greenonedave

My sons friend has just passed his test, 19 year old so, what would you all suggest as his first car, taking in mind insurance and the like,I suppose he has a budget of around £5000, Hes about 6'2'' tall and will only do around 8000 mile a year, your vast experience would be appreciated. Ta

HankScorpio

Yaris

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Small engined cars are the best bet, try a 1.4ltr astra or focus, can be quite stylish so he doesnt look a complete fool but not much go (well enough for a 19 year old )

Tony

ScooByer Trade

The Corolla i mentioned is too powerful at 190bhp and the review isn't that great.

fpan

iTrader: (11)

Something with good handling and forgiving, not too powerful.

stilover

Can't go wrong with a Fiesta.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

That. Blue Oval, can't go wrong there.

5t.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Please don't! They are horrible little cars. I'm only 5'7 and I couldn't get comfortable! Knees kept hitting the sterring wheel!

mrtheedge2u2

Original Forcus 1.8 3 dr.

andys

wish my folks forked out 5000 grand on a motor for me at 19.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Actually, parents bought a Mitsi Colt not long ago. Good little motor and well packed with extras. Only a 1.3 too....

5t.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Something with a small engine and ESP !

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

get him a GTi of some sorts, give him something to be excited about at least

crofty

I'm 5' 9 and had a Yaris Tsport for a year, brilliant little car, never had any problems

stilover

To look at on the driveway?

Because at just passing his driving test anything GTI'ish will mean Thousands in Insurance. If any company would touch him in the first place.

Max 1.4 litre for the first couple years.

greenonedave

Thanks so far ! its his own money and the insurance is the killer in regards as to choice. The Seat /Polo type size any comments ?

Underworld

some 3000£ polo, 1000£ insurance and 1000 for a years fuel...

SC008Y_MAD

iTrader: (5)

I have a TSport and I am 6ft 41/2" tall and I find it OK.

robby

punto grande
suzuki swift
golf 1.4

ScoobTypeR

What does he want to spend insurance wise???

ScooByer Trade

Does he want 3 dr, 5 dr hatch or a big wafting saloon.The insurance shouldn't be too bad on this:

Auto Trader UK - TOYOTA COROLLA 1.6 VVTi GLS 5dr Liftback=


It's got full Toyota service history and has done 36,200 miles from new apparently with a decent spec list too.I actually drove a sort of blue/purple one of these, as a first car and are a nice to drive.The one i drove had the 1.3 engine in.

or this

Auto Trader UK - HONDA CIVIC 1.6i LS 2dr Coupe=

Mew

to be honest my opinion is take advantage of the car market and buy the cheapest decent car u can get. because if u buy a £4000-£5000 thats goin to be worth peanuts in a years time.

id say buy a saxo 1.6 vtr which can be had for less than £1000, its not goin to go down much more is it??? the most ul lose out on that would be £1000, or if saxo is not what he wants there are loads of decent cars that would have cost £2500-£3500 6mths ago that now cost less than £1000, astras and even golf mark 4 r cheap. i saw a 99plate fiesta for £500.......

just depends on what he wants.. end of the day in this market now, cash is king

Underworld

depends what sort of car he wants really... hatch?? 3 dr 5 dr? saloon?? he just passed, giving him a big 5k car i dont think would be appropriate... a 1500£ - 2000£ car should be enough reliable and good to start with....

he can get a better one when he's got enough experience on the road i suppose

djmisio85

Get him something cheap, that runs....

My first car was a citroen ax..... slow, cheap, tacky, but I loved it to bits.
Not saying that he will crash, but a higher likelyhood that he will when he is a beginner, and if so, best do it in a cheap car lol

Also you learn to fix the car which isnt too risky on cheap cars, and if you want to learn to drive fast, no better way than doing it in a slow car, because then if you can drive a slow car fast, just imagine what you can do in a fast car

oadamo

iTrader: (1)

should ask him if hes into modded cars or just standard ones. a corsa is prob the best bet cheap to buy and live with. but look ok with a nice set of wheels on. i had a metro turbo for my first car lol. the car cost me 1500 the insurance was 3k. and that was about 10 years ago *** me iam getting old
adam

skinters

At that age, it's totally driven by insurance prices. I'd sit on elephant or something and run through a few cars of choice - just keep changing the cars and see what premiums come up as a guide - then phone round with the car you end up with.

At 19 it's not worth trying to get something remotely fast as the premiums are so harsh.

and spending 5k is stupid. I am 32 and still havent spent more than 5k on any car!

My cousin is 17 and just spent 5k on a 600 Ninja. He spends £50 per week on insurance.... (work that out). Even more stupid is it's detuned to 33bhp or whatever so he doesnt get the performance either. Crazy.

Coffin Dodger

Really not worth spending much on a first car, should be able to get something pretty decent for under a grand these days. As mentioned it's highly likely he'll have some sort of crash within a few years or passing and also bound to have a few scrapes along the way. Doesn't seem half as bad doing a bit of light damage to an cheap old car than to one worth £5k.

greenonedave

The last comments make a lot of sense, hes bound to prang it or rag it, Did not think of that side of the debate, ta keep em coming please

GlesgaKiss

I agree with that. I had a focus - although it was the 1.8 - and it was probably the most balanced car i've ever driven. Astra is much the same now. Both look good as well as Tony says, and are nice cars to be in.

Wouldn't bother with older honda's etc. I love them as well, but not for a first car. Focus is a nice car that a girl wouldn't mind getting into: that is all that matters for a first car.

HankScorpio

was looking at Yaris today, 1.4d is group 4, 70mpg and 30 quid tax.
I'm sure a 19yo would appreciate those aspects.