What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Automatic for a nervous learner
My 20 year old daughter is learning to drive and despite numerous lessons is really struggling with manual transmission. She has suggested trying an automatic but I am concerned about the implications. She argues in the long term it will cost less to pass her test as she will need fewer lessons. Assuming she wins this argument what are the likely pitfalls when it comes to her buying a cheap small second-hand car and are there any makes/models you would suggest?
Asked on 21 July 2015 by Mrs H, Lancs
Answered by
Honest John
She will be restricted to automatic or automated manual or electric cars only, which greatly restricts her choice of cars and which cars are relatively expensive because the demand for them is comparatively greater than the supply. Probably best and most reliable is a 1999-2005 Toyota Yaris 1.3 4-speed auto, though reliability of a car more than 10 years old can never be guaranteed.
Similar questions
My daughter has been having driving lessons for a few months and feedback from her instruction is very good. To help provide her with more 'on the road hours' I'm thinking of buying a car for her. Budget...
In a discussion on learning to drive, it was suggested that some learner drivers would benefit by having their initial training in an automatic to get them used to dealing with traffic and hazards, before...
My Son is 6'7" tall and 18 years old. The 57 plate Renault Clio that he and my daughter learnt to drive in is reaching the point of needing some serious money spent on it. It has been a great workhorse...