Ideal first car?

[MrJamez]

Just passed my test and need a car.

Anybody have any suggestions? Preferably with low insurance!

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Netherton Wolf]

If you have no no claims behind you, something in a low insurance ( group 1/2) bracket, Corsa etc around a 1 ltr - if you are young your 1st years insurance will be around £2000, but get through your 1st year claims free and it will drop significantly the 2nd year, my kids had a corsa/ford fiesta as their 1st cars and their insurance were £2k each, but both dropped to just under a grand for the 2nd year. my 21yr old daughter now has a beautiful VW Scirocco and her ins is only £750 for the 3rd year.

 

[Golden Arrow]

What's your budget, 2 seats, or 4 seats, petrol, diesel, or electric, manual or automatic, saloon, or coupe, British manufacture, or other, etc. etc. ???

 

[bod101]

old bubble shape nissan micra, bullet proof, cheap to insure.

my wife has a 1.3 daihatsu yrv as her first car, thats good fun too, toyota engine, hasnt gone wrong yet in a year of ownership. dunno if that helps.

 

[WasStefan]

Anything at or below 1.2litre petrol. The cheaper the car the higher the insurance in my experience.

Put both parents as names driver on your insurance policy to bring the premium down substantially.

 

[Ginger Chimp]

New or second hand? What did you learn to drive in?

 

[liquidatorwolf]

Volskwagen polo seat ibizas are good reliable cars.

 

[Onlywolf]

Nissan GTR - pop back here with the insurance quote

 

[Sussex Wolf]

Ford Fiesta 1.0l or similar. Cheap to run, and minimises insurance cost, although will still be steep in year 1 with zero no claims if under 21. The insurance policies which require the installation of a device to record your driving can help keep the insurance lower. You could also consider one of the new car deals (eg Smart car)/which roll in all the costs including young persons insurance. You would be paying for a new car however, so not necessarily a cheap option unless you had that in mind.

One of the car websites has a list of cars recommended for young or new drivers. Just google good first cars in UK.

 

[johnybig32]

Toyota ay go.

 

[Paul76]

Depends on your budget.

I'd go for a Citroen C2, a later Peugeot 206 verve or a earlier pug 207.

Good little cars that are affordable, easy to repair and have cheap insurance.

 

[Deleted member 4456]

My first car was a Corsa. The insurance was expensive but it always is for the first few years.

 

[bigbluewolf]

Get insurance with a black box. It'll be cheaper.

 

[GY Wolf]

How about a Bedford van?

 

[RJs Tankard]

Do your pass plus. For the cost of 6 extra lessons, once completed, it gives you the equivalent of one years no claims discount.

Well worth it in your first year - it'll save you about £600+

It's also good experience because you cover motorway driving - with an instructor. Something you cannot do during normal driving lessons. Motorway driving requires a different mindset / understanding to normal driving - so it's worth it for that too.

 

[Mugwump]

Fiat 500. The go like a bat out of hell!

 

[bigbluewolf]

My son has a Grande Punto. Small Fiats are decent first cars.

 

[WasStefan]

Do your pass plus. For the cost of 6 extra lessons, once completed, it gives you the equivalent of one years no claims discount.

Well worth it in your first year - it'll save you about £600+

It's also good experience because you cover motorway driving - with an instructor. Something you cannot do during normal driving lessons. Motorway driving requires a different mindset / understanding to normal driving - so it's worth it for that too.

Really? I did pass plus after seeing my insurance quotes when i first passed. Didn't change anything when I did pass plus. Complete rip off.

Motorway driving should be included in normal lessons, pass plus is just another money making spin off

 

[Wichenford Wolf]

My 21 year old has a 57 plate Mini - her insurance (after 3 years driving) is £428.

Point worth noting is that your insurance premium will reduce if you have adults / parents as named drivers. My daughter's premium this year fell by over £200 because of this.

 

[Netherton Wolf]

Get insurance with a black box. It'll be cheaper.

My sons/daughters was only around £100 cheaper with a black box and there were Far too many restrictions about useage , couldn't b used after 11pm and not before 6am, which is no good when u work in a nightclub, or in my son's case start work at 6 !!!

 

[bigbluewolf]

My sons/daughters was only around £100 cheaper with a black box and there were Far too many restrictions about useage , couldn't b used after 11pm and not before 6am, which is no good when u work in a nightclub, or in my son's case start work at 6 !!!

You picked the wrong company. My son had no restrictions on times of use at all. He saved over £800 in the first year.

www.ingenie.com

 

[RJs Tankard]

Really? I did pass plus after seeing my insurance quotes when i first passed. Didn't change anything when I did pass plus. Complete rip off.

It's not a rip off. Saved me a fortune - and my mates too. You must have picked either an insurance company that didn't do a Pass Plus discount - or there was a clerical error. It knocks a huge chunk off your insurance.

