The learner driver Ford Ka
Discussion
It's time..... It's that crucial moment in my life when i get to oversee the purchase of the child's first car and help her take those initial baby steps to becoming an independent motorised human being!!!
After spending hours running quote after quote on comparison sites, logging the average costs with provisional and full licence on an incredibly boring spreadsheet - organised by model and trim level (colour coordinated of course), I finally narrowed down the cars to a choice of 3.
Nissan pixo, ford ka (MK2) and a Peugeot 107
What amazed me about the insurance was how much moving up a single trim level affects the quote. Like £300 moving from access to active in a 107. Seriously, totally mad.
And yes, the price of insurance on a sub £1500 shed for a new driver with a full licence is just eye watering. I won't say how much it is, but it's wayyyyyy more than the car is worth.
Back on to the car choice.
Went to see a nissan pixo, happy that this is based on a Suzuki alto but built in India. Apparently they're pretty unbreakable.
Ermmmmmmm. It's like they poured a single mold of the hardest ugliest plastic possible and the glued on 4 wheels and some seats inside. It is HORRENDOUS. I think the little tuktuk I whizzed about in Africa last summer was better built and had better interior plastics. Not deterred I carried on with a test drive - with one little part of my mind happy it was bloody appalling to look at and sit in - after all your first car should be proper shocking! But no, it was awful. Yeah I know, I'm coming from an XC90 and a Tesla model Y - but I drove a defender for 18 years previously so I know what uncomfortable and noisy is! The pixo was just horrible. Truly hateful. I learnt to drive in an 850cc mini, which compared to this was like a limo. Honestly I cannot believe anyone would walk in to a showroom and actually buy one of these new!!!
I just couldn't do it, it's out
Peugeot 107. I like the way they look and the interiors are nice, plus they get decent reviews, so off I trundle to go look at one. Ah, big problem.... I don't fit.
Now that might not seem important as it's going to be girl-childs car, but she is nearly as tall as me and has 36" legs. No way she will fit them lanky legs in and be able to safely operate the pedals in any comfort. So sadly that's another off the list.
That leaves the Ka. Reading the reviews, this is a joint venture with the fiat 500 and uses the fiat 1.2 fire engine. It's a little bigger than the fiat inside and much cheaper to buy and insure. Presumably because its a boring ford and not a wanna be influencer handbag fashion car
Found a nice example on AT and went for a poke about. Firstly I fit in it! Interior was ooo-kay I suppose - but massive leap above the pixo - and it drove quite nicely. Was amazed at how smooth it was on a crappy bit of south Leeds dual carriage way and seemed to have enough poke to not get itself in to trouble pulling out of junctions.
But this one was short on mot and the trader was reluctant to stick a new one on it and had apparently misplaced the service history listed in the advert. So I walked away, thinking this is going to be an absolute ball-ache dealing with shi-sters selling at this price point, punting on absolute tut they picked up at trade auctions outbidding the scrap man by a fiver......
Found another one, quite local as well. This one ticked all the boxes. Billy basic spec - KEEP FIT WINDOWS!!!! - that horrible ford light red / pink which I hope a decent cut and wax will restore and a full service history plus 11 months MOT. Mot history checked out well with just the odd advisory for tyres.
Went to see it and it's a blinder, perfectly accurate advert, even down to the tiny dent on the bonnet and cracked osr tail light. Other than that the bodywork is remarkably straight, my magnet stuck everywhere with no evidence of crash damage or filler and underneath was completely rust free. Even the wheel arches and boot floor were perfect. I know! I thought all fords came with rust pre-installed. Drove well, no clunks or bangs and it has recent-ish receipts for a clutch and some brake work.
The guy was a gent and to seal the deal even offered to replace the front tyres, which were a little low and mismatched.
So I am now the proud owner of a billy basic 2010 ford ka with 68k on the clock.
I'm picking it up on Saturday and taking it straight to a chap I know for a quick spit and polish inside and out before surprising girl-child with her 17th birthday present!
