First car for 18 year old

gooner99 · 07-04-2019 06:57PM #1

What would you advise for an 18 year old with recent full license. I guess it has to be insurance friendly so means a small engine. I know that even experienced drivers struggle with insuring cars over 15 years old, some even over 10. Would an 18 year old need to stick to a car younger than 10 years old?

I know the other criteria is that is must look cool, but I guess that is subjective.

Based in Donegal. Recommendations welcome.

colm_mcm · 07-04-2019 07:07PM

VW up, Seat Mii, Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107/108, Citroen C1

What’s the budget for buying the car?

whelan2 · 07-04-2019 07:09PM

We couldn't get a quote for any car older than 2010 last year

MarkR · 07-04-2019 07:11PM

Don't look for cool. Look for safe. They can get pocket rockets when they've some experience under the belt. 1.6 diesel octavia or passant. Some bus of a yoke that they won't be tempted to rally.

theguzman · 07-04-2019 07:12PM

Nissan Leaf, they never move faster than 80km/h.

lalababa · 07-04-2019 07:17PM

So you want economical and cool, with cool being subjective. I'd imagine you want reliable as well. Economical would include reliable as repairs and breakdowns are costly. AFAIK and there is a thread on this....there are many companies giving insurance on over 15yrs. But best bet would be to ring a few and a few brokers as well.
Soooooo... you are looking at petrol Japanese/Korean hatchbacks under 1L preferably. 3dr.s. from around the year 00 on. Have a look at 'car reliability index' on Google for some inspiration. Micra yaris Corsa or 1.1s Getz, clio (good safety),Alto. And that's about your lot!

colm_mcm · 07-04-2019 07:54PM

theguzman wrote: »

Nissan Leaf, they never move faster than 80km/h.

A leaf has better low speed acceleration than most regular cars.

theguzman · 07-04-2019 07:57PM

But their drivers are absolute idiots, I damn nearly crashed into one yesterday on the M7 doing around 60km/h with me doing 130km/h. They hypermile and then crawl along to conserve energy between charging points. Owning an EV must be the latest form of liberal cuck self-masochism I think.

Odyssey 2005 · 07-04-2019 08:05PM

Seat Ibiza,VW Polo ,Yaris ?

Larbre34 · 07-04-2019 08:06PM

A 'cool' car. For an 18yo. In Donegal. What could possibly go wrong.

For the person advocating something 'sensible' like an Octavia or Passat, the tragic crash on Inishowen that killed 8 in 2010 was caused by a Passat carrying 8 and TDIs are plenty capable of being rallied.

Keep the size, space and power low and the NCAP rating high. A Fiesta, Fabia or Ibiza with the lowest power engine you can get, 60-70 bhp.

OldMrBrennan83 · 07-04-2019 08:13PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

A 'cool' car. For an 18yo. In Donegal. What could possibly go wrong.

For the person advocating something 'sensible' like an Octavia or Passat, the tragic crash on Inishowen that killed 8 in 2010 was caused by a Passat carrying 8 and TDIs are plenty capable of being rallied.

Keep the size, space and power low and the NCAP rating high. A Fiesta, Fabia or Ibiza with the lowest power engine you can get, 60-70 bhp.

No matter what you get, big or small, fast or slow, it won't matter because it's all down to the driver. 60bhp could be a killer in a stupid overtake where 110bhp wouldn't be. Best to just go for something reliable with a high safety rating.

I'm just surprised to hear someone in Donegal has a licence. Next thing they'll be taxing it... :pac:

Turbohymac · 07-04-2019 08:21PM

Something small ..low powered and very solid body.. be up /polo.etc.
Also think practically.. will he be using it for getting to college or work and will he REALISTICALLY be doing much mileage..a lot of the time those young people starting out driving are actually more concerned as how they look cool to their friends as opposed to what would actually take them safely to work or college.. forget looking cool and fast
Too many nasty accidents with that class of driver..especially when he gets a few of his friends on board...
Small vw or seat and if hes complaining of not looking cool let him walk...but with a high viz

John_Rambo · 07-04-2019 08:27PM

theguzman wrote: »

But their drivers are absolute idiots, I damn nearly crashed into one yesterday on the M7 doing around 60km/h with me doing 130km/h. They hypermile and then crawl along to conserve energy between charging points. Owning an EV must be the latest form of liberal cuck self-masochism I think.

Would you consider driving lessons?

MarkR · 07-04-2019 08:27PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

A 'cool' car. For an 18yo. In Donegal. What could possibly go wrong.

For the person advocating something 'sensible' like an Octavia or Passat, the tragic crash on Inishowen that killed 8 in 2010 was caused by a Passat carrying 8 and TDIs are plenty capable of being rallied.

Keep the size, space and power low and the NCAP rating high. A Fiesta, Fabia or Ibiza with the lowest power engine you can get, 60-70 bhp.

I was actually thinking about that crash after I posted it. Can't cover all eventualities. Suppose safety and reliability should be the key factors.

gooner99 · 07-04-2019 09:33PM

Thanks all for the replies. Plenty to think about there. When I say cool I mean not a granny car, rather than boy racer cool. He actually would prefer a 5 door to 3. Will take the low power into consideration. Safety very high in the list. Reliability and cost of ownership too. Is the Corsa 1.2 worth considering as they seem good value, or better with the likes of a Yaris, Fiesta, Polo, Rio, Clio, Fabia, Ibiza?

