I'm in my 50s and I've never bought a car before

[Headingtowardsdivorce]

Like the title says, I'm in my 50s and I've never bought a car before, so can I ask for your advice?

I know that I want to buy a second hand, smallish car with a smallish engine, so that my teenagers can learn to drive in it without breaking the bank with insurance.

Any recommendations?

Also, I'm not sure whether to look at electric, hybrid or petrol engines.

I’d look at something like a Toyota Aygo if you want cheap insurance for the kids, or is that too small? And I’d stick to petrol personally.

Are you looking for an automatic? I learned to drive in my fifties and am now on my second car, a 2004 Toyota Corolla. I know very little about cars, but of the few I've driven, I'd definitely recommend this one. Corollas have a very good reputation (except the models from 2000-2003, I think) and this one's very easy to drive, zippier than the Honda CRV I had before, and Toyota go on providing replacement parts for older models, unlike Honda.

For teenage learners you need to decide whether they will want to learn to drive an automatic or a manual. Electric cars are all manual.

The more expensive the car the higher their insurance is going to be.

Work out your price point and go to trusted local garages/dealers. Don't buy the first car you see. There will be a LOT of pressure. Bring a friend if you can.

Thanks! I definitely want them to learn to drive in a manual, and I hadn't even thought about the availability of spare parts so that's definitely worth thinking about.

I'm definitely leaning towards a petrol engine just because that's all I've ever known and I don't have a charging point at home for an electric.

Skoda Fabia

Larger cars can be safer and cheaper to insure.

Our learner has an “old man’s” Volvo. Lovely, comfortable, safe car and because it’s not popular with young drivers we sorted a good insurance package.

Not correct, most electric cars are automatic.

as they do not need a clutch or gears to power the vehicle. In fact, most electric cars are single-speed and deliver constant and instant power.

Skoda Fabia is my recommendation too.

Really? I love old Volvo's so that would be ideal!

Is the car for you to drive as well?
If also for you, is it more for you or for the teenagers?

I am in a similar position, I have bought a car before but this time don't have anyone to help me.
I am looking at a small car like the Hyundai i10 or i20 but not quite sure the best way to go about buying it.

It's for me as well @LarkspurLane

I think I'm going to be spending far more time than I'll enjoy, reading about cars in the next few weeks!

At least this thread has ruled out electric, as I definitely want a manual car.

Agreed that most electrics are automatic.

I love my electric car - I bought a Corsa-e second hand from a dealer and it's v good. I do feel bad that ds will have to pass on an automatic though, and I think the charger at home is pretty essential unless you get something with a huge range and don't drive very much.

Your youngsters are not going to spend their lives driving manual petrol vehicles as they are old hat, so I'd go for a small electric or hybrid, like a fiat 500.

I'd get either a Toyota Aygo, or there's a Peugeot/Citroen/Toyota tiny car, where it's basically the same car from one of these three models.

Another option would be one of the VW Up, Skoda Citigo or Seat Mii. Again, all the same car, and all as cheap as can be on insurance. If it's going to be second hand and cheap, you want petrol, as you can't charge an electric car and it's not worth the extra cost unless you can charge it cheaply and do a decent amount of mileage.

Check the road tax rate as those registered before (I think) April 2017, will only be £20/30 a year tax, so another saving over newer ones, where it's about £200 a year.

Sorry, I of course meant electric cars are automatic. Brain had a moment.