Nope, she has no idea I've been doing this and I hope she will be pleased.
Whether our relationship survives me trying to teach her drive is another matter, or how well this sheddy ford ka holds up to a 17 year old learner driver with the coordination of a pissed baby elephant.... Well that's what this thread will hopefully cover over the coming months.
Wish me (and the poor ford ka) luck on our upcoming adventures
Picture from the advert
Pictures once it's home to follow this weekend!
After spending hours running quote after quote on comparison sites, logging the average costs with provisional and full licence on an incredibly boring spreadsheet - organised by model and trim level (colour coordinated of course), I finally narrowed down the cars to a choice of 3.
Nissan pixo, ford ka (MK2) and a Peugeot 107
What amazed me about the insurance was how much moving up a single trim level affects the quote. Like £300 moving from access to active in a 107. Seriously, totally mad.
And yes, the price of insurance on a sub £1500 shed for a new driver with a full licence is just eye watering. I won't say how much it is, but it's wayyyyyy more than the car is worth.
Back on to the car choice.
Went to see a nissan pixo, happy that this is based on a Suzuki alto but built in India. Apparently they're pretty unbreakable.
Ermmmmmmm. It's like they poured a single mold of the hardest ugliest plastic possible and the glued on 4 wheels and some seats inside. It is HORRENDOUS. I think the little tuktuk I whizzed about in Africa last summer was better built and had better interior plastics. Not deterred I carried on with a test drive - with one little part of my mind happy it was bloody appalling to look at and sit in - after all your first car should be proper shocking! But no, it was awful. Yeah I know, I'm coming from an XC90 and a Tesla model Y - but I drove a defender for 18 years previously so I know what uncomfortable and noisy is! The pixo was just horrible. Truly hateful. I learnt to drive in an 850cc mini, which compared to this was like a limo. Honestly I cannot believe anyone would walk in to a showroom and actually buy one of these new!!!
I just couldn't do it, it's out
Peugeot 107. I like the way they look and the interiors are nice, plus they get decent reviews, so off I trundle to go look at one. Ah, big problem.... I don't fit.
Now that might not seem important as it's going to be girl-childs car, but she is nearly as tall as me and has 36" legs. No way she will fit them lanky legs in and be able to safely operate the pedals in any comfort. So sadly that's another off the list.
That leaves the Ka. Reading the reviews, this is a joint venture with the fiat 500 and uses the fiat 1.2 fire engine. It's a little bigger than the fiat inside and much cheaper to buy and insure. Presumably because its a boring ford and not a wanna be influencer handbag fashion car
Found a nice example on AT and went for a poke about. Firstly I fit in it! Interior was ooo-kay I suppose - but massive leap above the pixo - and it drove quite nicely. Was amazed at how smooth it was on a crappy bit of south Leeds dual carriage way and seemed to have enough poke to not get itself in to trouble pulling out of junctions.
But this one was short on mot and the trader was reluctant to stick a new one on it and had apparently misplaced the service history listed in the advert. So I walked away, thinking this is going to be an absolute ball-ache dealing with shi-sters selling at this price point, punting on absolute tut they picked up at trade auctions outbidding the scrap man by a fiver......
Found another one, quite local as well. This one ticked all the boxes. Billy basic spec - KEEP FIT WINDOWS!!!! - that horrible ford light red / pink which I hope a decent cut and wax will restore and a full service history plus 11 months MOT. Mot history checked out well with just the odd advisory for tyres.
Went to see it and it's a blinder, perfectly accurate advert, even down to the tiny dent on the bonnet and cracked osr tail light. Other than that the bodywork is remarkably straight, my magnet stuck everywhere with no evidence of crash damage or filler and underneath was completely rust free. Even the wheel arches and boot floor were perfect. I know! I thought all fords came with rust pre-installed. Drove well, no clunks or bangs and it has recent-ish receipts for a clutch and some brake work.
The guy was a gent and to seal the deal even offered to replace the front tyres, which were a little low and mismatched.