Motorway driving should be included in normal lessons

You seriously think putting drivers that haven't passed a driving test, amongst people driving at 90mph, middle lane hoggers, lorries and white van loons on a motorway is a good idea?

 

[Sussex Wolf]

It's not a rip off. Saved me a fortune - and my mates too. You must have picked either an insurance company that didn't do a Pass Plus discount - or there was a clerical error. It knocks a huge chunk off your insurance.



You seriously think putting drivers that haven't passed a driving test, amongst people driving at 90mph, middle lane hoggers, lorries and white van loons on a motorway is a good idea?

I think it is better to include Motorway driving in lessons with a qualified instructor, than have a driver, fresh from passing a test, with zero experience on Motorways, drive on a Motorway with nobody telling them what to do. What you don't want, is a driver on their first lesson heading onto a Motorway or dual carriageway, but a qualified instructor would not do that.

 

[RJs Tankard]

Not everyone has lessons with a qualified instructor though. Many have lessons with mum and dad or a friend - and they often teach them bad habits from the very start.

The last thing the motorway needs is an inexperienced driver that has never passed a test - being taught by someone that already has bad habits.

If people are going to be allowed on the motorway, then it should be with a qualified driving instructor only - in a dual controlled car only - and after X amount of lessons - restricted to 60mph in the left hand lane only.

Some learner drivers are horrific and have to sit their test 5+ times before they pass. I don't think those should be on a motorway learning.

 

[arctic rime]

Just passed my test and need a car.



Anybody have any suggestions? Preferably with low insurance!



Many thanks in advance.

I've bought my Daughter a Ford Ka 1.2 , very nice little motor .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WasStefan]

It's not a rip off. Saved me a fortune - and my mates too. You must have picked either an insurance company that didn't do a Pass Plus discount - or there was a clerical error. It knocks a huge chunk off your insurance.



You seriously think putting drivers that haven't passed a driving test, amongst people driving at 90mph, middle lane hoggers, lorries and white van loons on a motorway is a good idea?

What is the difference between someone who is about to pass and has learnt all the basics on pedestrian roads and someone who has just passed? Nothing.

In this country we're just to PC, health and safety, see a potential money making scheme and its game over. Look at Finland etc they have to learn to drift ffs yet we get nervous about putting someone who's had what 20 lessons + on the motorway with an instructor!

 

[WasStefan]

Not everyone has lessons with a qualified instructor though. Many have lessons with mum and dad or a friend - and they often teach them bad habits from the very start.

The last thing the motorway needs is an inexperienced driver that has never passed a test - being taught by someone that already has bad habits.

If people are going to be allowed on the motorway, then it should be with a qualified driving instructor only - in a dual controlled car only - and after X amount of lessons - restricted to 60mph in the left hand lane only.

Some learner drivers are horrific and have to sit their test 5+ times before they pass. I don't think those should be on a motorway learning.

You've changed the argument there. No one mentioned, certainly I didn't, a learner going on a motorway with an mom-qualified instructor. Anyone that would agree to that is crazy.

 

[WasStefan]

In answe to the OPs question, my first car was a 106 Quicksilver 1.4. Funnest car I've ever driven. Leaking sunroof, dodged electrics the lot. Can't beat your first car.

 

[RJs Tankard]

What is the difference between someone who is about to pass and has learnt all the basics on pedestrian roads and someone who has just passed? Nothing.

One has passed a test to show they can drive to the competent standard required to pass a test. The other hasn't.

How can someone be "about to pass"? Just because someone has had 20 lessons or so doesn't mean they're going to pass or be a decent driver.

Some people can have 15 lessons and pass their test first time - some can have driving lessons galore and fail four driving tests. Driving instructors can't see into the future to know which of their pupils is going to pass.

It would be impossible to enforce. There can't just be a "one size fits all" policy of allowing any driver that has had X amount of lessons on a motorway. There are some that will not be competent enough. How would the law also define a learner? Anyone that's learning, regardless of who's teaching them? People out with instructors only?

It just wouldn't work - too complicated to enforce. Instead, it should be compulsory that whenever someone has passed their test, they have to do two lessons doing motorway driving only, signed off by an instructor, before their license is issued. That way, everyone has experience of motorway driving - without other drivers having to worry about incompetent drivers that have never passed a test being a hazard.

There's a reason why learner drivers are not allowed on the motorway. It should remain that way.

 

[Sussex Wolf]

One has passed a test to show they can drive to the competent standard required to pass a test. The other hasn't.

How can someone be "about to pass"? Just because someone has had 20 lessons or so doesn't mean they're going to pass or be a decent driver.

Some people can have 15 lessons and pass their test first time - some can have driving lessons galore and fail four driving tests. Driving instructors can't see into the future to know which of their pupils is going to pass.

