Car for a learner driver

NeilF · 13 Jan 2020 at 16:50

So my son turns 17 next month and we plan on getting a car for him to learn in, and then of course once he passes, to then drive. Looking around the £3000 mark.

I've run quotes through for driving with a provisional and then full (with no NCD) licence, and the following seem to be sensible options:-
Vauxhall Corsa (upto 1.4ltr)
Suzuki Swift
Ford Fiesta (1.25ltr)

Any other suggestions? Any other advice from folks who have been through this?

ttaskmaster · 13 Jan 2020 at 17:15

NeilFawcett said:
Any other suggestions? Any other advice from folks who have been through this?

Instructors' cars are usually fitted with dual controls and they carry their own insurance.
Far better option.

jsmoke · 13 Jan 2020 at 17:20

Research tax bands and insurance first, darn expensive for new drivers.

Dis86 · 13 Jan 2020 at 17:25

Any other suggestions? Aye - get a qualified driving instructor with their own car.

NeilF · 13 Jan 2020 at 19:46

Dis86 said:
Any other suggestions? Aye - get a qualified driving instructor with their own car.

That's a given :rolleyes:

But my son will benefit from extra driving practice in their own car with us, and then he will need his own car as I suspect the instructor won't be keen on giving my son theirs...

andy_mk3 · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:00

Definitely look at insurance costs first. The little hatchbacks can end up being very expensive due to the statistics. I worked with a guy ~5 years ago whos first car was a 1.8tdi Mondeo estate as it was significantly cheaper to insure despite being bigger and faster than a 1.25 Fiesta.

Uncle_Gravy · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:05

2007-2011 Renault Twingo with the 1.2 TCE (turbo) engine.

Cheap to buy, cheap to run.

iamdjdz · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:18

I'd probably go for a Corsa or Fiesta as you've mentioned. And for me it was only when my dad took me out that I learnt properly, driving lessons were good but we had a Fiat Punto (used to be my mum's until she died) that he took me out in and things like proper clutch control were much easier to learn when you can stall yourself! Personally I recommend this, and my dad isn't even that good a driver but coupled with lessons me and one of my bros passed first time, the other was second.

Rroff · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:28

I learnt on a Renault Clio but things have changed a lot since then as above you'll want to look at a range of vehicles insurance wise as for a new driver especially the cost can vary hugely and not in a way you might expect. Might be worth looking at the Honda Civic as well.

Dis86 · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:42

NeilFawcett said:
That's a given

But my son will benefit from extra driving practice in their own car with us, and then he will need his own car as I suspect the instructor won't be keen on giving my son theirs...

Honestly you may roll your eyes but I'd allow him to pass his test with a qualified instructor first. He may pass his test driving with you but will pick up bad habits. They may not fail him his test but won't serve him well on the roads.

AiiR · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:45

I had a car bought for me along with lessons in an instructors car. For me personally it made things worse because the clutch was a lot lighter so I never really drove it until I passed.

Orionaut · 13 Jan 2020 at 20:52

Back in the day the advice was the biggest, heaviest, and strongest one you can afford.

Unfortunately the Inscos have put the kybosh on that idea!

:/

jsmoke · 13 Jan 2020 at 21:00

Dis86 said:
Honestly you may roll your eyes but I'd allow him to pass his test with a qualified instructor first. He may pass his test driving with you but will pick up bad habits. They may not fail him his test but won't serve him well on the roads.

I agree, driving is something best learned proper to start with.

jsmoke · 13 Jan 2020 at 21:00

Orionaut said:
Back in the day the advice was the biggest, heaviest, and strongest one you can afford.

Unfortunately the Inscos have put the kybosh on that idea!

:/

Ford Granada.

NeilF · 13 Jan 2020 at 21:21

Dis86 said:
Honestly you may roll your eyes but I'd allow him to pass his test with a qualified instructor first. He may pass his test driving with you but will pick up bad habits. They may not fail him his test but won't serve him well on the roads.

He will have an instructor etc. We're also looking to get a car to do extra driving in, and then for when he passes.

NeilF · 13 Jan 2020 at 21:23

andy_mk3 said:
Definitely look at insurance costs first. The little hatchbacks can end up being very expensive due to the statistics. I worked with a guy ~5 years ago whos first car was a 1.8tdi Mondeo estate as it was significantly cheaper to insure despite being bigger and faster than a 1.25 Fiesta.

Funny you say that. Someone mentioned Vauxhall Vectras were cheap for new drivers.

Obviously it's just the size of the car that's the downside.

Lartyconshayo · 13 Jan 2020 at 21:27

Skoda fabia ?

andy_mk3 · 13 Jan 2020 at 21:50

NeilFawcett said:
Funny you say that. Someone mentioned Vauxhall Vectras were cheap for new drivers.

Obviously it's just the size of the car that's the downside.

Yeah can be a downside but I think most would soon get used to it. If it was a bit of an old banger a few scuffs would never hurt anyway

K.C. Leblanc · 13 Jan 2020 at 22:04

I would get him up and running with lessons first. Driving with parents is very helpful for some and not a big benefit for others. The key thing is you shouldn't really be teaching him to drive but instead letting him practice what he's learnt in his lessons and build his confidence.

Explosivo · 13 Jan 2020 at 22:21

Peugeot 107/Citroen C1/ Toyota Aygo
Low insurance group, £20 tax, good mpg.