Getting a car for new driver aged 31.

xpletiv

My wife is learning to drive, and has done a few lessons and is keen on getting a car. My brother has a car he is selling (02 1.6l Golf) that I considered buying for her, but after the quotes (and often non-quotes) from insurers Ive had to now reconsider that plan. I knew it'd be high, but this was waaaay higher than even I expected. Obviously, its age and size of engine for car. Thing is, we've baby coming too, so money is getting tighter, but we're also limited with time.

So; we've no car, or insurance yet. What advice would you excellent boardsies have for me to buy a new car for us, specifically for her to learn, but then also as main car once baby comes? Max age of car? Max engine size? Should we just focus on buying from dealer or is going private ok these days?

Before you's say 'just put her on yours', not possible, as I have an automatic Smart Roadster, so not ideal for learning OR baby. So HAVE to buy second car either way for baby, and it should be her primary car too, I want to keep my smart roadster, though of course if I cant get any solution other than selling it, I'll have to depart with my pride and joy...

Any input much, much appreciated!

She's 31, absolutely no driving experience bar 3 lessons, and has had learner license for 1.5 years.
Im 30, nearly 3 years driving on full license, 4 years NCB and no claims/points

the sheriff is HERE

Small 1 litre for the 1st year to build a no claims bonus, year will matter with some companies and not with others

A polo, a seat Ibiza, a fiesta, , get 3 reg numbers off done deal and get on line quotes or ring them up, first year is always pretty high, it drops after your first year and after passing full test.

BOL (best of luck)

Edit, made sure to add yourself as additional driver it usually comes down as you've a full license or you insure the second car and get you partner down as a named driver, tomateo, tomato

Dravokivich

Her insurance will be high no matter what she's going to get, as she doesn't have a licence.

Until that happens you're only in for heart break looking at everything. You'd be better off just getting her named on your own car if you have one.

xpletiv

Dravokivich wrote: »

Her insurance will be high no matter what she's going to get, as she doesn't have a licence.

Until that happens you're only in for heart break looking at everything. You'd be better off just getting her named on your own car if you have one.

That doesnt help

And as I said in top post, its not possible to put her on my car.

bazz26

Insuring a 16 year old Golf for a respectable amount would even be a challenge for a driver with years of driving experience. They just don't want to insure old cars anymore. Best try something with a small or medium sized engine that's about 10 years old.

xpletiv

Yes, fully aware of the fact that the golf is uninsurable, though it has fresh NCT on it (wtf is the point of NCT??). So need advice on buying something small; thanks to Sheriff above for some good tips on makes that will not destroy the pocket via insurance once gotten!

mickdw

Go under 10 years old and keep the engine small.

Dravokivich

xpletiv wrote: »

That doesnt help

And as I said in top post, its not possible to put her on my car.

"Her primary car" how is she expecting to to drive if you or another licenced driver isn't with her?

You'll need to give this a lot more thought, because otherwise you are chasing some sort of holy grail.

irisheddie85

Get through the lessons and test asap and try then. Add her to your insurance but have her do test in instructors car with a manual gearbox so she gets full license. She can't legally drive unaccompanied until she passes her test anyway so why run 2 cars before you have to.

xpletiv

Not really. Im asking for suggestions for cheap cars that are suitable for learners, that isnt going to completely crucify us cost wise when it comes to insurance. We will sell it once she has full license and can move it, so its only expected to do about a year. But must be 5 seats due to baby incoming!

Dravokivich

xpletiv wrote: »

Not really. Im asking for suggestions for cheap cars that are suitable for learners, that isnt going to completely crucify us cost wise when it comes to insurance. We will sell it once she has full license and can move it, so its only expected to do about a year. But must be 5 seats due to baby incoming!

That's why I called it the holy grail. For a learner to own and insure a car, doesn't matter what the car is, the insurance is going to be very high. She needs a licence. After That, the rules they make don't apply. Mid sized saloons are cheaper for me to insure than a 1 litre hatch back and I only got my licence over the summer.