Advice re car suitable for new driver

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Thu 25 Sep 2008 11:29
Advice re car suitable for new driver - lanky1
In our household we have 2 vehicles, a Picasso and a Berlingo. Our 17 year old has started driving lessons and our plan is to get rid of the Berlingo and buy a small car that he can learn to drive in and, when he's passed his test, have use of when I don't need it. Our requirements are - a low insurance group, the car should not feel basic(I'm used to some comfort) and we are looking to spend between £3000 & £5000.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you.

Edited by Pugugly on 25/09/2008 at 18:22

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Thu 25 Sep 2008 11:54
advice re car suitable for new driver - cheddar
1.2 Clio, low insurance, reasonable perky and very good safety rating.
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Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:42
advice re car suitable for new driver - redviper
Corsa, Fiesta, (both resonably realiable)

Clio (had two Laguna's both gave me enough problems to make me think about buying renault again)
However my sister has had one for a few years now, and its been trouble free :-)


Micra, Swift, Polo (probably more expensive than the above but more relaible IMO)

Edited by redlightzone on 25/09/2008 at 13:43

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Thu 25 Sep 2008 14:40
advice re car suitable for new driver - retgwte
brand new fiat panda active 1.1 available for 5000

low insurance

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Thu 25 Sep 2008 17:35
advice re car suitable for new driver - jc2
Ka!!!
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Thu 25 Sep 2008 17:41
advice re car suitable for new driver - FotheringtonThomas
Can't you keep the Berlin go, and let him drive that?
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Thu 25 Sep 2008 20:05
advice re car suitable for new driver - lanky1
I was going to change the Berlingo anyway. In view of my son's age I'm looking for a lower insurance group.
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Thu 25 Sep 2008 20:35
advice re car suitable for new driver - Manatee
Bought a new Panda 3 years ago for use of number one son. No problems yet.

Only four seats, but reasonably quiet and comfortable. And you get 4 doors.
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Thu 25 Sep 2008 23:17
advice re car suitable for new driver - rtj70
Insurance for a young male driver will be high for even a low insurance group. It might be higher for the Berlingo but then you save on the cost of swapping cars. Before jumping in to anything get some quotes on current and possible cars.

Because factors like area, your NCB discount, age, etc. all are factors nobody on here can answer questions. If he's named but not main driver it might not be too bad. If he's the main driver the insurance has to be in his name.

My step-son's first car was a Panda (H plate?) when he was 18. Third party fire and theft was £1400.
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Thu 25 Sep 2008 23:46
advice re car suitable for new driver - Manatee
>>If he's the main driver the insurance has to be in his name.

Not so, according to my insurer - but if he is the main driver you have to tell them, and it will be rated accordingly, regardless of who is the policyholder.

Edited by Manatee on 25/09/2008 at 23:47

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Fri 26 Sep 2008 08:52
advice re car suitable for new driver - NorfolkDriver
I have just (last week), changed my car from a Skoda Octavia to a Peugeot 206 HDi.

Got the aircon, electric windows, and most importantly is diesel and on the first fill up got 68mpg.

Mine is on a 52 plate, and was around the 3k mark, did see some upto a 56 plate for less than 5k with not too many miles.

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Fri 26 Sep 2008 08:52
advice re car suitable for new driver - NorfolkDriver
Forgot to say, its a whopping £35 per year for the tax too :)
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Fri 26 Sep 2008 10:54
advice re car suitable for new driver - oldnotbold
You really need to do some checking on insurance costs - I think you'll find that anything over Group 3 become eye-wateringly expensive.

Also consider keeping your current fleet, and adding a group 1/2 cheap car - eg Corsa 1.2.
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