Getting up & running query - need advice please!

Hi,

I'm here asking for any practical advice to the following, I just need a steer in the right direction. Here's some personal background/context - I'm 31 & car is 05 Mini 1.6.

I'm a provisional license holder, have bought a car in my own right & I'm looking into getting car insurance. I'm hoping to practice and take the driving test in my own car too but can't do so unless I've got it insured first. However, I'm coming up against colossal insurance quotes (in excess of €4,800). I've never been a named driver on any policy and this is hiking up the cost. I've been told that my father is too old (over 70) to be added as a named driver on my own insurance policy.

I'm wondering what the best course of action is or if I can do any of the following to make some difference:

1. Change the car owners name to my father's, then ask him to take out another policy (he doesn't want to take his own car off the road) then add me as a named driver? The car would be "his" but I would be driving it.

2. Sell the car, invest in a 1.0 litre and see if that makes some difference to the quote?

3. Bite the bullet, keep the car, take out my own insurance and pay this fee in installments?

Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated!