£2k car to teach my son to drive in

[davidd]

Our car mad boy is 17 next week and as I'm not letting him near either of our existing cars we need to buy something to teach him in.

The plan is that as soon as he's had a few lessons he'll drive me to work and back 3 days a week (his college is nearby). So it needs to be something I don't mind leaving in the car park

Some thoughts.

Must me manual (obs).

Max £2k.

4 seats and hatchback (no mx5s).

Be good if he could insure it after he's been driving for a year.

Ideally, I'd like something under 50k miles

Must have air con.

Any amazing suggestions? Anyone got anything they want to move on?

Cheers

D

[liner33]

Citroen C1/Pug 107/ Toyota Aygo , great cars loads around cheap to run and good for learners . Air Con does sap the power a little though

[vtecyo]

I had a Corsa 1.2 SXi for mine. Was A Corsa C shape - I'd imagine a Corsa D of the same spec would do the job perfectly. I loved mine, although at the time is was obviously too slow...

[designforlife]

Toyota Yaris T-sport.

[InitialDave]

liner33 said:

Citroen C1/Pug 107/ Toyota Aygo , great cars loads around cheap to run and good for learners . Air Con does sap the power a little though

Seconded. They're brilliant little cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

I've found that sometimes the Alfa Mito comes in with sensible insurance numbers but they'll be over 50k:

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

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

Renault Twingo GT

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

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

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

Mazda2 Sport (you'll have to haggle)

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

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

Toyota IQ

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

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

Also take a look at the 147 as they too sometimes come in with sensible insurance numbers.

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

[davidd]

Interesting selection. I'd been looking at mitos..

ZX10R NIN said:

I've found that sometimes the Alfa Mito comes in with sensible insurance numbers but they'll be over 50k:

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

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

Renault Twingo GT

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

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

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

Mazda2 Sport (you'll have to haggle)

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

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

Toyota IQ

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

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

Also take a look at the 147 as they too sometimes come in with sensible insurance numbers.

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

[jeremyc]

davidd said:

Our car mad boy is 17 next week ...

I remember when it was just Frank the cat and abuse for Bonce ...

[ilikejam]

I always thought the 147 was ugly, but it seems to be ageing really well.

[pingu393]

Check out the insurance. That will be the biggest cost.

I don't know if they give recommendations, but must be worth a call.

[davidd]

jeremyc said:

yikes:

I remember when it was just Frank the cat and abuse for Bonce ...

Frank died, Bonce got married

[davidd]

Any thoughts on punto evos? ie any punto after 2010?

[Chrismawa]

designforlife said:

Toyota Yaris T-sport.

This. Reliable, cheap and cool for a 17 year old.

Still miss my old one!

[Toed64]

Puntos are fine, cheaply thrown together but serve well. It's basically simlar to the Mito, Fiat 500, Panda and Chrysler Ypsilon (badged Lancia elsewhere) under the skin.

Check the insurance quotes: godchild had a 1.2 Punto that was very slow, but traded it for a 1.4, 3 months after passing her test at age 17, and paid the same insurance premium.

We've had a few Fiats (1.4 Punto Evo and a couple of Pandas) and now have a 2006 Panda 4x4 and a 2011 Mito Multiair to knock about in. Wife dislikes the Alfa and chooses the old Panda if the keys are there. She says it's cute, but it doesn't drive as well as the Panda for lanes use... also, dents and scratches seem to suit the Panda 4x4!

One of the best things about the Punto EVO we had, was the standard radio/bluetooth set up. The Mito is the same year, but doesn't have Bluetooth, USB or Aux-in. Phone hook up is pretty much essential now, IMO...and most don't use CDs...

[davidd]

Toed64 said:

Puntos are fine, cheaply thrown together but serve well. It's basically simlar to the Mito, Fiat 500, Panda and Chrysler Ypsilon (badged Lancia elsewhere) under the skin.

Check the insurance quotes: godchild had a 1.2 Punto that was very slow, but traded it for a 1.4, 3 months after passing her test at age 17, and paid the same insurance premium.

We've had a few Fiats (1.4 Punto Evo and a couple of Pandas) and now have a 2006 Panda 4x4 and a 2011 Mito Multiair to knock about in. Wife dislikes the Alfa and chooses the old Panda if the keys are there. She says it's cute, but it doesn't drive as well as the Panda for lanes use... also, dents and scratches seem to suit the Panda 4x4!

One of the best things about the Punto EVO we had, was the standard radio/bluetooth set up. The Mito is the same year, but doesn't have Bluetooth, USB or Aux-in. Phone hook up is pretty much essential now, IMO...and most don't use CDs...

Thanks thats really useful

[sinbaddio]

Had the same thing last year - settled on A Twingo Gordini (same as a GT but with a few extra's).

He loves it, insurance isn't too bad, around £1400 a year with Flux Direct and a black box which isn't too restrictive. In fact I use it a fair bit too!

[FiringOnThree]

designforlife said:

Toyota Yaris T-sport.

+1, though finding one @ 50k miles may prove difficult