Small Car for Learner

[kerryxeg]

I don't really have anything suitable for a learner driver in September. It's probably not going to see much use, other than learning and as an spare. But obviously needs to be reliable, cheap to insure and not too ugly.

Fall back plan is learning in my 2003 xtrail, not sure how that would work out, but at least it's manual and can accept kerb contact. But I'd probably sell the xtrail if I could find good we learner car as an alternative.

Looking at a citroen C2 1.0 or 1.1 etc, in the £2k bracket, let me know if you know of anything or any opinions on options.

[TophaTron]

The C1/107/Aygo family could be worth considering? They're cheap as anything to run and have Toyota running gear.

My other half had one from new for a few years and it was a great car.

Only weak point I'm aware of is the clutch - as long as that's fine you should be all good.

I'd also consider a Picanto/i10. I bought a 95k mile Picanto for £950 a few years back as a temporary car for my mum. She loved it and nothing ever went wrong with it in the 3 years I ended up keeping it.

[mwmackenzie]

I Have an S2 Elise that's not too big if you're interested

[Victor Meldrew]

I Have an S2 Elise that's not too big if you're interested

He did ask for something not too ugly......

[Dominic]

I Have an S2 Elise that's not too big if you're interested

He did ask for something not too ugly......

[istoo]

in the same place kerryxeg, we were going down the 1.0-1.2 clio route, but have opted for plan B which is renting the dual control car from Arnold Clark for £9/hr.
http://www.arnoldclarkrental.com/dual-control-hire
Which is cheap and includes insurance, he can bash/break someone elses car!

Pending sons exam results and future life path can make car decisions after passing test.

[Victor Meldrew]

in the same place kerryxeg, we were going down the 1.0-1.2 clio route, but have opted for plan B which is renting the dual control car from Arnold Clark for £9/hr.
http://www.arnoldclarkrental.com/dual-control-hire
Which is cheap and includes insurance, he can bash/break someone elses car!

Pending sons exam results and future life path can make car decisions after passing test.

Next door neighbor is an ex driving instructor and he used an Arnold Clark hire car to teach all four of his grandchildren. He considered buying a cheap 2nd hand car but ruled it out on insurance grounds.

Some new car deals offer a years free insurance as part of the package, but most have exclusions for drivers under a certain age but some do not. I remember having the discussion a few years ago. Was either Renault or Toyota that would cover new drivers, may be totally different now however.

[istoo]

in the same place kerryxeg, we were going down the 1.0-1.2 clio route, but have opted for plan B which is renting the dual control car from Arnold Clark for £9/hr.
http://www.arnoldclarkrental.com/dual-control-hire
Which is cheap and includes insurance, he can bash/break someone elses car!

Pending sons exam results and future life path can make car decisions after passing test.

Next door neighbor is an ex driving instructor and he used an Arnold Clark hire car to teach all four of his grandchildren. He considered buying a cheap 2nd hand car but ruled it out on insurance grounds.

Some new car deals offer a years free insurance as part of the package, but most have exclusions for drivers under a certain age but some do not. I remember having the discussion a few years ago. Was either Renault or Toyota that would cover new drivers, may be totally different now however.

I actually read that thread also!
Thats still a possiblity, we were looking at VW Up / Twingo as choices, but don't want to get to that point until lad has actually passed his test and see where / what he ends up doing.

[graeme]

I read that you shouldn't discount big old volvos and saabs and things for learners. They're not obvious choices for 17 year olds, so don't have the same risk ratings. I.e. many, many Aygos, Clios and Fiestas will have been crashed and repaired by 17 years olds. Very few Volvo's have. Depending on the insurer, this can throw up surprisingly cheap quotes.

Purely anecdotal, never had to research it myself, but worth a quick play on a comparison site maybe.

[kerryxeg]

Interesting thoughts, maybe the xtrail wouldn't be a bad option for some open country practice and the Arnold clark rental option would work for a bit of in town practice. The rental option, doesn't lend itself to an adhoc practice on the way to the shop etc, but for a planned activity in the evening maybe it would work ok.

I didn't realise the C1 had Toyota running gear, maybe that puts it above the C2 - which seems to have its fair share of common issues.

[rossybee]

in the same place kerryxeg, we were going down the 1.0-1.2 clio route, but have opted for plan B which is renting the dual control car from Arnold Clark for £9/hr.
http://www.arnoldclarkrental.com/dual-control-hire
Which is cheap and includes insurance, he can bash/break someone elses car!

Pending sons exam results and future life path can make car decisions after passing test.

Ditto.

The current Mrs Bee has a Skoda Citigo which is cheap as cheap chips to run, but her insurance co wouldn't cover our 17yr old daughter (theory test passed, practical booked) so I've done the Arnold Clark corsa thing. A few points to note - mileage is VERY limited (30miles in the hour iirc) with a charge per mile should you go over that....but the mileage wasn't noted when I picked the car up so not sure how strictly this is monitored.

Also, if junior has a young scot card, you get 2hrs for the price of 1 - bargain. I paid the extra £6 to remove the £500 excess so £15 for 2hrs helped me focus all my angst on avoiding kerbs and other vehicles

By coincidence my father in law is giving up driving and his 08 VW Fox is up for grabs....he's had it since new, and only has 10,000 miles under its wheels....so might take it for darling daughter

If, for whatever reason, she doesn't take it, I'll be sure to pop it on here for a quick and easy sale...

[istoo]

Also, if junior has a young scot card, you get 2hrs for the price of 1 - bargain. I paid the extra £6 to remove the £500 excess so £15 for 2hrs helped me focus all my angst on avoiding kerbs and other vehicles

good tip and heading for first trip in dual control with son at 1200. been told by wife not to swear / shout at the boy. calm calm..

[rossybee]

been told by wife not to swear / shout at the boy. calm calm..

Ha! Nae chance!

[IanD]

The current Mrs Bee has a Skoda Citigo which is cheap as cheap chips to run, but her insurance co wouldn't cover our 17yr old daughter (theory test passed, practical booked) so I've done the Arnold Clark corsa thing.

If getting insurance cover is your only problem you can get standalone learner only insurance cover. We got that so I could take my son out in our BMW as couldn't get him on the car policy. Worked out something like £50 per month.

[rossybee]

The current Mrs Bee has a Skoda Citigo which is cheap as cheap chips to run, but her insurance co wouldn't cover our 17yr old daughter (theory test passed, practical booked) so I've done the Arnold Clark corsa thing.

If getting insurance cover is your only problem you can get standalone learner only insurance cover. We got that so I could take my son out in our BMW as couldn't get him on the car policy. Worked out something like £50 per month.

I did see that Ian, but as I'm away half the month and darling daughter works quite often in the early evenings, so didn't pursue this route.