I am wanting to purchase a small second car to replace our shabby 12yr old Primera, which has given up the ghost. Could anyone please advise? These are the criteria I am hoping to fulfil:
* Suitable for 2 teenage daughters to learn to drive in, this will not be their car, but the family second car.
* Cheap insurance and running costs
* Reliable
* Some street cred ? daughter no2 refuses to drive the primera
* Preferably 5 doors, but will consider 3
* X reg onwards
* Budget around £3000
I am hoping that the girls will pass their tests this summer as no1 is already at uni and no2 goes in Sept. The car will be available for them to use during holidays. Any advice welcomed, thanks
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Re daughter # 2
This is the car, you dont want to be seen in it? fine, you dont go anywhere and you dont learn to drive - your choice.
Generally teen girls love KA, Clio, Punto. Will do Corsa and Fiesta if a bit tomboyish..
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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There's loads of group 1 to group 3 cars around, and all overpriced SH (in my opinion), just because they are cheaper to insure. I guess if you want long life then Nissan and Toyota have to be worth looking at, while if you want car park cred then see the post above.
Try some comparative insurance quotes for slightly larger cars such as Nissan Almera - the increase in insurance may not be much, but there's a lot of car for a very realistic price, and if the girls won't drive it, then just think of the petrol savings you'll be making.
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This is the car you dont want to be seen in it? fine you dont go anywhere and you dont learn to drive - your choice.
My sentiments exactly, this is why she has not learnt yet, but as the primera is ready for the scrap heap we need to buy something more suitable.
Thanks for the advice
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I suggest an old shape Nissan Micra (the "K" series) with the 1.0 litre engine as:
a) It is in a low insurance group
b) It has very good visibility, both front and rear which makes manouvering easy for a learner (and everyone else).
c) Reliable.
d) Easy DIY maintenance.
e) Available with PAS, airbag, ALB etc.
Best bet in my opinion is a post 1999 face-lift model (the ones with the chrome around the radiator intake).
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I have nothing to add to Spospe"s excellant post
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HJ has I believe previously spoken up for the Punto here, to nearly precisely the question you pose.
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I agree with Spospe, and to add that the clutch is cheap to replace as well. That is an issue you need to bear in mind as with some small cars especially diesels ( clio d a classic) cost a fortune to replace.
Micra's a little cracker unless I'm stuck behind one on a sunday!
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I learnt on a Volvo 340 (1.4) mainly because it was a strong car. I think that safety is paramount and more important than street cred and I am sure daughter no2 will put having wheels above street cred when the chips are really down.
not sure if you can get a Golf/Polo for that money - they "seem" to be quite solid in a crash and I would prefer my kids to be driving one of those than a Fiat Punto. Maybe I'm wrong but......
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My teenage daughter was insistent that she had to have a black Golf.
I offered her an old Berlingo van.
We settled negotiations on an R reg Rover 100 (Metro) which she loves and adores. £750, low miles, perfect bodywork, 12 month mot, starts & runs beautifully.
2 daughters... my sympathies. Weddings to pay for soon...... ;-)
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hmmmmm 3 daughters actually, but 3rd is not old enough to drive yet. As for the weddings, well, I have told them that I will help them through uni, then they can get a good job and pay for their own!!!
Thanks for the advice everyone.
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