Suitable cars for new drivers

[Porker]

My neighbours' son has just passed his driving test and is looking for a car to transport him to college and his part-time job.

He has asked my advice on what might suit him. He is a sensible lad and appreciates that his first car will need to be a sober hatchback with a small engine - the insurance costs are high enough anyway.

The basic brief is as follows:

Budget: up to £3,000 for the car itself
Engine: Up to 1.3 litres, although he should perhaps consider a small diesel as well.

He's not bothered about the make. It just needs to be as nice as possible to drive, reliable and economical.

What do folks think might suit him? I should mention that he is about 6'2" tall, so it's going to need to be able to accommodate a big driver.

regards
P.

[Red Herring]

Probably not strictly useful here but my 13 year old son has already started to plan for his first car and he came up with a bit of a surprise (or maybe not). Apparently kit cars are not that expensive for youngsters to insure, especially if they have small engines and only two seats. He is now pricing up a Lotus 7 lookalike with a 600cc motorbike engine and working out when he has to start building it to be ready for his 17th birthday. I'm wondering if we can have it ready before then so I get to play with it...!

[Angus]

Another thought, if 4 seats aren't essential is a small van.

Car like to drive, but as you haven't as many passengers to distract you they're often cheaper to insure

[Porker]

Good thought - thanks.

P.

[Red Herring]

Another thought, if 4 seats aren't essential is a small van.

Car like to drive, but as you haven't as many passengers to distract you they're often cheaper to insure

And have considerably more room in the back......

[Why_Aye]

Of course, I'd suggest an old Landrover. Get one that is old enough to be tax exempt and has only two seats, then the insurance will be quite reasonable from a specialist like NFU Mutual (assuming it doesn't have a V8 engine).

And none of this not nice to drive nonsense! They are wonderful - and you can't go fast in them.

[PeteG]

Another thought, if 4 seats aren't essential is a small van.

Car like to drive, but as you haven't as many passengers to distract you they're often cheaper to insure

And have considerably more room in the back......

I never hesitate to recommend a 90s Micra - 1.0s are frugal, cheap to insure, and quick enough without being too quick for an inexperienced driver. Easy and cheap to service, even DIY, and they generally don't go wrong.
Your budget will get a minter... 1.3s are a good bit quicker, but a good bit more expensive insurance wise, in my experience.
Of course, he'll then have to don a flat cap and motor everywhere at 43mph...

[Gareth]

We had a SKoda Felicia a while back and that was reasonably nice to drive and it also had good headroom for a tall person.

[Porker]

I had wondered about the Felicia. I believe the smallest engine is a 1.3 litre, but maybe the lower value of the car will help with insurance?

P.

[ScoobyChris]

My first cars were 90's Micra's and they really did seem to be bulletproof and took abuse well. Our fleet all managed 100k over the space of a couple of years without one single issue and all returned 50+mpg despite being driven enthusiastically and suffering a couple of learners.

My only concern about that sort of car now is the low EuroNCAP rating so I'd be looking for something of a bit newer design which would stand up better in the event of a crash. Our '96 Corsa stood up well to being sideswiped by a 44 tonne truck on the motorway.

Chris

[Porker]

Ford Ka...

Yes, another one on my list of possibles. Do you think a 6'2" driver would be able to achieve a proper seating position in one?

I should have also mentioned that the young driver will also be taking the IAM course with me as observer, as will his dad and his dad's business partner, after some cajoling from my good self.

I'll introduce him to this site very shortly so he can benefit from the advice and experience of contributors on here.

P.

[Renny]

I'd go with the KA if he can get comfy. Otherwise the Land Rover option is also good for cheap insurance and lowish running costs (if the mileage is kept down)

[Gareth]

Ford Ka...

Do you think a 6'2" driver would be able to achieve a proper seating position in one?

I have enthusiastically driven a Ka of StressedDave's aquaintance and found no problem with headroom.

[TripleS]

Another thought, if 4 seats aren't essential is a small van.

Car like to drive, but as you haven't as many passengers to distract you they're often cheaper to insure

And have considerably more room in the back......

See, there's life in the old boy yet.

It would have been tricky, though no doubt fun, in the Sprite, but of course we were young and innocent and well behaved in those days. Now we're less young, a bit less innocent, and certainly less well behaved.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[AlistairL]

Another thought, if 4 seats aren't essential is a small van.

Car like to drive, but as you haven't as many passengers to distract you they're often cheaper to insure

The all round visibility sucks though.