New to driving, tips on which types of car to look out for.....

Kay.Samuels

that are cheap in terms of running costs and insurance.

I am currently learning to drive, and trying to save some money to buy a cheap run around when I have passed my test. Are there certain makes/models that would be good to look out for?

Also in terms of insurance, which things are worth bearing in mind when I see a car that would bump up or lower my insurance quote? I don't live in the nicest area and will be a new driver (age 27 though so at least not a teen new driver) so I know my insurance won't be cheap, therefore anything that helps keep my quote low will help.

ANyone have any advice?

alo6

All depends really. one of the cheapest cars to insure is a Vauxhall Corsa, also the parts are cheap and are cheap enough to buy.

Also they are easy to drive, ideal for a first car

If you go onto parkers (google it), it gives you every car and there insurance rating, smallest being the best(cheapest).

The general age of young people insurance ends at 24.

jimbo_the_jetset

Have a look on Auto Trader. Put in your location details and search for available cars in your area for your budget. If you want to limit costs of insurance and running costs suggest you limit to cars with engine sizes less than say 1.4.

For car reviews and the good and bad of particular cars I like the Honest John website.

Coveredinbees!!!!

Don't buy a KA unless you want to have new suspension bushes fitted at every MOT

Lum

alo6 wrote: »

All depends really. one of the cheapest cars to insure is a Vauxhall Corsa, also the parts are cheap and are cheap enough to buy.

Not always true nowadays as a lot of youngsters of the "barry boy" type are crashing Corsas, Saxos and other traditional small hatchback for new driver type cars.

Go compare quotes for a youngster on something considered to be an old persons car* like a Ford Mondeo or anything by Volvo, you might be surprised.


* excluding the Honda Civic, for obvious reasons.

hethmar

Im surprised you say the corsa is cheap to insure I thought it was recently highlighted as a kid's car and likely to be in above average accidents?

OP, if you live in a rough area, you dont want a car thats attractive to young thieves either.

Have you thought of a Skoda Fabia, good reliable little car, low insurance and an anti-theft badge

alo6

hethmar wrote: »

Im surprised you say the corsa is cheap to insure I thought it was recently highlighted as a kid's car and likely to be in above average accidents?

im just going by insurance group, not every corsa has had 17year old 'gowbo' behind the wheel.

My Oh just got rid of her 51 plate corsa, was a dream for parts as its a piece of cake. i.e scrappie.

jaydeeuk1

Anything korean with no street cred will be cheaper to insure. Something like a picanto, i10 or getz. Cheap and far more reliable than a corsa/fiesta/punto etc.

Kay.Samuels

Thank you all for your replies, I thought I had set this thread to email me when I had replies but obviously not!

Very helpful advice from you all. I had not considered the cost of parts aspect so that is one worth bearing in mind too. Will be having a look at the insurance price ratings too. Yes area is not too nice, definately don't want a car that looks too tempting. :rotfl:

What is 'antitheft badge'??

jaydeeuk1

anti theft badge means no chav will nick it as his mates would take the p*ss out of him if he was seen driving it. Hence cars like skoda, kia, hyundai, daihatsu perodua are all unstealable.

keys_2

Apart from the old cars you probably wouldnt want to be seen in ....I would go for fords like a fiesta as the parts are easy and cheap to get also but again try and get an engine as small as possible 1.4 at the biggest { you can always upgrade after a year when your insurance will go down } Ive alos found Punto's, Fiat Brava and polos are good first cheap cars
Try and get one that has some sort of anti theft device fitted if you live in a high insurance area and white cars seem to be lower as they are more noticable .