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Car for young driver - Richard P
I am currently helping my younger brother to buy his first car. Having considered the usual Saxos, Micras, Corsas etc. I was flicking through the Auto Trader and noticed that Rover 200s seem to be very good value. His budget is about £2700 for the car, and his insurance on top of that is likely to be about £1100 on a typical group 2 or 3 car. He has his Pass Plus also which will help to reduce his premium slightly. Anyway, does this seem a suitable car for a young driver? I have seen some decent looking P reg ones with about 50K miles on for less than 3K and they seem well specified. Any young drivers here with one of these? Anyone know the insurance groups?
His expected insurance premium makes me glad that I am a bit older (23 with 3 years NCB) as I have got my premium down to under £500 on a 2.0 TD 'W' reg Vectra. Over a grand on a small car! aaarrrggg!!!
Re: Car for young driver - Neil
Try a Ka.

Basic engine - with plenty of spares (as the engine has been around for 30 years).

Basic interior - not too much to come off or rattle around.

Contemporary shape - it'll always be a popular car, a Mini for the late 20th/early 21st Century.

It'll do 40 mpg at 80-85 mph (of course, I have no first-hand experience of this).

Great ergonomics - everything inside is driver-centric, it all falls easily to hand, there are no awful slider bars like you'll find in the heating controls for Saxos, 106s and the like.

It's great and will hold it's value well.
Re: Car for young driver - martin
Like um too, but have you considered a VW of some sort, you can now get bargain Passats up to 1997 models, diesel or petrol, if you search around you could find a low miler for about 2-3k. Insurance is the real problem however for the young driver. I have a VW passat TDI 1.9, Endsleigh quoted me £1700 fully comp and 1100 3rd party, i told them to get stuffed of course. But we all need insurance. I currently have the car under my mother's policy until such a time as i can afford to have my own, i am already in my late tweenties and things still are not loolking resonable. Therefore, getting a low CC engine is a good way forward. On a old 1.lt Fiesta i had, i paid £5003rd party at the age of 24 and fully comp was still a joke. Try an insurance broker, or get your parents to insure you on their policy (of course they have to be willing to trust their no claims bonus????)
Re: Car for young driver - Andrew Barnes
I currently
> have the car under my mother's policy until such a time as i
> can afford to have my own, i am already in my late tweenties
> and things still are not loolking resonable. Therefore,
> getting a low CC engine is a good way forward. On a old 1.lt
> Fiesta i had, i paid £5003rd party at the age of 24 and fully
> comp was still a joke. Try an insurance broker, or get your
> parents to insure you on their policy (of course they have to
> be willing to trust their no claims bonus????)

This is dodgy advice, insuring under someone elses name with you as the second driver (when you are really the main driver) is a classic excuse for insurance companies to get out of paying.

Andrew
Re: Car for young driver - James
Agreed. Better to get your own insurance and build up some no-claims...

Agree about Ka, too, but Rover 200 (original idea) is not too uncool, although I suspect that HJ may have something to say about reliability.
Re: Car for young driver - Neil
The Rover 200 (new-ish shape) was built to try to impress BMW. They are supposed to be a great little car.

The only problems I had when I was looking around them was the interior. Compared to most modern interpretations the 200 is a bit patchy.

However, their engine choices are much more varied (and modern).

I'd agree on the insurance issue as well: get it insured for yourself. Some companies may take into account a claim free driving history - even though the policy is someone else's and you are a named driver.

I bought a new Ka and would, if Ford keep the same design principals with a more dynamic and diesel-like engine choice, buy one again.
Re: Car for young driver - Mazza
I have owned a 97P plate 214 SI since new and have had few problems with it (battery & new exhaust required last year).

It is a great motor and not as cramped for space as people would have you believe as long as you are not much over 6ft tall.

I went for one as insurance costs were low given the cars performance (0 - 60 in 10 secs). You could do a lot worse. The torque steer is fun too!!!
Re: Car for young driver - Riz
The rover 200 series is quite a pricey car to insure, 216 is rougly group 12, yikes....bad news for anyone without a couple of years of NCB's, and forget it if your a young driver.
Re: Car for young driver - martin
far enough if you have the cash to spare, but a lot of yong people don't, do you know what the minium wage is?

Most if not all insurnace companies just give silly figures for even 3rd party, an example is my last car Peugeot 309 1.6, 3rd party again, £1200 from AA and similar from Endsleigh. I have never made a claim, have had a licence for 10 yrs and have no points! They don't give a damn, until you are over 30 yrs with 50% no claims it's all a damn rip-off!!!

If you have a job and can pay monthly then go for it, but with the amount your paying you could almost buy a new car on repayments!

