Best car for a 17 year old learner
Discussion
Hi,
None of my "fleet" are really suitable for a learner so what is?
Budget maybe a few £k but nothing more. When I learnt (1970) I went to a driving school (BSM) and maybe I should look at what they are running? It'll need to be something he'll use for a couple of years afterwards and maybe for my wife to cart a dog or two about as well...
Back in 1970 I was advised to learn in something "larger" the reasoning being that if I learnt in a little car I'd always be afraid of driving a bigger car. School had a Hillman Minx which they replaced with one of the first Hillman Avengers.
Happy to go with something older that I can spanner on but I guess safety and match with driving school is a bonus.
None of my "fleet" are really suitable for a learner so what is?
Budget maybe a few £k but nothing more. When I learnt (1970) I went to a driving school (BSM) and maybe I should look at what they are running? It'll need to be something he'll use for a couple of years afterwards and maybe for my wife to cart a dog or two about as well...
Back in 1970 I was advised to learn in something "larger" the reasoning being that if I learnt in a little car I'd always be afraid of driving a bigger car. School had a Hillman Minx which they replaced with one of the first Hillman Avengers.
Happy to go with something older that I can spanner on but I guess safety and match with driving school is a bonus.
My son bought a Corsa Limited Edition as it was a 1.2l and had black wheels and roof so looked great.
A year later and he replaced it with a Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost as the Corsa was slower than a tortoise tied to a brick. The Ecoboost is still cheap to insure but is actually capable of forward momentum.
A year later and he replaced it with a Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost as the Corsa was slower than a tortoise tied to a brick. The Ecoboost is still cheap to insure but is actually capable of forward momentum.
Bought a £500 206 for my eldest.
1.4 was cheaper to insure than the 1.1 which was weird.
That lasted 2 years (failed MOT on emissions, sold for £250), then we bought a MK7 Fiesta which we still have and has been 100% reliable.
Youngest daughter now learning in it and we also use as a runaround/dog car/tip car/commuter etc..
MINI one is cheap to insure as is Polo, Corsa, Yaris etc..
1.4 was cheaper to insure than the 1.1 which was weird.
That lasted 2 years (failed MOT on emissions, sold for £250), then we bought a MK7 Fiesta which we still have and has been 100% reliable.
Youngest daughter now learning in it and we also use as a runaround/dog car/tip car/commuter etc..
MINI one is cheap to insure as is Polo, Corsa, Yaris etc..
MKnight702 said:
One thing that you may be aware of.
Get insurance quotes for both learning and for once they pass. Some pf our friends bought a car based on the fact that insurance was cheap for a learner then goy a nasty shock once the child passed their test.
As above check the insurance for you offspring as a new driver with you named on the policy.Get insurance quotes for both learning and for once they pass. Some pf our friends bought a car based on the fact that insurance was cheap for a learner then goy a nasty shock once the child passed their test.
There are some cars that come with sensible numbers.
Mito
Beetle
DS3
Plenty of options there, Fiesta & Polo seem to be slightly in front.
What I note is they are all "small" cars. Probably bigger than the ones I learned in but considered small now. Goes against the BSM logic of 52 years ago!
Interesting about insurance rising after passing test. Guess that's because they are then "on their own" rather than accompanied.
Did get a quote a few weeks ago on an old Volvo 480 (saw a local lad in one and looked different and interesting). Confused came back at £341 as a learner with me on the list.
Going to have a chat with the local friendly MoT guy and see if anything comes in that looks solid and coming up for sale.
One thing I've just thought of though, he's about 6'2" or more and well built, he looks squeezed into some small cars - TVR 350i & Lotus Excel for instance, simply doesn't fit a Caterham so car needs to be comfortable too.
Cheers all
ps Eddie T- Yorkshire is where we used to live but W coast Scotland so a bit far to travel, drop me some details anyway if you wish, cheers.
What I note is they are all "small" cars. Probably bigger than the ones I learned in but considered small now. Goes against the BSM logic of 52 years ago!
