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Car suitable for first time driver

  • 13-08-2025 09:52PM
    #1
    Banjo Carney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭


    Hi my daughter is looking to buy her first car. She's 18 and has passed her test. I know for insurance purposes a smaller engine would be best, but what about the age of the car. Would she get a policy on a ten or twelve year old car or would she need to come further up the years. Thanks.



Comments

  • #2
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,042 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    I did two quotes for you. For a 18 year old student living in Ashboure.

    1st one is for a 2014 1.0 VW Polo valued at 7,500.

    2nd one is a 2014 1.4 VW Golf valued 12,500.

    Both are with 123.ie and you've a box in the car.

    1000033102.jpg 1000033103.jpg


  • #3
    Banjo Carney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Banjo Carney


    Thanks for that 👍



  • #4
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,042 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720710#Comment_123720710

    Just in my experience once somebody has a full license there isn't a massive difference between 1.0 and 1.4 within reason.



  • #5
    Banjo Carney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Banjo Carney


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720776#Comment_123720776

    Ok very good we'll have a look at what's around and do some quotes before the final decision 👍



  • #6
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,042 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720831#Comment_123720831

    What your budget?



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  • #7
    Banjo Carney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Banjo Carney


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720834#Comment_123720834

    Hoping to get something between 6 and 8 thousand. Probably don't want to spend too much on the first one. It'll probably be bought more with insurance cost in mind rather than something she'll really like



  • #8
    greasepalm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,087 ✭✭✭greasepalm


    Do plenty of background checks as having worked in a garage found out the hard way when people buy German cars its the extras that add up on maintenance and or short lived vehicles.

    She needs a car that is reliable and not go fund me car with ongoing issues.



  • #9
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,270 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    What’s her insurance like on a Volvo v40, they have an excellent safety rating.
    Something like this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v40-1-6-d-r-design-nct-12-25-low-mls-120k/40310144

    Not sure if there’s an insurance difference between a petrol or diesel but check if the petrol is any cheaper to insure.



  • #10
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,665 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    For a first car I'd look at a Toyota Yaris or Ford Fiesta. A 1.3 litre Yaris would be nicer over the 1.0 litre but they are rarer. If going for a Fiesta then look at the 1.2 litre engine over the 1.0 litre which can have reliability issues. Another to look at is the Suzuki Swift.



  • #11
    Banjo Carney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Banjo Carney


    Yes saw a couple of Suzuki Swifts they might be a runner. She's not mad about the fiesta or yaris



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  • #12
    Rocket_GD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,440 ✭✭✭Rocket_GD


    For reliability you won't beat a Toyota Corolla, great first car for anyone.



  • #13
    circadian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭circadian


    Corolla might be in a higher insurance bracket, but yeah a Yaris or Swift with a decent service history should be reliable. Just be aware of milage and consumables (brakes, tires, CV boots and possibly roll bars depending on age) and if you've seen these replaced within the last few years then it'd be a safe enough bet.



  • #14
    Esel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,288 ✭✭✭✭Esel
    Not Your Ornery Onager


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123721828#Comment_123721828

    Roll bars, or just roll bar bushes?

    Not your ornery onager



  • #15
    circadian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭circadian


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123723356#Comment_123723356

    Bushes, sorry should have been clearer.



  • #16
    Banjo Carney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Banjo Carney


    Great information thanks everyone.



  • #17
    RosieJoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,512 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    I have a 09 Honda Jazz for the kids to learn in, manual 1.2l. Not a Jap Import, which have no immobilizers and were a joyriders dream as they were easy to rob.

    Some Insurance companies would not quote me due to it's age and also the fact it was new to me. If I had owned it for more than 2 years I would have been able to get insurance with Aviva to avail of the reduced price for CBT they offer. But as it was new to me car they would not quote.

    Post edited by RosieJoe on


  • #18
    a clanger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 381 ✭✭a clanger


    I'm on my second VW UP! and love them. 1.0 engine and cheap to insure and tax. Its the same car as the Skoda Citgo and Seat Mii. Son passes his test and we got a 1.0 Fiesta ecoboost from the north. Lovely little car and KennCo charged €1600 for his insurance (19yr with 1 year named driving experience full licence )



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