Car insurance - 17 yr old

[MadMum2015]

Hello all
It's that time, DS turns 17 in the spring and is desperate to start driving. Problem is he has inherited my petrol headedness so will be a fussy bugger. We have a 5.5K budget for the car but the bigger concern is insurance - it seems impossible to get any kind of estimate on insurance costs until he actually has a licence, they will quote on the provisional licence but that is not really indicative of cost once he's passed his test. The 2 cars he most likes within budget are 2010-2013 Alpha Guiletta or Astra GTC but they are group 23 and 25 respectively. Does anyone have idea what this kind of level of car would cost to insure for a 17 year old? My gut is telling me that if he wants a nice car he needs to wait till he's earning but I don't have the evidence to quantify the difference at this point. I've been pressing him to consider the 5 door Astra with the same engine as the 1.6 GTC which is only a group 15 but I don't know what that difference of 10 groups means in insurance costs. I'm sure it will be an easier conversation once I can show him!

Anyone know what the costs would be or how to go about getting the data?
Thanks!

Also as a learner with 6 months of lessons and driving in my own car I’d say you need to rethink your car choice. That’s so powerful for a new driver, something smaller would be better for a year or two until they get the hang of it. I’ve noticed especially that my lessons have taught me to drive but only to pass a test and a certain area, I’m still finding out so much and my 1.2 Clio is more than enough for day to day. Plus cheaper insurance

I doubt he will get insurance in either car. My insurers refused to put my 18 year old ( passed a year ago) on my C series merc

My gut is telling me that if he wants a nice car he needs to wait till he's earning

You do not seem particulary concerned that he will be jumping straight out of supervised learning into a car with, depending on the model, circa 160 horse power and 0-60 under 8 seconds.

You will know your son best but this does not seem a very good idea. They might legally be allowed to drive but they have zero real life driving experience. I dont think somebody has really learned to drive until they have had at least 6 months out there alone on the roads. You might think they are sensible but peer pressure can be strong in teens. If he ends up with the most powerful car out of his mates which one do you think they will be out there flying around in?

Get them a bog standard hatchback that will not matter if it gets scratched or dented and more importantly does not have more power than they are used too.

Postcode is also taken into account by insurers so you really can’t get a benchmark from what others pay. Cars that are popular with youngsters - hatchbacks- will invariably cost more because the loss rate for insurers is likely to be higher. Your best bet is a reputable broker with access to a large book of underwriters. Also look out for things such as large excesses that aren’t entirely obvious. Also comprehensive cover is sometimes cheaper than third party. Cars unattractive to youngsters e.g Volvos will be cheaper than hatches.

As has previously been mentioned put the details into compare the market etc that you will have ONCE the test has been passed along with a number plate for the sort of car you/he is looking for. We've been doing this for the last 5 years (two daughters 23 and 20) and there are 4 boys coming along that we'll be doing the same with. Sometimes you can think outside of the box for the type of vehicle if he a proper petrolhead but a 'snazzy' Astra etc is going to be bloody dear.....