Cars for kids...

jen_br

Ok, so my 18 year old son just got his full licence on his 18th bday and now we are looking at junker style cars to get him his first car and the insurance seems CRAZY!

for a 12v corsa GLS it was 2500-2800 for TPFT

Now, maybe im a not looking in the right place because im not from the UK so im not sure what cars are cheap on insurance does anyone here have some experience with this?

I know its his age as we live in a low crime area etc.

Any help would be appreciated!

Browntoa

is that the bottom range Corsa , think the 12v bit is adding a sting.......

catflea

Serious suggestion. Look into getting him a classic car.

Classic Car insurance is frequently significantly cheaper than that of modern cars (although you dont earn an NCB) the car will not depreciate and he will be able to look after it himself (rather than having to take it somewhere to have a cable plugged into it)

The other significant thing is that he will actually have to drive the car, learn to anticipate hazards etc as the car will not mollycoddle him in the same way that moderns do so he will learn valuable lessons on the road.

I'm 26, and I started my driving career in a 1964 Morris Minor Traveller, and I swear that it has made me a significantly better and safer driver. If I'd have started off with a fiesta or corsa I probabally would have wrapped it round a tree because of the feeling that it would look after me.

Its not for everyone as classics can be trickier to buy and do need more maintainance and how your sons peers may respond could be questionable - my mates loved my car.

I'd suggest looking at Morris Minors (with looking, you can get a good 'un for under a grand) Austin A35, Triumph Herald etc. Depends on what budget you have. (Dont let him get a beetle though, horrid, horrid things)

DebbieR

I've just posted on another thread about my son's insurance. He's 19, driving a 51 reg Peugot 206 1.1 and he's been quoted between £2200 and £2500 with 1 year's no claims. This is more than it was last year! The cheapest I've found is Admiral(by ringing up rather than online) and they've quoted £1800 for 12 month's but paid in advance or £1600 for 10 months, also paid in advance, after which you get another year no claims bonus. Paying monthly it was about £200 a month.

catflea

The other thing to try is Herts Insurance (HIC) they are a broker that specialise in younger drivers, performance vehicles and classic cars. When I was with them, they were very good

atrixblue.-MFR-.

being a mature named driver on his policy may help if you hold a license or any member of family, and being an infrequent user helps bring it down.

cars classed to be classic are 11+ years or over some may state 15 years or older with some classic insurance.


some obscure vehicles are sometimes cheaper it may not be what he wants to drive but if the price is right. like a volvo estate for eg.

Hadrian

I'm sorry to have to say this again but, insurance companies do not want 18 year olds as custumers. That's why the premiums are so high. Suggest your son gets taxis or walks.

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

Classic car, seconded. Eldest (if she ever finds time to take her test) has a Mini clubman estate being slowly restored for her, and the insurance is looking pretty reasonable.

catflea

A mini would be a good choice, but they dont half go for a pretty penny now! :eek:

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

catflea wrote: »

A mini would be a good choice, but they dont half go for a pretty penny now! :eek:

If you look hard, and maybe have a friendly mechanic they can still be picked up quite reasonably. The best bit is that pretty much all the parts are easily obtainable, and pretty cheap. They're also a great car to learn basic mechanics on too as they're so simple.

nicolax

i had a cinquecento as my first car
was such a good first car - cheap insurance, cheap to run, and cheap to buy! and i kept it for a few years untill i built up enough no claims to be able to afford insurance on something else!

my first years insurance was £600 3rd party (altho could have got fully comp for £800!) with direct line ... not bad when the car cost £800!
was only 3 years ago too - i am female though, so guessing the price would be higher for a young male

the seicento is a little newer, but also fairly cheap-ish to run according to a male friend who has that as his first car