Should a 17 year old buy a new car for their first car?

[Jamie7399]

Hi all,

I'm soon going to be turning 17, and taking driving lessons & test.

My background: I currently run my own business which earns me a significant amount and allows me to live comfortably. I will be completing an apprenticeship (as it's the law to stay in education until 18) for an A Level and an extra salary so the money wouldn't be an issue.

At the moment, I'm looking at getting a car on business lease (not finance) where I get a new car every 24 months and just pay a monthly amount of £220 (which is incredibly doable in my situation). That's for a brand new Mercedes A Class AMG Line. It's been my motivation to work hard for so long and now I'll be in a position to have it.

As the money isn't an issue with leasing/insurance etc, I wanted to ask for some opinions from parents & drivers of different ages:

• Should a 17 year old have a brand new car for their first car? (If not, why not?)
• What are your thoughts on leasing? (Yes, I know I will not own the car, however it's 24 months contract meaning I will pay £6,400 over two years when in two years a brand new A class will have lost £11,000 in depreciation so it's the best option for a new car)

Soon going to be 17 and taking your test? DD started lessons at 17, took her two years to pass LOL

She then spent the first year of driving scraping her car, scuffing the wheel trims and reversing into things.

The insurance at 19 on 995 cc car 5 years old was £1200 for the first year.

Is this is serious post by a genuine 16 year old?

Simply because of the amount of parents here that I'm sure have either driving experience or kids with driving experience. I know it's good to learn from your own mistakes but if anyone older has done so already it's best to find out first

I've already had private lessons, so driving the car isn't an issue. It's more learning rules of the road, how other road users react and how to read them in a sense. It did sound like I meant go and take my test right away when I turn 17, but I meant once I've had the lessons haha. They're all booked and I want to get on the road ASAP but I won't rush it.

Agree with everything in your statement, thanks tiba!

No. I got an old car for my first one and the deal was no points, no accidents, not even a parking ticket for a year and I could have a new one. I did it

If you are able to lease a car at 17, I'd say go for it. Absolutely. It's your money, you've worked hard by the sounds of it and you're confident you can afford it. Do it.

PP saying you are going to scratch/bump in your first few months of driving. This is nonsense, not everyone had bumps and scratches.

Forgot to add @Jamie7399 - you sound clued up on it anyway, but if you want to check for the best deals available, there is a thread going strong on Pistonheads forum for best lease deals.
People posting up excellent prices each day there so worth a look.

I'm 17. Get an old car. Then u learn how to drive. Taking lessons teaches u to pass the test. And modern cars have so many safety features and distractions you don't get the experience to be s better driver. Either get a big, difficult to manoeuvre car or an old one like a 1996 or something

Completely agree that lessons only teach you to do a box ticking exercise and pass the test. The real experience starts when you're out on the road. So many valuable opinions and an overwhelming amount of them. Thank you to all that have responded!

tiba - I would rather my teenager be in a brand new merc a class than a pocket change banger. You do know that there are about 1million cars inbetwee these two, the alternative to a brand new car isn't a banger.

I would rather my teenager was in a car they could afford to run, afford to insure, afford to fix and wasn't going to worry about being ripped off by large charges at the end of a lease.

Unless you're never going out in the car it's pretty likely that you're going to get little marks and scratches, even parking in the local supermarket will get you those.

Jamie - I know you say that getting the lease isn't an issue, are you going to take it out in the name of your business to get round the fact that you're under 18? Does your business have a good enough credit history to get a finance arrangement, is it a long standing business?

What I would worry about with the average 17 year old and a brand new sports car is that they would get so excited about being able to drive and having a flashy, fast sports car they could drive around in that they would drive like a maniac and kill themselves (and their friends). A brand new Corsa? Less of a worry, but still, frankly, a worry.

However I'm sure you'll forgive me for saying you don't sound like the average 17 year old.

You're right to get a new car if you can for the safety aspects. My children drive new cars at 17 because of this. So if you can afford it do it.

In a top range car, being young, you may be targeted by jealous drivers ... cut up at roundabouts etc so beat that in mind. Perhaps a smaller less prestigious car to begin with is my opinion.

Completely agree with you @plantsitter

And thank you, haha

Very true @FluffyWhiteTowels - will bear that in mind too

I work for a family firm & several of us drive Mercedes. We would never get a new one on lease. There are some great deals around on used approved Mercedes. Mine was only 12 months old when I had it.

Used approved I am also looking at. May I ask why you would never consider leasing? @AlexanderHamilton

It just doesn't make economic sense. Paying out all that money continuously, you are restricted on mileage & you never own anything.

We do look after our vehicles & keep them for a long time. My dad kept his first Mercedes e class for over 10 years. He now has a top of the range AMG E class. My brother has a C class. It was bought 2nd hand & so didn't lose anything like a new one on depreciation. I originally went in for a new A class & came out with a used CLA (for less money) though I do really like the A class. We anticipate the cars lasting at least 6-8 years.