ando

My friend is 19 and looking for his first car, he was thinking about a Smart For-Four, can anyone suggest anything else in the same sort of insurance bracket with a little more street cred?

TheBigMan

Some roller-blades?

ando

Ah when I say "car" I mean four wheels and an engine, not foot-wear. But five stars for a side splitting reply.

fatherpierre

I s he after new, nearly new or willing to go older? Older will mean better performance, better cred and cash left for insurance.

Personally I'd go for a deal on a new motor with free insurance.

You don't mention a budget, so hard to start with!

Andy M3

As above !

FletchCSL

Peugeot 106 quicksilver is apparantly very trendy, my nephew has one and he loves it. Its the GTi lookalike model.

StevieG

My wfie has a 1.1AX for sale - goes likea rocket

matt85

What sort of money is he/she looking at paying?
What sort of age car do they want?
Are they bothered about insurance groups (within reason)?
Do they want a quick(ish) car?

Andy M3

I would personally be looking for the safest small car around and get that. Anyone seen a 106/Saxo/Corsa etc in a crash !?!?

The crap

http://www.euroncap.com/images/resul..._saxo_2000.jpg

http://www.euroncap.com/images/resul...cento_2000.jpg

http://www.euroncap.com/images/resul...corsa_1996.jpg

The good stuff

http://www.euroncap.com/images/resul..._polo_2000.jpg

http://www.euroncap.com/images/resul...iesta_2002.jpg

http://www.euroncap.com/images/resul...en_c2_2003.jpg

Jap2Scrap

Citroen really pulled their socks up moving from the Saxo to the C2, in terms of safety at least. It's amazing how much better the C2 is in a crash.

Back on topic however, I really can't see the point in a young driver buying a new car. It's almost certain to be written off at some point within the first year. I understand the safety element of it with respect to small cars but I'd get something a bit larger (bodywise) and a bit older.

Brendan Hughes

Remember that EuroNCAP tests give ratings relative to the same size cars. So a mini is only that safe when hitting another mini. A 5-star mini is not necessarily safer when in collision with a 3-star mondeo.

Focus is a great all-rounder.

The Chief

A peugeot 106 rallye 1.6 - nice and torquey 'cos its an 8 valve and a real drivers car pretty good power to weight as well¬¬¬