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Original poster

Best car for 17 year old new driver travelling long distances to college

26 replies

AlexanderHamilton · 27/07/2018 15:56

Dd is 17 soon and is hoping to start driving lessons.

I was wondering if anyone could reccomend a decent, reliable car that will enable her to travel 40 odd miles to college each day, possibly with a passenger and occasionally carrying equipment (keyboard, mini amp etc) that is insurable for a young driver. She will have to be named as the main driver.

OP posts:
AtreidesFreeWoman · 27/07/2018 16:07

Nearly everyone I know (who can afford it) has bought a Toyota Aygo.

We're looking at one for DS. Test drove it and will likely buy one. Not the fastest acceleration but perfectly fine and held steady at 70mph.

Super reliable - can get 3 or 5 door versions.

Low insurance group.

Not the biggest boot but you can put the back seats down as it's a hatchback.

I'd definitely take a look at one.

Redact · 27/07/2018 16:07

VW Polo? That was my first car and also DS's. They've both been very reliable.

user546425732 · 27/07/2018 16:09

Ford Fiestas seem popular round here if the 6th form car park is anything to go by.

Disfordarkchocolate · 27/07/2018 16:11

Our last car was a Hyundai i10, I miss it. Lots of bang for your buck and lovely and sturdy, easy to park too.

AtreidesFreeWoman · 27/07/2018 16:13

We looked at a Polo but the insurance was crippling if the young driver was the main driver.

If you want a VW the the UP! is what you should look at.

It's more solid than the Aygo but more expensive and frankly looks more boxy imho. Any options are also far more expensive.

The base model was the same price as the mid level Aygo and that has alloys, DAB, touch screen and reversing camera.

That said it's a good car and was a contender for us but as I said all things considered we will likely buy the Aygo.

We are just deciding if we buy new or something a year/18 months old.

AtreidesFreeWoman · 27/07/2018 16:23

Sorry the key thing here is not what people are driving but what the insurance status is.

Even a Fiesta is very expensive if they are the main driver.

A young driver as a named driver on a parents Fiesta is doable - however insurance ramps up massively when they are the main driver.

What we did OP was start with a search on cars recommended for teen drivers as the main driver.

The usual suspects are: Aygo, UP!, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 (some of those are based on the same chassis - basically the same car but different styling).

Just google best cars low insurance new drivers (or similar) and you'll get results like that below:

www.gocompare.com/covered/2017/10/cheap-cars-for-young-drivers/

MinaPaws · 27/07/2018 16:28

Are people going for hybrids or old style petrol/diesel?

Haberpop · 27/07/2018 16:31

My two drove a Skoda Fabia until they could afford their own cars, insured as main driver but relatively low cost because not many kids drive them.

user546425732 · 27/07/2018 16:32

A young driver as a named driver on a parents Fiesta is doable - however insurance ramps up massively when they are the main driver.

£800 Fully comp with Admiral for a new driver here with a diesel Fiesta.

greendale17 · 27/07/2018 16:33

Nissan Micra- not the coolest car but very reliable, good MPG and cheap to run

MotherofTerriers · 27/07/2018 16:34

Skoda fabia. It has a safety sensor which brakes to stop you hitting something provided that you are driving at less than 30. Brings the insurance cost down

TeenTimesTwo · 27/07/2018 16:35

Nissan Micras seem reliable even when old. It was what DD used to learn to drive in and for first year. (Admiral multicar insurance, no black box). Just upgraded to not quite as old Hyundai i10.

I'd go for something with lots of safety features for that length commute and a young driver.

Original poster
AlexanderHamilton · 27/07/2018 16:41

It will sadden him greatly but we may have to sell dh’s quashqai to pay for it.

It’s balancing the boot space we are used to on the quashquai with insurance costs.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlexanderHamilton · 27/07/2018 16:43

I could put myself down as the main driver but seeing as I have a company car I drive every day I’m guessing it wouldn’t really be legal to do that.

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 27/07/2018 16:49

You mustn't do 'fronting'. But you can be a named driver which might well help.
If stuff needs to be in the boot rather than a back seat, then make sure you check it fits - don't just go on the stated volume. When I switched years ago from Fiesta to Corsa I was disappointed - the boot was 'bigger' but had smaller area so wasn't as useful for what I needed.

itbemay · 27/07/2018 16:56

my DD passed recently and we bought her a Fiat 500, insurance was £1600 - was cheaper for myself to be a named driver, also we do live in London.

Kezzie200 · 10/08/2018 16:57

My Aygo has just been passed to my son for his first car. My daughters boyfriend has a VW up, which looks similar but cooler.

headstone · 30/09/2018 21:59

Nissan tino almera. Safe, cheap and loves the motorway. Road tax a bit pricey but insurance should be cheap. Massive boot.

headstone · 30/09/2018 21:59

It’s not a looker though.

Whisky2014 · 30/09/2018 22:03

My first car (i was 24) when i commuted 40 miles including country roads, dual carriageway and city was a Seat ibiza ecomotive. It was amazing! Nippy, alot more sturdy than youd expect, i got 64mpg. It was amazing and actually was a fab car. Was good in snow and stuff too. Got me through loads of tricky situations, flooded roads and deep snow. Honestly really recommend it. I added on leather interior and heated seats. Totally worth it. Jeez im kinda grieving it now.

Whisky2014 · 30/09/2018 22:05

I would no way reccommend a nisdan micra for a 40 mile commute. Thats a tad too small and light. Hed be blown away in hugh winds:D
My top 3
Seat ibiza
Ford focus
Skoda fabia

DownstairsMixUp · 30/09/2018 22:08

I say a micra to, 2003 onward models aren't ugly and reliable. I only passed August 2017 and have a micra 2003 plate. Cheap insurance, good mpg and had no issues with it aside from needing new battery and a new sensor thing as it was over heating. Both cheap parts.

Mightybanhammer · 30/09/2018 22:08

The train?

DownstairsMixUp · 30/09/2018 22:09

I have done long commutes by the way and it's sturdy, i live by the sea so often driving in windy conditions !

Whisky2014 · 30/09/2018 22:13

Yikes. Thats good i guess but theres no way id want my teen to drive it. It would crumple instantly if there was a collision. Need something a little sturdier imo. A c1 is also not sufficient imo.