So I am now the proud owner of a billy basic 2010 ford ka with 68k on the clock.
I'm picking it up on Saturday and taking it straight to a chap I know for a quick spit and polish inside and out before surprising girl-child with her 17th birthday present!
Nope, she has no idea I've been doing this and I hope she will be pleased.
Whether our relationship survives me trying to teach her drive is another matter, or how well this sheddy ford ka holds up to a 17 year old learner driver with the coordination of a pissed baby elephant.... Well that's what this thread will hopefully cover over the coming months.
Wish me (and the poor ford ka) luck on our upcoming adventures
Picture from the advert
Pictures once it's home to follow this weekend!
Edited by Nicks90 on Thursday 14th March 21:49
Oh, and on the teaching her to drive front.... I have also bought her some driving lessons. So she will be doing those to get the basics sorted BEFORE I start taking her out for lessons.
Until then, she will have to be satisfied with sitting in her car on the drive and make brumbrum noises.
Until then, she will have to be satisfied with sitting in her car on the drive and make brumbrum noises.
Nicks90 said:
Found a nice example on AT and went for a poke about. Firstly I fit in it! Interior was ooo-kay I suppose - but massive leap above the pixo - and it drove quite nicely. Was amazed at how smooth it was on a crappy bit of south Leeds dual carriage way and seemed to have enough poke to not get itself in to trouble pulling out of junctions.
I think it was on Honest John I read that Ford changing the rear suspension over the 500 improved the ride and handling a fair bit.Yes i read that too - although i havent driven a fiat 500 so cant directly compare. But it was remarkably non bouncy or crashy! It actually rode like a much bigger/heavier car.
Couple of upgrades have taken place before i have even got the thing home. Being the billy-basic model it doesnt even have bluetooth pairing. So to fix that i have bought a little bluetooth dongle that plugs in to the Aux-in port and is usb powered. so subsequently bought a 12v cig lighter USB charger as well.
Turns on and off with the ignition and automatically reconnects with the last paired device if its in range. Does music streaming and hands free calling.
Whilst not something i will let Nicks90-Child use during driving lessons, it is something i will use when i use this to potter about to the shops etc until she finally passes her test and 100% takes ownership of the car.
good price (£14) and seems to fit the bill nicely. Will feed back if its any good tomorrow after i have tested it on the drive home. Will also be interested to see how appalling the stereo and speakers are :-( (might be another upgrade)
Couple of upgrades have taken place before i have even got the thing home. Being the billy-basic model it doesnt even have bluetooth pairing. So to fix that i have bought a little bluetooth dongle that plugs in to the Aux-in port and is usb powered. so subsequently bought a 12v cig lighter USB charger as well.
Turns on and off with the ignition and automatically reconnects with the last paired device if its in range. Does music streaming and hands free calling.
Whilst not something i will let Nicks90-Child use during driving lessons, it is something i will use when i use this to potter about to the shops etc until she finally passes her test and 100% takes ownership of the car.
good price (£14) and seems to fit the bill nicely. Will feed back if its any good tomorrow after i have tested it on the drive home. Will also be interested to see how appalling the stereo and speakers are :-( (might be another upgrade)
Good idea to get lessons. The driving test is quite nit-picking these days, and it'd be very easy for a parent who took their test at least 17 years ago just not to know some of the stuff that's an instant fail today.
It's certainly a big day when they pass their test and drive off on their own for the first time, so good luck with the process.
outnumbered said:
Good idea to get lessons. The driving test is quite nit-picking these days, and it'd be very easy for a parent who took their test at least 17 years ago just not to know some of the stuff that's an instant fail today.
It's certainly a big day when they pass their test and drive off on their own for the first time, so good luck with the process.
17 years go....... I wish. More like 30It's certainly a big day when they pass their test and drive off on their own for the first time, so good luck with the process.
[Yes I am ooollllldddddd]
My daughter has her driving test on Monday! She's a good little driver, and has covered a lot of miles over the last 6 months so I'm hoping she will be ok.
