5k learner driver car for reliability and cheap running cost

[kazino]

Hi all, I would like to gift my cousin her first car as she has finished university and has started working in southampton (we live in London)

Thinking a decent enough engine to get out of trouble on the motorway would be neccesary. She will be maintaining the car herself so needs to be cheap as she is quite cash strapped currently.

Should I get something older but known for reliability (please correct me if wrong about the reliability) e.g a VW golf, Audi a3, toyota auris or to go for a newer car with less milage e.g Ford focus, vauxhall astra, kia ceed, peuget 308, renault clio, citreon c3/c4

[Blanchimont]

buy something cheap. Even a basic car will be fine on the motorway. It's better to learn to preempt rather than rely on power through inexperience.

[trickywoo]

kazino said:

known for reliability (please correct me if wrong about the reliability) e.g a VW golf, Audi a3, toyota auris

Toyota yes. VAG? The reliability thing is marketing based and well in the past IMO.

Suzuki Swift is a good option.

Reliable and cheap / easy to work on.

The 1.5 in the Mk3 is also really good fun to drive.

Decent safety rating too.

[Scrump]

Check insurance prices as this will not be cheap for a new driver.

[pb8g09]

trickywoo said:

Toyota yes. VAG? The reliability thing is marketing based and well in the past IMO.

Suzuki Swift is a good option.

Reliable and cheap / easy to work on.

The 1.5 in the Mk3 is also really good fun to drive.

Decent safety rating too.

Test drove a MK3 Swift GLX 1.5 a few years ago when in a similar boat to OP's relative. A great shout - fun little car, easy to drive and no problem with motorways. It was like a go kart!

[kieranblenk]

Suzuki Swift 110%. Without wishing to sound like a broken record on these threads, our 11 plate model has 91k on the clock and has been perfect in over 4 years of ownership. Reliable, comfortable on long journeys for a small car and cheap to run.

[kazino]

Sorry forgot to mention the car needs to be automatic

[kazino]

Sorry forgot to mention the car needs to be automatic

[trickywoo]

kazino said:

Sorry forgot to mention the car needs to be automatic

Swift also comes in auto.

[kieranblenk]

kazino said:

Sorry forgot to mention the car needs to be automatic

Our Swift is automatic; a 1.5 petrol. However the newer models are a 1.2.

[ZX10R NIN]

Astra Elite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Focus Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Mazda3 Takara

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Honda Civic SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Type S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Clio GT Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Initiale

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Cee'd 2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

i30 Comfort

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Toyota Auris T Spirit

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...