Used manual petrol for a learner ?

josip

Next year I'll have to get a car for my daughter to learn on.

The plan is to get her a manual petrol until she gets her test, after that she'll probably change. So we might only keep the car for 2-3 years.

I don't want to get her something too-big, but I'd like something big-enough to provide a bit of crash protection. My wife will probably use it also.

I don't want to be in the garage every other month getting something fixed, so engine reliability is important. The budget is probably up to €10k.

Trying to shortlist a few models now so that I can learn up a bit on them and keep an eye on prices before we buy.

The i20 would tick the size boxes for me. It'd be the 2014-19 model with the €10k budget.

Daughter hasn't said what she would like, but has made it clear she won't drive a Yaris 🙂

Does anyone have any opinions/suggestions/advice?

mikewest

Assuming she won't be doing big mileage and you can keep an eye on maintenance

Quirky, Citroen C4 cactus or even a C3, also Nissan Juke

Boring, Nissan note

Common first car, Ford fiesta

Solid, VW golf

Girly, Renault Clio

All just ideas and all reliable enough for a starter car.

Edit: just thought of it Renault Megane 1.5 dci (yes diesel) very, very safe and very reliable. One of the most reliable diesel engines around. Don't know the reliability of their petrols but assume they are ok as most engines are nowadays apart from real stinkers like Mazda Diesels.

User1998

Basically anything Japanese or Korean will be fine

pm.

I was in a similar situation with my son, ended up getting him a Toyota Auris absolutely bullet proof

Sam Russell

Small car like Fiesta, Polo, or small Jap. Low mileage (less than (75Km) and well maintained with full documentation. Small engine - 1 litre.

Whatever you pay will be close to the price you get when you sell it if it is well cared for.

monseiur

Consider a VW Polo, there's a good selection out there imported from Japan with very low mileage. You should pick up a high spec 2014/2015 for 7 to €9,000 Unlike Korean cars, and others, VW have a much longer life span, 20 to 25 years easy so have a good resale value.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124054150#Comment_124054150

Older Polo's rarely last 20 years. They usually suffer with rust and emissions issues. I imagine these newer Polos with more complex engines and a DSG gearbox won't be much better. They usually have engine or gearbox problems after 10+ years.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124054150#Comment_124054150

Those Jap imports are automatics. The OP is looking for a manual.

Henry Ford III

Learn in a manual car. You can always swap to an automatic, You can't do it the other way round.