To ask you what my first car should be?

[GreasyHairDoNotCare]

Cars are uncharted territory for me. I have my test on the 6th Feb and so am starting to think about my first car.

Requirements:
•5door
•large enough boot for a pram
•budget £4K
•suitable for a 5" short arse

Any help would be greatly appreciated

I was going to say Ford Fiesta until saw the pram bit - I've struggled so would go with one size up maybe a focus?

VW Polo - big enough for what you need it for, cheap to run, economical..

I agree with engine size low 1.1 1.2 possibly 1.4 Not only for the insurance purposes but you need to think of other outgoings like
Car Tax- Even 1.1 1.2 1.3 can be £150 Tax a year + some can find as low as £20 - £30 a year like the Aygo, Panda,

I've also been checking things like tyres for when that comes around on my partner's car they are £600+ for all 4 to be replaced Mid range we couldn't find budget at 6 garages for his. It's not even sporty its just a family car, we didn't look into anything like that when we bought it so that was a shock! mine are £38 each £152 total for budget -mid range including fitting

Petrol - If your not going to be doing mega motorway miles you probably won't want or need a diesel plus if you're in the UK the government are looking into diesel cars it could become a lot more expensive to own one in the future.

Have been told by two garages to avoid French cars, I had a Nissan Micra for my first car reasonable boot its ready to see the scrap heap now as its 13 years old this year but I've only really spent maintenance; services, tyres, Mot ect

Nissan Micra

Ford fiesta, looks small but boot can actually fit quite a bit (I had 2 super large suitcases, 2 small, 3 kids backpacks and a bag for life full of snacks and drinks in mine.) Super reliable, cheap to insure, minimal road tax (think it was £30), nice and comfy. I can fit a highback, a booster and a larger child who doesn't need a car seat on the back seats easily. I love my fiesta.

I looked at your pram online... you're going to need a huge boot if you're planning to use that pram.

A fiesta or focus sized car will fit a smaller pram or possibly that one with nothing else in the boot, but having a boot that's completely full all the time isn't practical, where do you put your other stuff?

Something with a proper big boot is going to be the next size up at least.

I'd look at cars that suit you and then get a pram that fits tbh, its way cheaper that way round.

For comparison the pram fits in a Renault Clio and a Vauxhall corsa

Get something cheap.
You may have passed your test, but now your going to learn to drive.
We all scrape and hit the wall then we first drive alone. get something cheap and cheerful for a year and save towards a better one in 2019.

Skoda Fabia. Really spacious hatchback and lovely to drive. They're owned by VW and are basically the same as a polo for a fraction of the price

Another recommendation for VW golf. I got a really good deal on a second hand one just before having dd in December, absolutely love it. Good for zipping around town yet small enough so that I can park it without any trouble. Still feels solid and substantial though (to me, more substantial that the Hyundai's I tried but that's just me!)
Was originally after a polo but I could only fit my monstrosity pram in the boot after taking the wheels off, which was extra hassle I could do without. So make sure you test it out first!

Although as pp's have said, the Skoda Fabia is an excellent and relatively cheaper car - I had one as my first many years ago. And yeah, it's basically made by the same company who make VW, Audi etc. So perhaps ignore my previous post, as I obviously got sucked into the VW 'label'

Toyota Yaris - fab little cars - easily seat 4 large adults and has a decent size boot too. It doesn't feel or drive like a little car also which is the gripe i have with Fiestas.

If you can tolerate how ugly they are, I'd go for a Skoda Fabia. You'll get more for your money than going for a VW or Ford.

We have a Honda Frv but I'm still learning to drive, I'll just have to get on with driving it when I pass as we can't afford another car just yet. The boot fits a double/bugaboo donkey well though so it's good for space.

I have downsized from a focus to a fiesta. I miss the large flat loading space of the focus, and find the fiesta boot very small comparatively. I won't get another fiesta. It is gutless too. Only downsized because I found the focus rather thirsty. Second buying something not too expensive as you may well have a few minor dings with inanimate objects. It would be cheaper to get a pram that fits the car rather than vice versa.

Skoda Fabia, low insurance and can fit a pram in the boot. Nice car to drive too.

Buy cheap. Don't spend your budget. The first year after passing is when you really learn to drive. Buy a cheap older runaround. Drive it for a year and get your first year insurance done then upgrade.
My 17 year old son passed in October 2017. We got him a fiat punto. Cost £250. He's had bumps and prangs already, all with walls or posts and kerbs. All cosmetic damage but it's enabled him to learn and then he can buy a better car in October. His insurance is £1700 for the year but he's limited to 4K miles.

I think it’d be better to opt for a smaller pram so you can get a smaller car. Trying to drive something big is a nightmare when you’re still nervous about parking etc. Plus insurance is cheaper. You can cope with a small stroller once they’re six months or so anyway.

My first car was a fiesta which was lovely to drive and relatively cheap to run. You’d get a decent second hand one for £4K. My corsa also has a decent boot for its size and is very comfortable for short drivers.

I am looking up all of your suggestions and i can't for the life of me seem to find anything at or below my budget from locally dealers. Is it just my area that makes the prices so high?! I am on the border of London and Surrey, so south east of the country.

I bought my Fabia 58 plate for £4500 3 years ago I think but I'm in Wales...

My first car fitted all these requirements
Although boot was compact it fitted my bugaboo bee in it!
And was reliable
Cheap to run
Cheap to insure
Nippy enough to not be annoying
Cheap to maintain (not that much needed doing past tires, oil and wipers)
Comfortable
Easy to drive and even easier to park
Seats could fold down at back to give huge boot space when needed (ikea / tip / moving)

I've just sold it to a friend after 13 fab years
It was an old style Toyota Yaris and if my kids hadn't got so big I would have kept it longer

I'm 4'11 btw and DH is 5'11 with long legs and both could drive it
The new Yaris has a bigger boot so may be more up your street

Skoda Fabia. Just get engine 1.2 litre. Agree cars are more expensive nearer London.

Skoda Fabia! Depends on the pram though. Ford's have quite short seat belts which might affect your car seats. Nissan Almera are also not great for many car seats due to the position of the belt clips

I got a second hand zafira. 7 seater. So. The back. Seats made Loads of room for pram and shopping etc.
Was cheap to insure too even as a first time driver was about £311 a yr