1st car for 18y.o

[Dadoc2001]

Hey all,
Friends of the family have asked me to help as I 'know' cars (apparently). Looking for a small car for a new 18 y.o driver who has just passed her test today - so low tax, running costs and insurance group are the focus. She would also prefer a 5 door but not essential.

Budget is 5k tops although theyd like to pay less if possible. The driver likes the Corsa (she learned in one) and Fiesta the usual go to. My suggestion so far is a finding low mile Jazz, Aygo, Yaris, Swift or Korean equivalent as I find Japanese are more likely to be reliable.

Anything else I should be directing them to?

Thanks in advance

[HocusPocus]

Recommend base model without "Gameboy" buttons on steering wheel. At this stage they need to keep looking outside for the pending accident rather than changing a sound or phone setting.

My kids had low powered manual VW golf or polo's, which were relatively cheap to run and reasonably solid if the worst happened.

[______]

Dadoc2001 said:

Hey all,
Friends of the family have asked me to help as I 'know' cars (apparently). Looking for a small car for a new 18 y.o driver who has just passed her test today - so low tax, running costs and insurance group are the focus. She would also prefer a 5 door but not essential.

Budget is 5k tops although theyd like to pay less if possible. The driver likes the Corsa (she learned in one) and Fiesta the usual go to. My suggestion so far is a finding low mile Jazz, Aygo, Yaris, Swift or Korean equivalent as I find Japanese are more likely to be reliable.

Anything else I should be directing them to?

Thanks in advance

Check insurance groups, Corsa can be group 2 - some of the others you mentioned group 12+. Huge cost difference for new driver.

[lornemalvo]

Based on personal experience, 5 door Skoda Citigo. Outstanding car in all respects, Drive one, you'll understand

[richardxjr]

Fiat 500 and Ford Ka share same 1.2 engine, we have a Fiat 500S which is great fun and regulary does 100mile round trips by the elder lad. Up to 2015 is pre-dash screen but has bluetooth for phone and Aux in.

Pop is base, S is sport trim + aircon, Lounge is pan roof + aircon without sport adornments.

3 doors of course and the rear seats are pretty useless for actually carrying people I'd guess.
Good, you don't want them carting loads of mates around.

[sawman]

the fiat 500 is a great option - We have had a 1.2 S in the fleet for 5 years - both the kids learned to drive in it, and now they are at uni' I use it. Covered over 50k miles since we have had it with very few issues - biggest single expense has been replacing rusty sump, oh and the door handle fell off - but easy to replace.

pretty comfortable to drive, if you get on with the driving position - I have done a 500mile trip in a single day, with minimal aches and pains

I recently thought about trading it in and went to have a go in a citygo - didnt much like. Might chop it in for an abarth though!

[BetterLoretta]

Niece has a 2013 Vauxhall Adam 1.2.
Bought 2.5 years ago, 1 owner and 20k miles, £5k.
Her first year fully comp insurance at 18 was £890 with no black box, 2nd year insurance was £308 including travel to work.

Ok, it’s not the newest, trendiest ‘happening’ first car, but it’s bloody cheap.

[ZX10R NIN]

Fiat 500 Lounge:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211051...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208138...

[pembo]

lornemalvo said:

Based on personal experience, 5 door Skoda Citigo. Outstanding car in all respects, Drive one, you'll understand

We had a 3 door mii as our only family car for a little while and loved it.

[Spydaman]

Get him a classic Beatle. Cheap insurance, too slow to get in-any real trouble, teach him home maintenance then sell it for more than he paid for it.

[Dadoc2001]

ZX10R NIN said:

Fiat 500 Lounge:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211051...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208138...

Thanks to all who have replied. 3 Inc yourself @ZX10R NIN have identified the 500 as a good starter? Are they reliable? My sis bought one new not long after they came out and I remember thinking it looked tired after 3 years 25k.

[ZX10R NIN]

Dadoc2001 said:

Thanks to all who have replied. 3 Inc yourself @ZX10R NIN have identified the 500 as a good starter? Are they reliable? My sis bought one new not long after they came out and I remember thinking it looked tired after 3 years 25k.

Yes they're a good car the engine is pretty much bulletproof, they really are a good option.
They also have a non interference engine which is a bonus.

[itcaptainslow]

First generation Aygo/C1/107 - they really are tough, fun, cheap to run little things that are easy to DIY fix, and with plentiful bits/panels should it get pranged.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

My son has a Punto. Great little car. We went to Spa Francorchamps and back over a weekend in 2021.

[georgeyboy12345]

One of these

Fiat 500 TwinAir
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212102...


VW Up 1.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212192...


Mazda 2 1.3 TS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211262...


Seat Ibiza 1.0 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...


Hyundai i20 1.2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...


Ford Fiesta 1.2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...


Citroen C1 1.0i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211272...