Interesting about insurance rising after passing test. Guess that's because they are then "on their own" rather than accompanied.
Did get a quote a few weeks ago on an old Volvo 480 (saw a local lad in one and looked different and interesting). Confused came back at £341 as a learner with me on the list.
Going to have a chat with the local friendly MoT guy and see if anything comes in that looks solid and coming up for sale.
One thing I've just thought of though, he's about 6'2" or more and well built, he looks squeezed into some small cars - TVR 350i & Lotus Excel for instance, simply doesn't fit a Caterham so car needs to be comfortable too.
Cheers all
ps Eddie T- Yorkshire is where we used to live but W coast Scotland so a bit far to travel, drop me some details anyway if you wish, cheers.
Edited by Skyedriver on Tuesday 13th September 10:56
'Small' cars now such as the Fiesta and Polo will be fine for someone 6'-2".
Cars you've listed that he squeezes into are small by todays standards.
My 15 year old is 6'-7" and fits into the drivers seat of our Fiesta ok.
He would probably cramp up after a few hours behind the wheel if driving but it will be fine for when he learns to drive.
Cars you've listed that he squeezes into are small by todays standards.
My 15 year old is 6'-7" and fits into the drivers seat of our Fiesta ok.
He would probably cramp up after a few hours behind the wheel if driving but it will be fine for when he learns to drive.
Skyedriver said:
Hi,
Back in 1970 I was advised to learn in something "larger" the reasoning being that if I learnt in a little car I'd always be afraid of driving a bigger car.
I completely agree with this. But I'm willing to bet it will fall on deaf ears here and almost everyone will say a tiny city car or hatchback Back in 1970 I was advised to learn in something "larger" the reasoning being that if I learnt in a little car I'd always be afraid of driving a bigger car.
Not sure if still true (but I bet it is). You'll get more bigger car for your money and they can often be cheaper to insure too.
Just got my lad a Skoda Fabia 1.0 for his first car.
A bit bigger than your usual first car hatchback, but he needs to be able to get a few sets of golf clubs and overnight bags in when he eventually passes his test.
Daughter has a Vauxhall Adam 1.2 - it’s slow but actually looks decent and she loves it.
A bit bigger than your usual first car hatchback, but he needs to be able to get a few sets of golf clubs and overnight bags in when he eventually passes his test.
Daughter has a Vauxhall Adam 1.2 - it’s slow but actually looks decent and she loves it.
This cost £1800 3 years ago,(98k miles,1.6 petrol) and I spent about £400 tarting it up.First year insurance for my 17 year old son was £883,year 2 £794 and we’ve just renewed for year 3 at £675.
All his mates can’t believe how good it looks compared with their more obvious choices.Got enough kit (particularly wanted kids to have cruise/air/Bluetooth)other than the very latest gadgets.He’s 6ft 3” and is perfectly comfortable in brilliant seats.
Been completely reliable and now on 127,000 miles.
All his mates can’t believe how good it looks compared with their more obvious choices.Got enough kit (particularly wanted kids to have cruise/air/Bluetooth)other than the very latest gadgets.He’s 6ft 3” and is perfectly comfortable in brilliant seats.
Been completely reliable and now on 127,000 miles.
16 yr old son turning 17 in November, so we are looking around as well.
The effect on car prices of the last couple of years appears to have fed down to the bottom of the price range.
£1k seems to get you nothing now. Everything seems to be getting on towards £3k.
Thought I’d have a look on retro rides for something with a bit of retro chic, but they seem to have been caught in the classic car bubble as well.
Or maybe I’m getting fussier in my old age?
Pointers towards cheap motor dealers in the East Midlands would be appreciated.
The effect on car prices of the last couple of years appears to have fed down to the bottom of the price range.
£1k seems to get you nothing now. Everything seems to be getting on towards £3k.
Thought I’d have a look on retro rides for something with a bit of retro chic, but they seem to have been caught in the classic car bubble as well.
Or maybe I’m getting fussier in my old age?
Pointers towards cheap motor dealers in the East Midlands would be appreciated.
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