Help with ideas for learner driver

[gmaz]

My son is learning to drive and wants a car, now that he's back from Uni and has a job. 24yo

Here's my MoSCoW analysis of choices, so I'm looking for any idea of cars I've missed or places to find decent cars

Must Have
- Under £4K, petrol (ulez), manual, Fiesta-sized hatchback, within 30 miles of Bristol

Should Have
- Air Con, long MOT, service history, 5 door, cheap insurance

Could Have
- 3 door

Won't Have
- Any Stellantis/PSA group, MINI, ecoboost fords, premium German makes

So I'm searching for Fiesta, Kia Rio, Hyundai i20, Toyota Yaris/Auris, VW Polo, Seat Ibiza, Mazda 2 and looking on PH, autotrader, cazoo

[Snow and Rocks]

Suzuki Swift maybe too?

[DT1975]

I know you won't have a Mini but F56 onwards are extremely reliable and well put together, petrol 2014 onwards, we've had six, easy DIY and cheap parts. I guess Insurance is higher, both daughters went C1 / 107 to Mini. That said it wasn't much to add my daughters hubby (learner) to her insurance. Different story I know when he passes.

[gmaz]

Snow and Rocks said:

Suzuki Swift maybe too?

Nice idea but one of his instructors had a Swift and he didn't like it much. I've driven an SX4 and it felt really cheaply made.

[Doesitdrive]

Nothing wrong with a well looked after Ecoboost, miles away from a 1.25 in drive, power and economy.

Finding a decent latish small car might be your biggest problem with 4k. I would be looking at private sales.

Fiesta tend to be higher insurance though, I would check that before buying.

Suzuki swift is a good shout.

Renault twingo are fun.

Clip popular too.

[stevemcs]

As above, nothing wrong with the 1.0 eco boost, just make sure the belt has been done, better still do the belt yourself and you will have a cracking little car.

I wouldn’t buy any polo, the only vw group car I’d buy is the up.

[gmaz]

Doesitdrive said:

Nothing wrong with a well looked after Ecoboost, miles away from a 1.25 in drive, power and economy.

.

Aren't they known as ecoboom for a reason?

[ZX10R NIN]

Alf Giulietta, these are proving very reliable & are a good buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607274...

Astra GTC:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607304...

C30:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601239...

ProCeed:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607094...

If you want to avoid the wetbelt Fiesta's your budget will see you in the 1,4 models:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607274...

Zetec S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605132...

Leftfield

Smart Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607274...

[mikeyr]

Honda Jazz, Nissan Note? Any of those worth checking out too. Is the MG3 Fiesta size too? Not sure if any good though.

Don't rule out eBay alongside Autotrader and Gumtree. Horrible search function nowadays though. Personally I'd be looking at private sales at that price range. Often the cats for sale at that price in the trade seem to be Sold As Seen or have clean Mots that then reveal a litany of faults the following year. Maybe I've just been unlucky but...

[Master Bean]

gmaz said:

Doesitdrive said:

Nothing wrong with a well looked after Ecoboost, miles away from a 1.25 in drive, power and economy.

.

Aren't they known as ecoboom for a reason?

Mine hasn't exploded. Yet.

[stevemcs]

gmaz said:

Aren't they known as ecoboom for a reason?

Usually because people do not service them, then continue to drive them when the oil light comes on. They are fine if looked after..

[chip*]

Not a specific recommendation, but an insight from a dealer (who specialise in the budget end) of the cars he doesn't sell on his forecourt i.e. offload straight to trade. Quite a useful video if you ain't familiar with the problem cars to avoid.

https://youtu.be/qGTeWBXCKbk?si=AtQagz47PXPpmb0z

[fooman]

Fiat Panda - practical size, cheap insurance when they pass, great fun around town.
Fiat 500 - cooler but smaller than Panda

[lost in espace]

Up or variant is a great first car for a year or two.

[mikeyr]

I really liked my Up, might be too small though if looking at Fiesta size cars

[v8notbrave]

Spend an evening playing with insurance quotes for cars u like in classifieds. For 1st car I think this is more important than the dream car, which can then be p/x a year or two later.

[RoadToad84]

Sandero?

[Belle427]

The Jazz is a great car, plenty of space too.
Nissan Note maybe.

[gmaz]

ZX10R NIN said:

Alf Giulietta, these are proving very reliable & are a good buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607274...

Astra GTC:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607304...

C30:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601239...

Nice ideas, but the insurance is too high for a new driver. The Alfa is group 23

[gmaz]

Belle427 said:

The Jazz is a great car, plenty of space too.
Nissan Note maybe.

Yeah, his mum has a Jazz, which is why he won't have one