Help me spec a car suitable for a learner

[callahan]

Hi all

Hoping you can help, as it's not the type of car I would usually be looking at.

I'm selling my magnificent e61 530i (n52) as my daughter is about to turn 17 so we need something manual that she can learn in. The car will be primarily Mrs Cs but, with a total absence of learner spaces available, we're going to have to teach the 17 year old.....

So it needs to be cheap to insure, but not too agonisingly slow (I might have to drive it sometimes), safe, decent gadgets such as aircon, Bluetooth etc and big enough boot to be able to fit my labrador without crushing him.

I've thought about a Mini, Polo, Civic, DS3 but am a bit stuck. Budget is £5k but anything under that would be good - I get to spend the extra on sorting out the suspension on my f30 328i

Thanks

[mdk1]

Skoda Citigo, VW up! Or Seat Mii would be ideal, my daughter drives. Citigo she’s 18 and loves it,
I also drive it and it’s great for wizzing round the lanes in.

[ZX10R NIN]

Got you covered.

If you don't mind spending a little extra on the first years insurance once she passes, then the DS3

DS3 DStyle Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103270...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104151...

Giulietta Lusso 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

Astra GTC Sport 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012026...

SRI 140 less insurance friendly than the 120 above

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...

Astra's in Elite 115 spec seem to be cheaper to insure than the SRI models for some strange reason:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010104...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101218...

Kia Ceed 3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104201...

i30 Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

Check the boot space but the Volvo C30 1.6 100 R Design may be worth a look but they do tend to be high on insurance:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...

Mazda3 using the same platform as the Focus & Volvo above are more sensible on the insurance front:

1.6 Mazda3 Sport 100 this along with the DS3 & followed by the Astra's would be my picks:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104020...

Saying that this C4 is a good buy & has the extra space over the DS3 but uses the same drivetrain but more space & a cheaper insurance rating makes it a contender but I'll admit it's not as stylish as the DS3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104040...

[callahan]

The Citigo etc is too small for the dog unfortunately, but the DS3 is a good option. I'm quite taken by this one: https://www.sjpoultoncarsales.co.uk/cars/citroen/d...

Edit - that Giulietta is lovely too

Edited by callahan on Saturday 24th April 21:08

Edited by callahan on Saturday 24th April 21:09

[ZX10R NIN]

callahan said:

The Citigo etc is too small for the dog unfortunately, but the Dz3 is a good option. I'm quite taken by this one: https://www.sjpoultoncarsales.co.uk/cars/citroen/d...

The last two DS3's I linked to are higher spec & 2 years newer (same engine) with similar miles (one lower, one a smidge higher) for the same price or less as the one in your link.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104151...

[callahan]

ZX10R NIN said:

The last two DS3's I linked to are higher spec & 2 years newer (same engine) with similar miles (one lower, one a smidge higher) for the same price or less as the one in your link.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104151...

Thanks, I like the black one in Coventry. The benefit of the one I linked to is it's close to home, but Coventry isn't a million miles away.