My wee girl is about to turn 17 and I am contemplating buying her a car in May. I know insurance will be a barrier at her age and I have yet to investigate this. I am wondering what to do about a car for her. Buy a new 1.0 litre something or an old but safe car like a Polo or suchlike. I have no banger to trade for scrapage (excluding my beloved old Merc!). Anyone else in the same predicament?
 If you see a bandwagon - it's too late.....

Java Black HSE TDV6 O7, alpaca, FF sunroof, adaptive Xenon headlights, SC grill, black privacy glass, clear indicators, tow-pack, colour-coded all black.Gone, but forever in my memory. Until my new one comes...
In the stables:Mercedes CLK 230K Cab W208; BMW 318d; VW Golf (LHD) 1.6 SE in Spain:New RRS to come soon...

very difficult, just been through this myself. Started with an old Clio, which she had saved up for herself since the age of 14 by working in a kitchen (respect), but once she passed her test bought a new Aygo for her, looked at secongd hand, but to be fair for the same monthly payments, a three year warranty and Toyota Assistance made it a no brainer. At least daughters are cheaper on the insurance than sons, but look for something not sporty or desirable by boy racers, certain models carry additional premiums due to perception of use and accident statstics etc., you'll find insurance cheaper for 4 doors than 2 doors (less sporty apparently). Its your choice, but daughters are precious. 19 now and payments coming down, think first year about £1200, actually gets dearer when they first pass because they will be driving unaccompanied. Shop around but avoid comparrison sites, if you've got the time, best to talk to a real human being, good luck purple people eater

There are no good days, just some days that are not as bad as others!


Gone RR 4.0 P38 Autobiography MY99 Red ( money pit)
Gone RRS MY06 2.7TDV6 HSE Rimini Red
Gone RRS MY10 3.0TDV6 HSE Bali Blue with lots of bits (never grew to love it)
Here Now - 3.6 TDV8 FFRR OVERFINCH Stornoway Grey - loving it x
My work car Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDci Zetec auto Estate in Silver

Outsider's view - as you know I am foreigner living in the UK and so have been similar scenario (new UK driving license etc.) last year. I found Smart car and Toyota iQ very interesting - on personal hire the monthly rates are equivalent to our phone bills and they both come with very reasonable insurance as well.

My 9 Year old is saving for a series land rover with no prompting from me....

Worzel wrote:

My 9 Year old is saving for a series land rover with no prompting from me....

respect

Buy her a new Peugeot 106 or 107 not sure what one these days - but you ca get one for £99 a month with 2K down, and I think they do free insurance and should cover a new driver too...

Nick

Thanks for that. I'll look into this one. I hadn't thought of a finance option. I tend to buy outright - but this kind of deal needs to be investigated! If you see a bandwagon - it's too late.....

Java Black HSE TDV6 O7, alpaca, FF sunroof, adaptive Xenon headlights, SC grill, black privacy glass, clear indicators, tow-pack, colour-coded all black.Gone, but forever in my memory. Until my new one comes...
In the stables:Mercedes CLK 230K Cab W208; BMW 318d; VW Golf (LHD) 1.6 SE in Spain:New RRS to come soon...

muffd - with the smart you also only pay about £1500 outright and then the monthly payments of £99. Insurance however is about £400 for a new driver if I am not mistaken

Something to look forward to when they have passed, no more Dad's taxi, and they can fetch you home in the middle of the night after missing last bus! purple people eater

There are no good days, just some days that are not as bad as others!


Gone RR 4.0 P38 Autobiography MY99 Red ( money pit)
Gone RRS MY06 2.7TDV6 HSE Rimini Red
Gone RRS MY10 3.0TDV6 HSE Bali Blue with lots of bits (never grew to love it)
Here Now - 3.6 TDV8 FFRR OVERFINCH Stornoway Grey - loving it x
My work car Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDci Zetec auto Estate in Silver

Remember that a 17 year old will not get credit terms on her insurance either, so outright payment will be required

they used to do something called pass+ which will give her an extra discount, but weigh up cost if this against insurance saving.

Something small like a Smart car will also be better as there will be less passangers in it, chatting away, goding her into driving faster and messing about

If budget can stretch to it, Smart Cabrio After a bad day in the office when my mate picked me up in his, with the roof down put the smile back on my face

I would just got for the Pug, retails price is only £5999 these days - Smarts work out to £9k these days which I think is a lot - other than that mate - as she is 17 and her friends would love this as she would - a little Nissan Figaro - a really girlie car, and they start pretty cheap at £3500 ish - I know as we have one - and it's a gorgeous little car - with Micra mechanicals and an auto box - it's so easy to drive, and comes with everything you need, air con, leather, electric windows etc etc.....She would love it.....

I'm of the firm belief that an old Land Rover/Range Rover is the way to go - big and safe with a loads of street cred. 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!

VA, if one of your children gets a LR/RR at 17, I'll drive a a G Whizz for a year.......I just thinks it's ridiculous that a 17 yr old should have such a car - even if I had millions, I still wouldn't go down that road....look how Sexy P turned out!!!!!!

NickM I am sorry but your argument just does not stand. When I was 17 my first car was a Freelander. And now I am 25 driving a RRS. A car you drive does not mean f all about personality!!!
I will certainly want my kids to drive a 4x4 when they are 17. Look at how many f there are on the streets. And all you want at the end of the day is their safety

Nick - I'm not talking about a new one, ideally an old 90 where my son can learn about engines etc and use a hammer to bash out the dents. 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!