I am allowed to drive an unlimited amount of miles with my current Sarga policy, fully comp £100 excess, no nonsense! My parents have full no claims protected whihc allows 1 claim every 3 yrs, luckily it's never been tested. If someone smashes the window or stabs the tyre i pay anyway, becaseu the hassel for the £50 is just not worth it. However, i am covered if i kill that girl who decides to run out across the road! This is surely the point of insurance?

But go for your own policy if you loaded enough to pay £120 a month!
Re: Car for young driver - James
But does Saga know that you're the main driver? This is an old loophole that I would have thought the insurance companies would have closed by now (and probably have, when you come to make a claim).

BTW, I do know what the minimum wage is - I have enough trouble paying for my own insurance! I hate to defend the insurers, but one reason that the premiums are so high is that the repair costs have rocketed. E.g. if you bashed a metal bumper a few years ago, a new one cost £50 and was easy to fit - now you have acres of plastic to replace, and probably lights as well, as the plastic wasn't strong enough to resist the impact in the first place. A new front (or rear) end will be getting on for a £1000...
Re: Car for young driver - Neil
Another reason for increased insurance costs are personal injury claims from No-win No-fee shysters. . .

We end up with a society claiming for debilitating injuries in the law courts yet are able to get a few sessions in the squash courts. Until there's a definitive test for whiplash, other than asking about whether your neck's a bit sore, then we're all likely to meet increased insurance costs.
Re: Car for young driver - martin
Neil wrote
>Another reason for increased insurance costs are personal injury claims from >No-win No-fee shysters. . .

i completely agree. The angle i am coming from with being insured under your parents policy is that unless you have the security and money to start building up your own, it is one way of getting on the road, especially if you are young and still living at home. However, it is of course preferential to start your own no claims asap as this gives a longer term benefit.

Basically, with the sarga policy i have, my parents own two cars, one of whihc i drive and keep at my address. Sarga know this, and know too that the car is garaged and is not limited to a certain milage. The cover is fully comp for £220 with Euro breakdown recovery. I know full well that it is not wise or worth it to claim for £100 or even £200 becasue of the max no cliams bonus that would be lost. But if i trash the car, or it is nicked or i kill some kid, then i find it hard to see how Sarga can claim that i am not covered. I have read the small print religiously in light of this occuring.

I am ready to concede though that if i need to make a big claim, any insurance company will try to worm out of it, that is their remit!
Re: Car for young driver - neil
Is this LAS?
Re: Car for young driver - Dave
I've got a 414 which has been excellent despite all the misuse I've heaped on it.

A mates got a Ka. The rover is better in every conceivable way.

Also the Ka has an old push rod engine so if you don't like adjusting valve clearences on a 6 monthly basis go for something more modern.

Despite this I do like the Ka a lot and agree with the comments on it above - just not a very practical option when the Rover's 20mph fast quieter and better on gas and you don't have to take the rocker cover off every 35 miles!

Also you'll be able to get a Rover without a cat.
Re: Car for young driver - markymarkn
I agree about building up your no claims.

3PFT on my F plate Astra 1.8CD for a 19 year old = £1350

3PFT on same car for a 20 year old + 1 years NCD = £628.35

Still damn expensive but it is a big engined car for my age. Hopefully next year when I am renewing as a 21 year old it will be even cheaper still. Its painfull to begin with but better to get it over and done with.

Mark.
Re: Car for young driver - martin
so £1350 on F plate Astra 1.8CD for a 19 year old is a good deal, sorry did i miss something here, or is this car actually worth about £150?

I simply cannot believe that 1yrs NCB halves the premium, i have a friend who's premium dropped by a whole 25% from £1100 3FT to £880, and that's for an Orion, and he's 28yrs.

Going for your own policy is of course good, but only if you really have that spare £150 -£200 a month, and surely if the car is worth more than £150!
Re: Car for young driver - markymarkn
1. My car is worth far more than £150 thankyou.

2. It has been slightly modified, which would do anything but decrease my premium.

3. I was merely illustrating how much my insurance had reduced. I totally agree how extortionate the premium is, but no matter how much I moan about it it won't go down one penny. It's something I just have to smile and accept. I know I could get a smaller engined car but I don't want to.

Unfortunatly on a 1.4 astra I was still looking at the £1000 mark for my first years insurance.

The new policy also included my SP50 and all of the modifications to the car.
The only differences that might reduce the policy were my first years no claims and my age increase. The quote was from my previous insurers.

My current insurers were even cheaper.

