Learner Car - Turbo or Not?

[sniffydog]

We're getting a second car for general taxi service ferrying for our 3 x teens but also for eldest DD to start learning in in 5 months when she turns 17. We wanted something cheap but pleasant enough for us to drive too and it looks like the old Golf Mk5 or Audi A3 would fit the bill. All the reviews say the 1.4 turbo charged engine is a good one to go for as it's 'zippy' (vs non-turbo) but very good economy and low insurance. But a friend said that her daughter and all her friends had been car shopping and all had issues with stalling any turbo charged cars due to the boost. Has anybody experienced this? Any advice welcomed pls!

Have you looked at insurance? Particularly once she's passed if she's to be the main driver. Most people go for low insurance cars for teenagers to learn in when safety & cost are more of a consideration than nippiness.

I would doubt very much whether your children would get insured once they pass their test if the car is "turbo charged!

You need to get a car for them that is low engine. Even my son's first Corsa 1 litre was £1600 to insure a few years ago.

I agree with the above. But if you can afford the insurance and decide to go with that type of car then the idea she might be unable to drive it because of stalling it is ridiculous. Stall a couple of times and you'll learn how not to, just like any aspect of driving

I've had cars with turbo in the past and never noticed any difference in day to day driving. As others have said insurance is going to be the major issue with a new driver

Thanks for the replies. I'd heard horror stories about insurance. She wouldn't be the main diver of this car but have it to learn in/use occasionally. If/when she goes off to uni we'd probably then get her something very slow/cheap to insure. Then move on to DD no. 2!

So if you plan to get her another cheap (normal for a teenager) car when she goes to uni, is this actually a car for you? If so why not say that

Or are you going to buy her two cars?