She has been learning in the driver's instructors car (Corsa) which being new, has all the nice drivers aids (electronic handbrake for starters!). When not in the instructors Corsa, she has been learning in the family run around, a 2007 Fiesta, I purchased during lockdown for the princely sum of £200. It's on 177,500 miles now (not bad for a 1.25 petrol!), and I've just treated it to a new clutch. It's been a fabulous little car and we have put about 25k miles on it since I bought it. I've upgraded the stereo to a Chinese Android Auto double din unit which does all the important stuff (Spotify and Maps) as well as the less important stuff, such as playing pre installed Chinese cooking videos (I kid you not!).
When she passes she will be taking over the fiesta has her first car. I haven't checked out the insurance yet, not wanting to tempt fate, hopefully that will be a job for Monday afternoon, but I'm ready to be shafted!!
Meanwhile the Beetle I was hoping to have finished for her by now, still languishes in garage....she does keep asking if it will be ready for the summer....
She has been learning in the driver's instructors car (Corsa) which being new, has all the nice drivers aids (electronic handbrake for starters!). When not in the instructors Corsa, she has been learning in the family run around, a 2007 Fiesta, I purchased during lockdown for the princely sum of £200. It's on 177,500 miles now (not bad for a 1.25 petrol!), and I've just treated it to a new clutch. It's been a fabulous little car and we have put about 25k miles on it since I bought it. I've upgraded the stereo to a Chinese Android Auto double din unit which does all the important stuff (Spotify and Maps) as well as the less important stuff, such as playing pre installed Chinese cooking videos (I kid you not!).
When she passes she will be taking over the fiesta has her first car. I haven't checked out the insurance yet, not wanting to tempt fate, hopefully that will be a job for Monday afternoon, but I'm ready to be shafted!!
Meanwhile the Beetle I was hoping to have finished for her by now, still languishes in garage....she does keep asking if it will be ready for the summer....
And it's home!
Garage did the bits needed / agreed as promised and after settling the remaining amount I was underway in less than 15 minutes.
Weather was rubbish, so the clean had to wait and instead we went straight to the "ta-daaa, here's your birthday present" bit.
Needless to say I am the best dad in the universe!
Whilst she was sat playing with the (limited) number of buttons and stalks I took a couple of photos. Still can't get over how straight it is for a 14 year old motor!
I then had a brainwave and realised the local rugby club has a massive open plan gravel overflow car park. So as I wanted to take her out for a spin anyway (needed some beers for the 6 nations) I surprised her for the second time by pulling into said gravel car park and telling her to swap places with me and get driving!!!
Bearing in mind she has never driven before, never looked at any tiktoks or YouTube videos or even done any theory, she was straight at it and only stalled twice when setting off. We must have done 20-30 stop and starts with various figure eights around that car park and going from 1st-2nd and then to a stop again.
She never stopped smiling the whole time.
Proud dad
I would like to think it was the amazing way I told her how to set off and clutch control, but I think it was more the fact it's such an easy car to drive with a nice smooth progressive clutch and fairly decent amount of torque at low revs....
Some piccies, really is straight and that cill is the worst of the two...
The Bluetooth dongle thing works perfectly, the stereo is rubbish and the speakers are crap. But they will do for now. As she's metal head, I don't think it will be long before they are blown though.
Garage did the bits needed / agreed as promised and after settling the remaining amount I was underway in less than 15 minutes.
Weather was rubbish, so the clean had to wait and instead we went straight to the "ta-daaa, here's your birthday present" bit.
Needless to say I am the best dad in the universe!
Whilst she was sat playing with the (limited) number of buttons and stalks I took a couple of photos. Still can't get over how straight it is for a 14 year old motor!
I then had a brainwave and realised the local rugby club has a massive open plan gravel overflow car park. So as I wanted to take her out for a spin anyway (needed some beers for the 6 nations) I surprised her for the second time by pulling into said gravel car park and telling her to swap places with me and get driving!!!
