Car for new driver
 

Hooray! Wife (27) has just passed her driving test!

Next problem is what to get her to ferry about herself and our little one (19 months)?

She would like large ish 4x4 *shudders* or Swedish luxo barge - better

But her reversing still isn't great, thus I'm tempted to something smaller, to avoid car park scrapes etc.

Any sensible suggestions?

Budget - prefer £1-2k, but would go to £3k

TIA

Daniel, Andrea and Clara

1.2 corsa c for 3 grand.

Thanks - agreed - how can I prove it's 'safer' that the Swedish luxo Barge?

It's a smaller target ;) :D

Buy as new a supermini as you can afford and make sure it is something like a Ford, Vauxhall or even a Rover/MG. What you need is something that is cheap to repair when she dings it, and ding it she will. Whatever you do don't go German or Japanese as they cost a bleedin' fortune to repair.

Also get yourself onto the NCAP website and download all the crash test info on the car you want and the one she wants. They will more than likely have the same ratings and that should back up your case. You could also make the point that at high speed on the motorway she is likely to be more susceptible to strong crosswinds and rolling it during an emergency manoeuvre if she is in a tall 4x4. Actually, thinking about it, a modern supermini will have miles better crash protection, be more reliable (safety implication), easier to drive and be cheaper to run than an old 4x4 of the 1-3k variety.

Whatever you do don't let her win. The last thing this world needs is another young mum in a 4x4. :nono:

Megans have good safety ratings, may not get really modern one in the budget but the crash stats and heavy initial depreciation means you should get a safe one in your price range. A little chic?

Insurance on a new driver in a big 4x4 must be pretty steep too.

I have a sweedish barge, and it is ok to park in estate guise - but due to the length of the car, it is asking for trouble putting a new driver behind the wheel. I would, depending on what car you have, try a post 2001 Clio 5 star ncap i think? You need only have it for a year or so :)

I'd go for a Focus, we just sold our W reg 1.8 with 44k miles for £3,500, the lad got a right bargain.

The mrs loved that car and ti was cheap to run - as said even though she's 27, insurance will be steep whatever she gets.

Thanks all, the depth and breadth of the ScoobyNet intelligencia has already started to help change her mind.

Re Insurance: yes, we were looking at 600 notes for the Saab 900 (it would have been £245 for me with lots of NCB!)

Re French cars: yes, I agree, the best all round car I've ever owned was a 3dr 306 DTi and I'd have another to go with the scoob like a shot

Another alternative, considering she did a lot of her learning in my Turbo 2000 wagon would be to get a wagon GL for her - they seem extremely good value considering

Thanks again

Megane or Focus, 2 sensible choices IMO

My gf is selling her Ka. 03 reg 33k miles, FFSH long tax/mot. Insurance is the cheapest you'll get for anything. Plastic bumpers, so scrape friendly. It's up for 2995 if you're interested.