U_Fig · 08-04-2019 09:11AM

Suzuki swift would be something to look out for too, I had a 02 Corsa and had very little trouble except overtaking it was a 1.0L and rather gutless, other than that the 6th generation Ford fiesta (2009 +) is a fantastic car especially the 1.25 in the 82bhp spec.

Tabnabs · 08-04-2019 09:44AM

1.0L Toyota engine is entirely flawless and completely uninspiring. The perfect car for a new driver.

Lots of toys and zero motoring joys...

BarryD2 · 08-04-2019 09:53AM

theguzman wrote: »

But their drivers are absolute idiots, I damn nearly crashed into one yesterday on the M7 doing around 60km/h with me doing 130km/h. They hypermile and then crawl along to conserve energy between charging points. Owning an EV must be the latest form of liberal cuck self-masochism I think.

You owning up to some penalty points? I know we all break the speed limits fairly routinely but it's usually unwise to admit it in writing

autoboi · 08-04-2019 10:09AM

I second the Yaris. 3 in the family. One currently 19 years (from new) one 10 years old and one 8 years old.

Never a problem... And the 10 year old one was abused!

Very economical. Excellent space inside. 1L engine wouldn't inspire one to rally. Good selection on the used market. Be pickey and look for a service history.

From 2009 on there was an optional safety pack with: drivers knee airbag, curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRC). If budget allows may be worth digging out a higher spec model with the extra safety bits.

Happy, safe driving

Zak Flaps · 08-04-2019 12:09PM

My first car was a 1 litre Yaris and it lasted me over 10 years. So reliable, fuel efficient and great for parking. Not cool by any means but a great first car. If you're buying him a car, he should be happy with anything!!!

colm_mcm · 08-04-2019 05:04PM

Tabnabs wrote: »

1.0L Toyota engine is entirely flawless and completely uninspiring. The perfect car for a new driver.

Lots of toys and zero motoring joys...

I’d say a total lack of refinement would stop it from being flawless. The post 2006 3 cylinder isn’t a patch on the old engine from 1999

RoscommonTom · 08-04-2019 06:32PM

a toyota auris would be perfect, she might not look cool but she wont let you down

RoscommonTom · 08-04-2019 06:39PM

the corsa is cat, keep away from them

theoneeyedman · 08-04-2019 09:40PM

RoscommonTom wrote: »

a toyota auris would be perfect, she might not look cool but she wont let you down

Is the Auris (petrol) a good starting point?

Have a 19yr old looking to break out alone, was thinking something like a 08 Auris would suit him, simple enough tech, probably better than a Yaris(?), bit better on the road I'd imagine(?).

Odyssey 2005 · 08-04-2019 10:19PM

gooner99 wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies. Plenty to think about there. When I say cool I mean not a granny car, rather than boy racer cool. He actually would prefer a 5 door to 3. Will take the low power into consideration. Safety very high in the list. Reliability and cost of ownership too. Is the Corsa 1.2 worth considering as they seem good value, or better with the likes of a Yaris, Fiesta, Polo, Rio, Clio, Fabia, Ibiza?

Started my chap in an Ibiza. Was grand yoke. Cheap ins,tax and running costs. He drove it for a few years then moved on. I couldn't fault them.

RoscommonTom · 09-04-2019 05:58AM

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Is the Auris (petrol) a good starting point?

Have a 19yr old looking to break out alone, was thinking something like a 08 Auris would suit him, simple enough tech, probably better than a Yaris(?), bit better on the road I'd imagine(?).

theyre a mighty car for a young fella and a bit bigger than the yaris

ednwireland · 09-04-2019 09:32AM

donegal - cant beleive no one has recommended a twin cam or a nice lowered lexus is200

kidding ok

Captain Chaos · 09-04-2019 09:43AM

Larbre34 wrote: »

Keep the size, space and power low and the NCAP rating high. A Fiesta, Fabia or Ibiza with the lowest power engine you can get, 60-70 bhp.

Changed my car last month from an 07 1.4l Focus to a 131 1l Fiesta and my insurance went up €65 when I rang to change my insurance over.

In saying that the Fiesta is a rocket compared to my old Focus. I had to push the Focus constantly to keep with traffic, I had to adjust my driving style the Fiesta power the weight is so much better.

Think the insurance companies don't just take engine power alone.

U_Fig · 09-04-2019 11:26AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Changed my car last month from an 07 1.4l Focus to a 131 1l Fiesta and my insurance went up €65 when I rang to change my insurance over.

In saying that the Fiesta is a rocket compared to my old Focus. I had to push the Focus constantly to keep with traffic, I had to adjust my driving style the Fiesta power the weight is so much better.

Think the insurance companies don't just take engine power alone.

I would check insurance on any car and don't assume a smaller engine will be lower, most times it will be but it's not always , last year I got a cheaper quote on a 2007 Audi S3 2.0L petrol than a 2013 1.6 diesel Honda Civic even though the S3 has more than twice the BHP of the Civic and was 6 years older. Made no sense

neris · 09-04-2019 11:30AM

Nephew got an 08 Ibiza recently hes 19. Bout €3500 on insurance and is getting one of those boxy monitors put in. Car was about €2.5k I think

duffman3833 · 09-04-2019 11:49AM

Best thing is to pick a site like Liberty Insurance, get a few reg numbers of small cars on DoneDeal and run quotes to see which model is best quoted to give you an idea on cost.
One thing i found with insurance companies over the years is that they use statistics in relation to car models
More common cars would bring higher rates than less common cars. The more common cars would be involved in more crashes, but nowadays it seems to be random figures so plenty of research is needed before puling the trigger on a car

First car for 18 year old

Comments