Car for teenager and a bit of towing?
Discussion
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!
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!
Thought this topic was going to be about this news story,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-65...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-65...
- 14 year old lad caught towing a caravan down the M4*
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.
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...)
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...)
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...
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
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.
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.
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?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 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?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.
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?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.
I would not recommend one of these Audis.
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