First time driver

[blueremembered]

I'm about to start driving lessons and thinking slightly ahead about what sort of car I should get as a first car.

Doesn't have to be large, just needs to get me from A to B really. Any ideas?

You need to narrow it down a bit.

Do you need much boot space?
Do you need to put car seats in ?
Are you particularly tall or particularly short ?
What sort of budget ?
Is there much distance between A and B ?
what I mean is, will you be doing lots of 'short hops' of under 5 miles, or are the 30miles between A and B
Do you live rurally or in a city?

Sorry I am totally new to driving!

I am tall (nearly 6ft), about 15 miles between A and B (home and work) but live rurally so will travel within they distance as well.

No need for car seats yet or boot space - I literally need something that will take me to work!

In terms of budget I want less than £3000 ideally - but as I said I'm useless at cars so no idea if this is realistic or not, if it isn't I'm open to being corrected!

My first car was a 500 banger i learnt to drive in, was roadworthy but whilst learning i reversed it into a wall, after i passed i reversed it into a wall trying to get it in the garage then hit a pole in the supermarket trying to bay park for the first time so the backend of it was a bit of a mess,, for this reason i kept it for a year. Was a 1 litre, hardly used any petrol. A year after passing and being more confident i got a bigger better car and havent hit anything in it but its 1.6 and costs a lot more to run, double the petrol and tax, its fremch so parts cost a fortune, £45 for windscreen wipers, double the price for brake pads. You dont think of things like this, well i didnt when you buy a car. I would stick with a 1litre fiesta or a focus, look into how much parts are for certain models as being a used car for 3000 parts will eventually need replaced

A Toyota Yaris would probably be the perfect car. Can get a decent one for £3k. Reliable and cheap to run.

I'd spend £500 on something like a Yaris or a Skoda or a corsa or a fiesta or a micra etc. etc.
1 litre engine. Keeps the insurance low. Parts don't cost too much when replacing them, etc. If something expensive goes wrong then just replace with another similar car.

the important thing is to ask around for recommendations of an honest and trustworthy garage / mechanic.

I've been driving since I was 17 and I'm 22 now, I still buy small cars as it helps with the costs. I got a 63 reg Ford Ka, cost £3900 and really good on fuel, insurance and tax

How many seats do you need? 2/4/5?

Do you have a preference for Petrol or Diesel?

Are you looking to buy something to last you 12 months then upgrade or look for something bigger/better? Or are you looking for something to last you?

Whereabouts in the country are you?

Given you are a new driver and presumably under 25 I would also look at how much insurance will be as it will probably be into four figures for comprehensive cover. So look for small engine and lower power. Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra, Vauxhall corsa Ford Fiesta/ka etc. Get some idea of insurance costs by calling a broker before buying...

Get the SAFEST car you can afford. £500 bangers are great until you're in an accident and they fold like an accordion.

Thanks everyone this is really useful. Toyota Yaris has come up a few times, and has also been recommended in real life so will definitely be looking into that - I would rather pay a little more for something safe and reliable.

In terms of insurance - the prices are terrifying! I live very very rurally however so don't really have a choice in the matter.

I’ve been driving forever but have 3 sons who have been in your situation. Mine have driven Ford Fiestas and Vauxhall Corsas. As others have said look for small cars with 1 litre engine to keep insurance/petrol costs down. Google cheap cars for learners/first time drivers. There are banded insurance groups for the cheapest cars. As someone else said also look for safety ratings as well. Some small cheap cars are like driving in tin cans. I was in a Fiat one and felt quite unsafe. I’ve been driving Suzuki cars for the past 4 years and they are safe and quite fuel efficient. I’ve driven the swift but I believe the smaller cars are good value and as nice to drive.