Car choices for 17 year olds

[trem1]

My youngest son has started driving lessons so he should be passed his test in a few months so now is the time to start thinking of cars for him and the age old issue of insurance. Up to now we are thinking of a 1.1 peugeot 106 as
A: its a pug
B: his sister had one and it was a good little car
C: it should be one of the cheapest to insure

Now its over to you, what are best options to get his premiums as low as possible, I only want fully legal suggestions please as it will be his car,insured in his name from day one.

Someone mentioned that a 1.9dt 406 might be cheap for him to insure but i can't see that being right

[jasper5]

Some useful advice in here, trem....http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/car-in ... ng-drivers

[Bailes1992]

My 406 1.9TD was £300 cheaper to insure than a 106 1.1i/1.5d!

[GingerMagic]

Our 306 1.9dt is up for sale, never missed a beat in 12 years....

The insurance is quite low, the car goes well, economical and reliable and lots of parts / mods / bling available for the 306 should that be what he wants to do with his car...

You don't have to buy mine - just saying they are plentiful and a great first car.

[trufflehunt]

My previous car to the 406 was a 106 Mk1 1.5 diesel. Really enjoyed it, nippy, economical,
only electricals were central locking, and windows.

Just one thing.., what does your son actually think of 106's. Number of times
I've read in the item description of an ebay item about a first car intended for a son/daughter who
turns out doesn't like them.

[Bailes1992]

My previous car to the 406 was a 106 Mk1 1.5 diesel. Really enjoyed it, nippy, economical,
only electricals were central locking, and windows.

Just one thing.., what does your son actually think of 106's. Number of times
I've read in the item description of an ebay item about a first car intended for a son/daughter who
turns out doesn't like them.

To be honest if I bought my kid a 106 and they decided they didn't like it they'd have a bloody slap!

[jonny81191]

Another vote for a 1.9XUD 306.

Cracking motor, dirt cheap to insure, handle really really well and look after you. Also easy to work on and cheap parts too!

Oh, and tuneable. Very tuneable

[lozz]

pug 106 is good little motor. but in view of insurance cistern saxo is better option ,

[STALLED]

I'd avoid a 106/Saxo - seen their NCAP credentials? Not a good combination for an inexperienced driver!

306 would be preferable, if you could get reasonable insurance on one.

[Welly]

My lad is in the same boat, 17 and learning (not to change-down gears ) he'll pass his test and then we'll do precisely NOTHING he'll be off to Uni next year so won't need a car but what he will be doing is building years of "having a licence" Insurers ask only how long you've held a licence and not how long you've been driving so when he's 21 or something he'll have had a licence 4 years.

On the odd occasion I can add him to our Astra's policy for the odd day here and there if needed.

Personally I would worry about my Kids driving old hatchbacks because if they ever had an accident the car could fold up like a paper bag. You may find it is cheaper to insure a much newer car, you might be able to lease a small car with a strong safety shell AND insure it for less than you imagine (and make sure you are down as a named driver too) if the lad is working then he can pay for it too just as an example a brand new Fiesta can be leased for £160.00 a month, insurance might be another £130.00? maybe less? it sounds a lot but once you figure that there's no repairs, no tyres, no MOT's, and cheap road Tax then it's not as daft as it might seem.

[KozmoNaut]

For a new driver? Get them something that is both slow and big and safe, like say a Volvo 940/850/V70 or similar. It'll be slow so any boy racer antics are discouraged, big enough to bring some mates along (very important!) and most importantly safe, so it won't crumble in the inevitable fender-benders any new driver's car will be subjected to. Older Volvo's in particular are also very nice cars to wrench on, if you offspring happens to be mechanically-inclined.

If the budget is a bit tight, get them a Toyota Carina E or a first-gen Avensis. Not the most interesting cars in the world, but solid, dependable and very cheap to fix if anything goes wrong.

If you want to stay in the Pug family, a 306 is probably the best bet, though.

[Bailes1992]

Volvo 340/360? Slow, rear wheel drive and a rear mounted gearbox for even wait distribution!

[lozz]

Ithink a first time driver having a big car is not a sensible option.
Fuel/insurance. isees 17 yr olds driving top of the range Audi's up here they must have rich parents or have someone fronting insurance for them,

istarted off with old broom yellow Datsun 120y coupe it never did me any harm starting off with half tidy run about
ilooked after that old bucket realy well as id bought it with my own hard earnt cash.

[Welly]

Unfortunately the rise in popularity of these 'big bruiser' machines means that we're dicing with a greater risk of getting hurt if you get hit by one. Have a look at how close the rear seat passengers' heads are to the back window of a typical hatchy and then imagine a Mitsubeshit Warrior running into the back of it (cheery stuff eh?) but do you see what I mean? it's an unfair mix of motorists now and where big often translates to 'better'

My original post referred to new small hatchbacks which are no longer actually small but are very tough compared to older designs.

[lozz]

Fair point welly.
but idont think its fair to point the finger at us 4x4 owners
there is other threats out there too.

>people with no driving licence

>drink/drugged up drivers.

it don't matter what it is,if avehicle is hit in the right place itl crush no matter whos built it.