It would be impossible to enforce. There can't just be a "one size fits all" policy of allowing any driver that has had X amount of lessons on a motorway. There are some that will not be competent enough. How would the law also define a learner? Anyone that's learning, regardless of who's teaching them? People out with instructors only?

It just wouldn't work - too complicated to enforce. Instead, it should be compulsory that whenever someone has passed their test, they have to do two lessons doing motorway driving only, signed off by an instructor, before their license is issued. That way, everyone has experience of motorway driving - without other drivers having to worry about incompetent drivers that have never passed a test being a hazard.

There's a reason why learner drivers are not allowed on the motorway. It should remain that way.

Just keep it simple. Learners only allowed on Motorways with a qualified instructor, in an appropriately marked car. Driving with mum/dad/mates and an L plate should be insufficient.

Reality is that Motorways are the safest roads in the country, with by far the lowest accident rates. Although fast, all cars are separated from oncoming cars, most junctions are grade separated, there are at least 2 lanes in either direction to allow overtaking, and most importantly, no pedestrians, cyclists or slow moving vehicles like tractors. Compared with an urban dual carriageway which learners can drive on at 60 or 70 legally with their friends and family, they are much safer.

 

[liquidatorwolf]

Newer the car the cheaper the insurance.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Try & build up your no claims being a named driver on somebody else's insurance also, you generally have to stick with that company to use them but if you don't have a car or need one after passing your test 1/2 years previous you have still built something up.

Anything new & small engined is the best to insure, you can private lease a brand new car something like a Nissan Micra, VW up, Citroen C1, Ford Ka, Seat Ibiza for around £120 - £160 a month with 3 months deposit up front.

 

[RJs Tankard]

Learners only allowed on Motorways with a qualified instructor, in an appropriately marked car.

But then where is the line drawn?

Do you let someone on the motorway during their first lesson? Of course not.

Do you let someone on the motorway after 20 lessons? Well, everyone has varying abilities. Some learners after 20 lessons are good enough to pass their test. Some are as bad as they were during their first lesson.

A blanket law can't just be introduced - it wouldn't work.

Would it be down to instructors discretion? What happens if that instructor falls ill while he's teaching an inexperienced driver on the motorway? What if the instructor is doing a family member or friend a favour by teaching them - and thinking "Oh it's little Johnny, I can trust him" - and taking him on the motorway "as a favour" earlier than he should be to help him out. It shouldn't happen - and instructors shouldn't want to risk their job like that - but there are rogues in every trade.

The solution is already there. Pass your test and do pass plus. If you do pass plus, it's acknowledged that you've extended your driving skills - and discounts are awarded accordingly.

People want the best of both worlds though - they want the discounted insurance - but they don't want to do the extra bit of work required to get that discount.

 

[WasStefan]

Try & build up your no claims being a named driver on somebody else's insurance also, you generally have to stick with that company to use them but if you don't have a car or need one after passing your test 1/2 years previous you have still built something up.

Anything new & small engined is the best to insure, you can private lease a brand new car something like a Nissan Micra, VW up, Citroen C1, Ford Ka, Seat Ibiza for around £120 - £160 a month with 3 months deposit up front.

Would go with this although being a named driver on a policy in the long run is a negative for finding cheap insurance.

I currently lease and can't fault it. Just the same as financing a car I will never own...

 

[WasStefan]

But then where is the line drawn?

Do you let someone on the motorway during their first lesson? Of course not.

Do you let someone on the motorway after 20 lessons? Well, everyone has varying abilities. Some learners after 20 lessons are good enough to pass their test. Some are as bad as they were during their first lesson.

A blanket law can't just be introduced - it wouldn't work.

Would it be down to instructors discretion? What happens if that instructor falls ill while he's teaching an inexperienced driver on the motorway? What if the instructor is doing a family member or friend a favour by teaching them - and thinking "Oh it's little Johnny, I can trust him" - and taking him on the motorway "as a favour" earlier than he should be to help him out. It shouldn't happen - and instructors shouldn't want to risk their job like that - but there are rogues in every trade.

The solution is already there. Pass your test and do pass plus. If you do pass plus, it's acknowledged that you've extended your driving skills - and discounts are awarded accordingly.

People want the best of both worlds though - they want the discounted insurance - but they don't want to do the extra bit of work required to get that discount.

obviously that is the judgement of a qualified instructor!

 

[Battleship]

Just passed my test and need a car.

Anybody have any suggestions? Preferably with low insurance!

Many thanks in advance.

Apologies for an obviously ageist response - but given that young men are at increased risk of life-changing accidents caused by excessive speed, I would suggest two words:

1. small
2. slow

 

[bod101]

another option is a classic car on classic car insurance or is that just an urban myth?

 

[Deleted member 4456]

another option is a classic car on classic car insurance or is that just an urban myth?

You can get a good deal that way, but you have to be a paid-up member of a relevant classic car club who will vouch for you with a specialist insurer. There's usually a mileage limit of around 5000 as well.