Small learner car help

Torres09

Morning lads, daughter is looking to buy learner car, 1-1.4ltr only due to insurance, 2007-2010, Petrol, she's mentioned the usual suspects: Fiesta, Corsa, Clio,Yaris, and Polo...

However should I throw in any of these to the mix, Citroen C3, Kia Rio, Mazda 2, Peugeots, Seat Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Skoda Fabia? Or should I scratch any off from the get go?

Just looking for reliability, things that are potential problems on any of above, timing belt\chains, clutch etc...

colm_mcm

I’d be taking the 1.2 Polo/Ibiza/Fabia off the list.

The fiesta and Clio are great small cars that feel grown up.

The Peugeot 207 is good too, but 1.4 only, and quite low powered for the size of the engine.

It really depends on the budget

biko

Torres09 wrote: »

Just looking for reliability, things that are potential problems on any of above, timing belt\chains, clutch etc...

Look at the top cars on this reliability index
https://www.reliabilityindex.com/top-100

Torres09

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d be taking the 1.2 Polo/Ibiza/Fabia off the list.

The fiesta and Clio are great small cars that feel grown up.

The Peugeot 207 is good too, but 1.4 only, and quite low powered for the size of the engine.

It really depends on the budget

Budget between €2-3k...I'll keep an eye on the bangeromics thread

Anybody have any idea what's the position with VRT import with the NCT backlog??

Gatling

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d be taking the 1.2 Polo/Ibiza/Fabia off the list.

I put just over 10km on a 06 Polo 1.2 this year and I find it's a great little runabout fairly decent on longer trips ,smooth well looked after engine and gearbox .

While the newer fiestas have better built interior wise overall a polo isn't a bad starter especially for a young driver

colm_mcm

The 1.2 engine is quite fragile on them, not worth the bother in my opinion.

_Brian

Teaching my daughter in a wee 181 Corsa at the moment.

Handy car to drive, neat and tidy about town. Nice driving position.

Torres09

The plan is to get the full licence within 12 months then she has my 12 F10 520 MSport:cool: I have a work van and the BMW sits on the drive all week

colm_mcm

Father of the year

Torres09

colm_mcm wrote: »

Father of the year

Not until I get her a starter car:P

I used to be obsessive about the car, 20" alloys, fully loaded, carbon bits, washed every weekend etc but age and common sense caught up with me:)

colm_mcm

I’d suggest you sell the BMW and use the money towards something else you can both use.

Heres Johnny

Torres09 wrote: »

Not until I get her a starter car:P

I used to be obsessive about the car, 20" alloys, fully loaded, carbon bits, washed every weekend etc but age and common sense caught up with me:)

2 years ago my fiance had no interest in driving at all, never drove in her life even once but had a provisional until I suggested she get insured on my car, a 530d msport. I taught her to drive in that as a named driver and she loved it, didn't know any difference and didn't have a history of driving small cars so off she went, not a bother on her. Within a few months she was out without me (but always with a licenced driver) and was fine. Did her test later that year in it and now has an automatic only licence (not best idea looking back but plenty of auto cars now). If you want to give the daughter the BMW fair play to you once she's responsible I don't think it's any more of a risk than a small city car. Insurance company agreed with me too because they charged me nothing to add her.

colm_mcm

Heres Johnny wrote: »

2 years ago my fiance had no interest in driving at all, never drove in her life even once but had a provisional until I suggested she get insured on my car, a 530d msport. I taught her to drive in that as a named driver and she loved it, didn't know any difference and didn't have a history of driving small cars so off she went, not a bother on her. Within a few months she was out without me (but always with a licenced driver) and was fine. Did her test later that year in it and now has an automatic only licence (not best idea looking back but plenty of auto cars now). If you want to give the daughter the BMW fair play to you once she's responsible I don't think it's any more of a risk than a small city car. Insurance company agreed with me too because they charged me nothing to add her.

I’m going to assume that the OPs daughter won’t get a reasonable insurance quote on the BMW. Assuming she’s late teens/early 20s.

Torres09

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d suggest you sell the BMW and use the money towards something else you can both use.

I've succumbed to the future...test drive pending I'll go for a VW id.3 Plus having read plenty of reviews here and elsewhere. I'll wait till new year if\when they become more readily available

Heres Johnny

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’m going to assume that the OPs daughter won’t get a reasonable insurance quote on the BMW. Assuming she’s late teens/early 20s.

The way he said it I kinda thought she would be going on his insurance policy as its his car. Maybe I was wrong?

Torres09

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’m going to assume that the OPs daughter won’t get a reasonable insurance quote on the BMW. Assuming she’s late teens/early 20s.

Yes, correct sir, 19 yrs and on provisional they wanted an extra €1150 on top of the €600 I pay...yes it's an Auto which is why I asked about starter car better her getting a manual licence

Personally I think it's too big (size wise) for her to learn.

Gatling

Torres09 wrote: »

Yes, correct sir, 19 yrs and on provisional they wanted an extra €1150 on top of the €600 I pay...yes it's an Auto which is why I asked about starter car better her getting a manual licence

Personally I think it's too big (size wise) for her to learn.

I couldn't even get quotes for a tdi golf

lisabiscuit

I love my 1.2 09 Honda Jazz. I think it's classed as a super mini but it feels very roomy and the seats fold down. Very economical to run. I'm only on my second year off my n plates and paying about 700 insurance.
Best of luck to her! And to you!