Car for teenager and a bit of towing?

[cheeky_chops]

My current car is a fiat abarth so doesnt fit the bill at all

I want a car so my kids can learn and occasionally drive when passed - we are all 6ft+. I also want something i can tow a sailing dinghy or my Ariel Atom to tracks 150+miles away, trailer plus car i guess approx 1100kg.

Obv its finding a sweet spot between size, insurance and not having to tow with 70bhp.... Budget is approx £5k. Any suggestions? What kind of premiums are people paying with kids as additional driver, havent checked with the abarth as it will be bonkers!

[Dan_The_Man]

2.0 Petrol Subaru Forester, tows 1.5 tons and cost £100 to add my eldest kid as a driver.

[ZX10R NIN]

I think you're looking for the impossible if you want a decent tow car then it'll probably be auto & not so insurance friendly for a new driver.

Maybe split the budget?

[HustleRussell]

Any ordinary saloon will tow 1100kg. I had a Mondeo for this when I was 19.

[cheeky_chops]

thanks for the ideas - doesnt have to be class leader at any of the requirements, just capable. Most of the time it will be on the drive as i work from home. Weekends we use the missus car (i-pace so no chance of insuring or towing >750kg)

[HustleRussell]

Octavia?

[aka_kerrly]

Thought this topic was going to be about this news story,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-65...

• 14 year old lad caught towing a caravan down the M4*

[C70R]

HustleRussell said:

Any ordinary saloon will tow 1100kg. I had a Mondeo for this when I was 19.

This. The choice is absolutely massive, and can be tailored to what you want.

I suspect you're not going to get a 'small' car that is happy towing 1200kg for a few hours, because of physics.

I don't know why, but the Vauxhall Signum popped into my head as a potential option. It's a hatchback, based on the Vectra chassis, but slightly shorter (so easier to learn in potentially). However, there was the option of a 2.2i petrol engine, which should be fairly robust and offers a towing capacity of 1500kg.

[Burgerbob]

If big enough inside, something basic like a focus or Astra is what I'd go for. Hopefully not too bad to insure, and not too precious if it has a small prang with a new driver.

I used to tow a 1400kg caravan with a 2013 Astra. It was at the weight limit but towed well (apart from the auto box, which seemed to get confused when towing as to which gear was best...)

[georgeyboy12345]

These are group 10 or under and can tow more than 1100 kg


Nissan Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303285...


Toyota Auris 1.6 VVT-i SR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...


Vauxhall Astra 1.6 16v SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...


Renault Megane 1.4 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212232...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Thursday 30th March 21:31

[pocketspring]

Surprised no one has mentioned a Volvo of some sort.

[C70R]

Actually, I think I have a winner. The second generation Audi A3 2.0 TFSI, specifically the 5dr 'Sportback'.

Like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031753...

It's about as straightforward as a 5dr hatch gets to learn in, it's simple to maintain (VAG parts bin stuff), and it will tow 1800kg.

[Alex Z]

C70R said:

Actually, I think I have a winner. The second generation Audi A3 2.0 TFSI, specifically the 5dr 'Sportback'.

Like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031753...

It's about as straightforward as a 5dr hatch gets to learn in, it's simple to maintain (VAG parts bin stuff), and it will tow 1800kg.

How much will insurance be with newly qualified teenagers?

[HustleRussell]

Alex Z said:

C70R said:

Actually, I think I have a winner. The second generation Audi A3 2.0 TFSI, specifically the 5dr 'Sportback'.

Like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031753...

It's about as straightforward as a 5dr hatch gets to learn in, it's simple to maintain (VAG parts bin stuff), and it will tow 1800kg.

How much will insurance be with newly qualified teenagers?

There are a number of insurance comparison websites you could use to find out

[sjc]

Something like a Volvo v40 maybe in R-line trim so it looks decent as well?

[georgeyboy12345]

HustleRussell said:

Alex Z said:

C70R said:

Actually, I think I have a winner. The second generation Audi A3 2.0 TFSI, specifically the 5dr 'Sportback'.

Like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031753...

It's about as straightforward as a 5dr hatch gets to learn in, it's simple to maintain (VAG parts bin stuff), and it will tow 1800kg.

How much will insurance be with newly qualified teenagers?

There are a number of insurance comparison websites you could use to find out

Pretty sure this was a rhetorical question.

I would not recommend one of these Audis.