Second car advice

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Tue 28 Jul 2009 19:19
Second car advice - Darkestcore
Hi,

I'm looking to pick up a second car for the family. It will mainly be driven by me and my two daughters. One is 21 and passed her test at 17 1/2 - she has had one claim on the insurance for an accident. The other is 17 in September and will need a car to learn to drive in. Obviously I don't want to pay over the odds on insurance - and am looking 4-5 years old second hand, so I'm not looking for anything extravagant. But I am 6'7 and want a car I can be comfortable driving.

Not really decided on budget yet, so any thoughts on what sort of thing I could get for £5000 and £10000.

Many thanks
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Tue 28 Jul 2009 20:28
Second car advice - GroovyMucker
I've been astonished at how much headroom there is in SWMBO's Focus (current model).

And it's a great car: safe, stable, comfortable, etc ...
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Tue 28 Jul 2009 20:39
Second car advice - ifithelps
Another vote for a Focus.

They have loads of room behind the driver's seat, and while some people don't like the upright driving position, it makes for good visibility.

Simple control layout, everything nicely to hand, just the job for a learner.

Focuses are not the lightest cars to drive, but they are involving.

Learning in a Focus will teach the daughter about driving, she can learn to pass the test herself.




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Tue 28 Jul 2009 22:53
Second car advice - retgwte
Fiat Panda

Easy to drive for inexperienced driver

Group 2 insurance

and best of all lots of space for a tall driver

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Wed 29 Jul 2009 01:18
Second car advice - Avant
Coincidentally I've posted today on another thread that the Ford Ka - looking like a deerstalker hat on wheels - is ideal for tall drivers. Ideal for learners too and I would think both girls will like the look of it.

I'm talking about the old shape - I haven't looked closely at the new one, which is much the same car as the Fiat 500 - which your daughters would also probably like, but you'd have to check it out for headroom.

I agree with unpronounceable friend above - the Panda is well worth a look too.

Edited by Avant on 29/07/2009 at 01:19

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Thu 30 Jul 2009 11:19
Second car advice - Darkestcore
Thanks folks - I'll have a look at those suggestions this weekend.
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Thu 30 Jul 2009 13:29
Second car advice - dieselfitter
When the first of my daughters wanted to learn to drive, I switched from a company car (no learners or young drivers allowed) to the cash option and bought a Mk1 Focus 1.6 Zetec petrol. This has survived two female learners, everyone enjoys driving it (nippy and with go-cart handling), is economical - easily 40+mpg, and still going strong now with 105,000 miles on the clock. It's hard to fault and really makes me wonder why so many people have a downer on Ford.
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