Mark.
Re: Car for young driver - Steve G
Fiesta 1.25 Zetec would be my advice. P/R plate
Cheap to insure
Cheap to fix
Easy to resale
Very good to drive
Re: Car for young driver - Richard P
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I agree that it is a good idea to start building up a no-claims bonus from an 'early age'. He will have to make some more enquiries about the insurance on a Rover 200.
The Ford Ka was an idea, but for up to £2700 there was not a great deal available, the ones that were looked a bit ropey with parking dents and scuffed bumpers. I think that the Fiesta 1.25 is quite a high insurance group, about 5 or 6? Or am I way off the mark here!?
I am amazed by how much some people are paying for their insurance here. I have been driving since late 1996 I am 23) and the most I paid for fully comp insurance was about £900 on a 1994 Astra 1.7d several years ago. My insurance on my 2K 2.0 Vectra DI is £480 with Hastings Direct, but I am glad I shooped around as some companies wanted in excess of £1500!!
Re: Car for young driver - markymarkn
Neil, thanks for the ultimate insult!

I've been posting here for ages, and I can assure you I am not on of LAS' personalities.

I am gonna take that light hearted btw, since it may seem like his work to the amatuer lada spotters eye. Notice how I know what the caps lock key is for though :)

M.
Re: Car for young driver - Neil
Insults are nothing to do with 'Neil', you want 'neil'. . .

Whoever he is. . .
Re: Car for young driver - Phil
How about a Punto? Lots about, one of the best small cars of the 90s and the 1.1 is insurance group 3. I can't say I would recommend a Rover 200, I am tall and thus hate them. To me they don't seem particularly good value 2nd hand nor cheap to insure. The fact that people are still buying them new continues to amaze me!
Re: Car for young driver - Randolph Lee
Reliant Robin.. Should be the Ideal first car for any youth!
Re: Car for young driver - Richard Hall
Peugeot 306 might be worth a look. Unusually low insurance for the size of car (1.4s are Group 4) and still looks fresh if you get one in a decent colour. Good to drive as well.
Re: Car for young driver - Ian
I had a rover 200 and they are good cars but need PAS I would prefer the Honda engined cars. I also have two sons and the best bet for insurance at a reasonable price is Tesco
Ian
Re: Car for young driver - nick
If you have a daughter then go to Eccliastical Direct. They have a special female young driver policy which was miles cheaper than any other alternative we looked at. It was cheaper during learning, we got a rebate when she passed, and a further rebate equal to 1 year's NCD when she got pass plus. At the end of the first year, on renewal, she got a second year's NCD. So as long as she remains claim free she will always be better off to the value of 1 year's NCD
p.s. We bought her a 12 month old Corsa, cost us £3500 from Arriva Renault in Cheltenham
Re: Car for young driver - Dave
"How about a Punto? Lots about, one of the best small cars of the 90s and the 1.1 is insurance group 3. I can't say I would recommend a Rover 200, I am tall and thus hate them. To me they don't seem particularly good value 2nd hand nor cheap to insure. The fact that people are still buying them new continues to amaze me!"

Yeah, a mate has a Punto and it is a fantastic car!

Dunno about Rovers being no good if you're tall. I'm a 6'1 second row. I can easily find a seat position in the 414 where i'm comfortable. ALthough I do find the roof every now and then. The Ka has loads of headroom.

As for rovers being pricey second hand where have you been? 450 quid ought to get a minter on a j plate.

That's pretty cheap for a 100 odd bhp k series! You won't get a punto or a ka for that!
Re: Car for young driver - Phil
Yeah for a J plate they are cheap but post 96 Rover 200s seem to hold their value fairly well. Those are the ones I hate for space (i am 6'6"). The older 200 and 400 are not bad.

Remeber it takes a certain type of person who wants to drive a ten year old motah and run on bangernomics (myself included) and this doesn't appeal to many people!
Re: Car for young driver - Dave
Fair point Phil! Although if you're gonna spend much over 3k you might as well buy new!

A 106 will only set you back 6k.

IMHO opinion there are only two valid buying strategys. Banger and brand new. Paying top dollar for a three year old car is a mugs game!
Re: Car for young driver - Neil
Absolutely. Before settling on a new Ford Ka Collection (aircon, CD, electric windows, metallic paint, 12 months insurance, 0% finance, 1000 pound discount) I'd considered and investigated a variety of 3-5 year old cars.

They were typically in poor condition compared to the car my wife had for 3 years, and over-priced. If you don't feel reliant on your car then bangernomics is fair enough, for the rest of us we're paying for the convenience of reliability (most of the time).

I can say that head room in the Ka is excellent, it's reasonably nippy, and can carry a reasonable load.