First car: Yaris, Picanto, or Peugeot 208

tamworthy

Goudy said:

A couple of alternatives to think about.
The Hyundai i10 and the Honda Jazz.

The i10 is basically the sister car to the Kia Picanto and an ideal first car.

The Jazz is almost as legendary as the Yaris but they do tend to hang on to their value and weren't cheap to start with, so won't be cheap when comparing to other cars year for year.

The Fiat Panda isn't a bad shout, they are pretty basic, even in top trim but they are noted for reliability, more so than the Punto. Steer clear of the 875cc Twinair, it's thirsty and can have expensive problems with the Uniair system.
There's really not much to worry about with the 1.2 litre cars though.

Suzuki's although great cars, tend to all be in higher insurance groups than they really should.
I'm not sure why, but if you look at similar class cars, the Swift seems to be a group or three higher.
The Alto is about as basic as cars come but they do have a certain charm about them and built for Indian roads, so really robust.

Another car/s worth considering is the VW Up/Skoda Citigo/Seat Mii.
Early cars were a bit basic and I always found the gearboxes were rumbly, loud and with a load of gear lash, but they steadily improved them over the years.
Later cars actually drive really well and are a pleasant place to be. 

If your budget can stretch to it (though it might be a big if), look for later cars that have some active safety kit, things like active brake assist and lane departure warning.
They tend to be better on insurance as insurance companies think mitigation of accidents is a big bonus.

My nephew was recently is a similar position.
Looking for a cheap first car but with crippling insurance premiums.
When we upped the budget to a later i10 with some safety features is actually worked out around the same cost initially, but he should reap a bit over the next couple of years with lower insurance premiums going forward.

Thanks a much, Goudy, for your many great suggestions! I'll definitely check them out to see what I can afford and what the market has to offer. I don't think I am capable of getting later cars with active safety kit for now, so I'll have to be prepared for sucking a eye-wateringly expensive new driver insurance up...

fatbelly

As you can see there are a lot of models you could consider, particularly as you are spanning two classes- city car and supermini.

With a 4k budget you are looking at 10-year old cars with average mileage it boils down to a car that has been looked after and has no corrosion or other imminent problems.

Herzlos

At that budget I'd be looking at condition. I'd take a tidy 208 with a good service history over a rough looking Yaris.

All else being equal the  Yaris is the better car, but the 208 isn't going to just disintegrate on you either.


If you're not doing many miles, then something like a Zoe might just about fall into your budget, and will be cheaper to run.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310082782577

DigSunPap

I have a number of friends who had a Yaris as their first care and they had nothing but good things to say. A great little run around for a low price. My first car was one of the old model Renault Clio's. Not talked about as much as some other makes and models but also did the job very well for a few years

Nearlyold

We found the i10 a lovely car to drive once you got going, however getting underway on any sort of upwards slope was tricky, it'd often either stall or there'd be the distinctive odour of burning from the clutch. It also developed an oil leak from near the gearbox/clutch housing/engine mating points. Both issues are not uncommon apparently.

fatbelly

Thanks a much, Goudy, for your many great suggestions! I'll definitely check them out to see what I can afford and what the market has to offer. I don't think I am capable of getting later cars with active safety kit for now, so I'll have to be prepared for sucking a eye-wateringly expensive new driver insurance up...

If insurance IS  an issue then your lowest quotes will be on:

• Chevrolet Spark (10-15) - car dealers really rate these
• Citroën C1 (05-14)
• Fiat Panda (04-11)
• Hyundaii10 (14-20)
  
• Kia Picanto Hatchback (17 on), Rio (11-17)
• SEAT Mii (12-19)
• Skoda Citigo (12-19), Fabia Hatchback (15-21)
• Smart Forfour (15-19)
• Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback (06-14)
• Volkswagen Fox (06-12), Up (12 on) - some well cared for Fox's do sell very cheaply

tamworthy

fatbelly said:

Thanks a much, Goudy, for your many great suggestions! I'll definitely check them out to see what I can afford and what the market has to offer. I don't think I am capable of getting later cars with active safety kit for now, so I'll have to be prepared for sucking a eye-wateringly expensive new driver insurance up...

If insurance IS  an issue then your lowest quotes will be on:

• Chevrolet Spark (10-15) - car dealers really rate these
• Citroën C1 (05-14)
• Fiat Panda (04-11)
• Hyundaii10 (14-20)
  
• Kia Picanto Hatchback (17 on), Rio (11-17)
• SEAT Mii (12-19)
• Skoda Citigo (12-19), Fabia Hatchback (15-21)
• Smart Forfour (15-19)
• Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback (06-14)
• Volkswagen Fox (06-12), Up (12 on) - some well cared for Fox's do sell very cheaply

This list is super helpful – thanks so much, fatbelly!

HotDog2020

I wouldn't go for the picanto I had a 12 plate that lasted 7 years before it started looking really done in, leaking and such forth. I didn't drive many distances mostly local. But I would recommend popping the hood and seeing what it looks like, you can porbably tell for yourself if it looks like it has some time left by its appearance. Test drive also if you are still satisfied you cannot go too wrong. It might be worth checking out the citroen C1 as the parts are generally cheap and they are producing parts for another 8 years still. 

400ixl

Low insurance group does not necessarily make for cheap insurance for new drivers. Quite often the exact opposite as they are cars that have a bad history with new drivers as they often buy them.

For example a Hyundai i20 1.2 was half the price insurance wise of a Hyundai i10 1.0.

Goudy

400ixl said:

Low insurance group does not necessarily make for cheap insurance for new drivers. Quite often the exact opposite as they are cars that have a bad history with new drivers as they often buy them.

For example a Hyundai i20 1.2 was half the price insurance wise of a Hyundai i10 1.0.

Yes that can be true.
The insurance companies will take all sorts of variables into consideration for a quote.

Some cars might be considered a bit more expensive to repair but still be in similar insurance groups.
It might be the case a Smart ForFour has dearer insurance repairs than a Vauxhall Corsa and it gets reflected in the premiums.

Then again data collected by the insurance industry might point to more claims from new drivers in Corsas than in Smarts.

There are a few cars that don't shout first car but have trims and engine configurations in low insurance groups.
A base spec 1.2 Skoda Roomster for example is in group 4 and isn't really on most new drivers radar, let alone young new drivers.

Another car tends to be the Panda.
The 500 and the Panda are basically the same under the skin but the 500 tends to be more desirable to a younger market than the Panda.
The 500 also has a bit of insurance claims data against it.
There have been a lot of claims regarding the front end.
Apparently it's very easy to remove the front end, bumpers, lights etc and plenty had had their parts stolen and claimed for it and that can reflect in the premiums.