What interesting car for me and a learner
What interesting car for me and a learner
Author
Discussion

Jakarta

Original Poster:

583 posts

171 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
I'm currently in a very nice 330i convertible that I have managed to get my girlfriend insured on as a learner. Understandably she is not too keen to drive a car of this size and her instructor cites excessive power and size. my opinion is that the car only goes as fast as you press the pedal and to be honest, a 330 is hardly a rocketship.
Now I'm looking at something a little smaller and manageable, it doesn't suit us to have two cars as I'm away with work quite a bit and we're in London so generally public transport works quite well for us on a day to day basis.

I've been looking at Golf GTI's and other similar cars, insurance remains sensible at this stage, I won't go in to the exorbitant increase that comes along after she has passed.
Aside from their siblings (Leon, A3 etc.) what else might be interesting and secondly, should I be steering away from the sportier versions bearing in mind I still like a bit of go when appropriate.
(partner seems to like the idea of a golf at this stage)

Plate spinner

18,084 posts

229 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
My opinion is let her choose.

James jamie

80 posts

103 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
I'd say a Golf GTi too. Although they've got a bit ghastly these days my red R looks quite understated on winter steels, covered in muck and debadged. I would have happily had a GT but needed 4wd.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

263 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
Is she worth the expense? New driver in London...If not going all the way, get someone who can drive and has some decent NCB.

Plate spinner

18,084 posts

229 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
Is she worth the expense? New driver in London...If not going all the way, get someone who can drive and has some decent NCB.
Brilliant!

OP: ‘Hi, due to my girlfriend’s needs we need a different car - advice sought please’.

PH: ‘The BMW e46 330i is a lively motor. Suggest you change your girlfriend to one who better meets your needs. We have active Divorcees and Match.com threads running to support you during this transitional period.

Jakarta

Original Poster:

583 posts

171 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
She is completely uninterested in cars, just wants to be able to drive and have a little more independance.
Cracking comment from Sideways, made me chuckle a little.

I think a GTI is the way ahead, I was looking at a new Polo GTI on lease but they are mighty expensive compared to an equivalent golf.

egor110

17,674 posts

232 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
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What about a mini Cooper or fiat abarth ?

Always see loads of them in central London.

edc

9,616 posts

280 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
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I got a Fiesta 140 on a lease 3 years ago to learn in and double up as daily.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
James jamie said:
I'd say a Golf GTi too. Although they've got a bit ghastly these days my red R looks quite understated on winter steels, covered in muck and debadged. I would have happily had a GT but needed 4wd.
Wow, where do you live that you need a low riding 4wd?!

Pica-Pica

16,536 posts

113 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
James jamie said:
I'd say a Golf GTi too. Although they've got a bit ghastly these days my red R looks quite understated on winter steels, covered in muck and debadged. I would have happily had a GT but needed 4wd.
Wow, where do you live that you need a low riding 4wd?!
Nothing wrong with that. 335d is not exactly low-riding, but then it is great for wet roads and roundabouts and copes just as well on back lanes with grass up the middle as a high-riding SUV. I myself live in North Wales; fast A roads and twisty back lanes.

Cylon2007

608 posts

107 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
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Suzuki Swift??

Grrbang

755 posts

100 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
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For someone with no interest in cars, I would definitely consider an automatic. Easier to pass driving test and an auto licence won’t hold her back in almost every job.

40% of all new cars sold are auto now, up 70% from 2007, and I suspect the proportion will steadily increase.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
Pica-Pica said:
DoubleD said:
James jamie said:
I'd say a Golf GTi too. Although they've got a bit ghastly these days my red R looks quite understated on winter steels, covered in muck and debadged. I would have happily had a GT but needed 4wd.
Wow, where do you live that you need a low riding 4wd?!
Nothing wrong with that. 335d is not exactly low-riding, but then it is great for wet roads and roundabouts and copes just as well on back lanes with grass up the middle as a high-riding SUV. I myself live in North Wales; fast A roads and twisty back lanes.
Nothing wrong with wanting a 4wd, but he said that he needed a 4wd.

Jakarta

Original Poster:

583 posts

171 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
Automatic is my preferred option but she wants a manual if only so she doesn't have to concern herself with the change in set up between her official learner car and the practice car. Driving doesn't seem to come naturally to her but hopefully that will change with time and confidence.

James jamie

80 posts

103 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
James jamie said:
I'd say a Golf GTi too. Although they've got a bit ghastly these days my red R looks quite understated on winter steels, covered in muck and debadged. I would have happily had a GT but needed 4wd.
Wow, where do you live that you need a low riding 4wd?!
Rural Yorkshire. Ask me how i know i 'need' 4wd.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
James jamie said:
DoubleD said:
James jamie said:
I'd say a Golf GTi too. Although they've got a bit ghastly these days my red R looks quite understated on winter steels, covered in muck and debadged. I would have happily had a GT but needed 4wd.
Wow, where do you live that you need a low riding 4wd?!
Rural Yorkshire. Ask me how i know i 'need' 4wd.
Go on then?

James jamie

80 posts

103 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
6 months in hospital with a spine fracture. A dead 968.


James jamie

80 posts

103 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
Apologise for the digress OP. But still a Golf is the hat for all occasions.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Sunday 22nd December 2019
quotequote all
James jamie said:
6 months in hospital with a spine fracture. A dead 968.
Sounds like you lost grip. 4WD wont help you there.