Bearing in mind she has never driven before, never looked at any tiktoks or YouTube videos or even done any theory, she was straight at it and only stalled twice when setting off. We must have done 20-30 stop and starts with various figure eights around that car park and going from 1st-2nd and then to a stop again.
She never stopped smiling the whole time.
Proud dad
I would like to think it was the amazing way I told her how to set off and clutch control, but I think it was more the fact it's such an easy car to drive with a nice smooth progressive clutch and fairly decent amount of torque at low revs....
Some piccies, really is straight and that cill is the worst of the two...
The Bluetooth dongle thing works perfectly, the stereo is rubbish and the speakers are crap. But they will do for now. As she's metal head, I don't think it will be long before they are blown though.
Great (expensive) experience getting your off spring on the road.
Eldest started 5 years ago with a VW Up as his first car. Great little machine it was too. His current Polo is currently at a body shop after a low speed bump in traffic and he's currently in a Nissan Pixo courtesy car which he described as a total POS, but I guess it beats walking.
No2 son will be 17 in May so the whole expensive saga starts again. He specifically does not want an Up for some reason so we're leaning towards a new shape C1 or 108. Off next week so have a few likely examples lined up to view.
My wife is downsizing to a Fiat 500 currently but they are 'too girly' for a 17 yo boy apparently. Great to be able to choose just what you want!
I drove classic minis after my test and loved them to the extent that I've still got one. Not the affordable daily driver that they used to be and not suitable, or safe as a first car anymore.
Eldest started 5 years ago with a VW Up as his first car. Great little machine it was too. His current Polo is currently at a body shop after a low speed bump in traffic and he's currently in a Nissan Pixo courtesy car which he described as a total POS, but I guess it beats walking.
No2 son will be 17 in May so the whole expensive saga starts again. He specifically does not want an Up for some reason so we're leaning towards a new shape C1 or 108. Off next week so have a few likely examples lined up to view.
My wife is downsizing to a Fiat 500 currently but they are 'too girly' for a 17 yo boy apparently. Great to be able to choose just what you want!
I drove classic minis after my test and loved them to the extent that I've still got one. Not the affordable daily driver that they used to be and not suitable, or safe as a first car anymore.
Edited by Bobupndown on Saturday 16th March 17:19
I bought my son a Mercedes A class for his first car, its only a A150 classic se but its still 3000£to insure for him.Hes 17 in May but itching to go. Aygo etc are £2500+ so I thought for a few quid more the Merc would be safer. Ive only run one quote so far so expect to get that down by having a higher excess and more additional drivers. Loving the red ka op.
I am in the same boat as my daughter turns 17 in September.
I want to get her something fun and where we live MK1 Ford Puma's with the 1.7 are surprisingly cheap to insure. £1700 fully comp.
Also looking at Audi A2's mainly because of their quickness and the 1.4 TDI is good on fuel.
I am handy with the spanners so will likely get a summer project of some sort.
I want to get her something fun and where we live MK1 Ford Puma's with the 1.7 are surprisingly cheap to insure. £1700 fully comp.
Also looking at Audi A2's mainly because of their quickness and the 1.4 TDI is good on fuel.
I am handy with the spanners so will likely get a summer project of some sort.
nicks90-child has now completed a preliminary exterior wash and wax and given the inside a good clean. didnt realise the trim and gearknob were an offwhite/cream, as it was a sort of yellow-y cream when i picked it up
took it out for a blast up the motorway - always give a 'new' second hand car a Spanish tune up - mainly to see how horrendous it is at 70mph. You know what, it was actually rather pleasant. Surefooted even passing a hgv and stable directionally. Was very impressed, well done mr Ford!
However a couple of little niggles have come to light.
1) handbrake ratchet is not brilliant. maybe every other pull, the ratchet doesnt hold and it pings straight back down again. So i will need to have a look at that and see if its something that can be adjusted or if it needs a new ratchet handbrake mechanism. When the handle does stay up, handbrake is very effective though.
