 petrol and the insurance was just under £900 after he had passed the test with me and his mum also insured on. It is black box insurance with a big excess but no curfews or other daft stuff and he gets up to 15% back if he drives safely.

138 bhp and 8.9 secs to 60 is a bit better than my first car, Fiat Uno Fire with a massive 45 bhp and who knows 0-60 time!

robbor

Original Poster

47 posts

85 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019

thanks again guys I've got some quotes for around 1k a year now, a question though do I have to pay around 500-600 for the first month of insurance or am I reading it wrong?

12,738 posts

242 months

Tuesday 27th August 2019

robbor said:

thanks again guys I've got some quotes for around 1k a year now, a question though do I have to pay around 500-600 for the first month of insurance or am I reading it wrong?

Not usually no. If you pay monthly you may pay a few pounds more the first month, then the same amount each month thereafter.

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

255 months