2) rear left brake light has stopped working. Changed the bulb and its still the same. However up in the top corner of the boot where the wires go through, there appears to be some electricians tape around the wires under the rubber cover/grommit. Whats the bet previously a wire has worn through on that hole and had a bodge repair and needs looking at properly.
3) at 30mph in 4th, or 20mph in 3rd, so about 1200 rpm, at a constant speed on a flat road, it feels like its hunting / surging ever so slightly. Will need to plug my obd reader in and see if its showing any errors. If it isnt, i think a MAF clean and cheeck for air leaks on the induction side will be needed.
Other than that, seems like a good un
took it out for a blast up the motorway - always give a 'new' second hand car a Spanish tune up - mainly to see how horrendous it is at 70mph. You know what, it was actually rather pleasant. Surefooted even passing a hgv and stable directionally. Was very impressed, well done mr Ford!
However a couple of little niggles have come to light.
1) handbrake ratchet is not brilliant. maybe every other pull, the ratchet doesnt hold and it pings straight back down again. So i will need to have a look at that and see if its something that can be adjusted or if it needs a new ratchet handbrake mechanism. When the handle does stay up, handbrake is very effective though.
2) rear left brake light has stopped working. Changed the bulb and its still the same. However up in the top corner of the boot where the wires go through, there appears to be some electricians tape around the wires under the rubber cover/grommit. Whats the bet previously a wire has worn through on that hole and had a bodge repair and needs looking at properly.
3) at 30mph in 4th, or 20mph in 3rd, so about 1200 rpm, at a constant speed on a flat road, it feels like its hunting / surging ever so slightly. Will need to plug my obd reader in and see if its showing any errors. If it isnt, i think a MAF clean and cheeck for air leaks on the induction side will be needed.
Other than that, seems like a good un
My youngest has just passed her driving test. I'd already got her a Toyota Aygo. While she was learning, I insured her for short periods as the policyholder with Veygo. If I needed to drive her car, then I did so on my policy.
I'd also done some comparison insurance searches for when she'd passed and they were coming up reasonable for the Aygo at about £1800 a year. So, you an imagine my shock when she passed and the quotes suddenly went from £2500-£8000. Had me over a barrel though, as I wanted to insure her so she could get going.
Went with the sailor company in the end at £2700 without a black box.
Her learning and passing has had quite the impact on my bank balance over the last 5 months or so. And I don't suppose it'll stop any time soon?
Good luck with the daughters driving.
I'd also done some comparison insurance searches for when she'd passed and they were coming up reasonable for the Aygo at about £1800 a year. So, you an imagine my shock when she passed and the quotes suddenly went from £2500-£8000. Had me over a barrel though, as I wanted to insure her so she could get going.
Went with the sailor company in the end at £2700 without a black box.
Her learning and passing has had quite the impact on my bank balance over the last 5 months or so. And I don't suppose it'll stop any time soon?
Good luck with the daughters driving.
Nicks90 said:
2) rear left brake light has stopped working. Changed the bulb and its still the same. However up in the top corner of the boot where the wires go through, there appears to be some electricians tape around the wires under the rubber cover/grommit. Whats the bet previously a wire has worn through on that hole and had a bodge repair and needs looking at properly.
This is a common problem on Fiat 500s on which the Ka 2 is based. Wiring fails due to being pinched when the boot opens and closes leading to all sorts of strange electrical maladies. My daughter passed her test this afternoon, and has officially taken over the family Fiesta as her own! Our cars are insured under a multi policy with the lord of the seas, and I swapped her to be the policy holder for the Fiesta and switched her licence from a provisional to a full. The multi policy renews in mid May and the changes cost £135 including 2 x admin fees, so a real increase of about £90 for 2 months of cover. Seems too good to be true, but all the policy documents are in order.
I suppose I should wait until the official renewal time in May before celebrating too much!
I suppose I should wait until the official renewal time in May before celebrating too much!
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