|
Lots of thoughtful and good advice from everyone, thank you it's very helpful.
|
My kids went through this stage about 10 years ago. They valued their cars because, although we helped them out a bit, they worked evenings and weekends to pay for the cars (and insurance). Both of them started out with Renaults - 5s - and they served them well. Daughter has moved on to Clios, (had a bit of trouble with the latest!)
Son has gone on to a Citroen C2 - smashing little car and has been very reliable (no problems at all in 4 years and 70k miles - just routine servicing) and very economical (1.4 diesel - not bad performance), also quite well regarded by the "younger set"??? - worth a thought?
Good luck - it's a minefield!!
Phil
|
|
How about some advanced tuition to improve their safety? Not seen as cool perhaps, but any improvement in driving ability and safety must be worth it. Can bring insurance benefits too.
|
|
|
|
Aaah, teenage boys and cars... dontcha just love it!
Cardriver, the biggest problem is curbing the spontanaiety of youth.
Until they've had one heart-in-the-mouth experience, they think they are fireproof.
Even if/when they are licensed, it is still a good idea to take them out, with you driving, and say 'WATCH, learn, and ask questions..." because the test itself is hardly a be-all-and-end-all.
Put them (safely) into situations, and see how they respond. For example, if it is persisting with rain, load up you, the kids, dog, granny etc into the car, and see what they do when the screen mists up!
Or, for that matter, load up granny, dog, kids, sack of coal etc etc etc, and let them feel for themselves how lard-assed the car is when overloaded. They won't EVER invite half the pub for a lift home again!
You want the kids to ask intelligent questions - why did you do X, Y or Z?
The Old navy defensive thread is a good example - everyone can learn from others' experiences.
|
Oh, by the way, take them out and show them how to do the following...
1) fill up with the right brand of fuel
2) check the dipstick, radiator and tyre pressures (obviously when tyres are cold)
3) Show them the jack, spanner, spare, jacking points and how it all works. There won't always be a teenage lad to do it for them!
In fact, get THEM to do it themselves, as a 'test!'And ensure the wheel nuts are all tight, but not so tight that they can't be removed - as happens when put on by tyre-monkey.
4) ditto the fusebox, and relevant page in the manual!
Edited by Ian (Cape Town) on 05/12/2008 at 19:55
|
|
Teach them where it's safe to change a wheel and the value of driving on and ruining a wheel and tyre if necessary...
|
|
|
Ian, they now have to be able to show how to do several of those checks as part of the practical test - but good to practise!
As they are girls, the insurance will be much more reasonable than for boys.
Our daughter happily learned on a 2.0 Mondeo estate and then borrowed it as well as sharing driving on long journeys. Her first own car is a Proton 1.4 Sprint which she is still driving several years later.
Our son drove a new shape Micra initially - we could not afford to insure him on the Mondeo or X-trail.
|
I'm interested in this topic as my daughter is very keen to get mobile when she turns 17 soon.
I followed the suggestion above of putting her data into Confused.com. It quoted £1780 TPFT on a £1000 1.8 Mondeo LX and £1255 on a £1000 Citroen AX Debut.
|
|
Flying Red, if daughter is at home and drives your car occasionally, then it only cost £60 to put mine onto my insurance for a 2.0 Mondeo.
|
How about a usable classic - a real Mini.
A well-sorted one would be reliable, cheaper than most to insure and have some retro cool.
They also go where you point them - nice and safe for a new driver.
|
How about a usable classic - a real Mini. A well-sorted one would be reliable cheaper than most to insure and have some retro cool. They also go where you point them - nice and safe for a new driver.
.. And an NCAP rating of about minus 5 I should thinkl!
|
|
|
|
|
It's a while ago now, but my wife had an old Sierra 1.8. It cost very little to add my daughter on to the policy as a learner. When she passed her test it was a different story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I would suggest getting an insurance quote through Elephant or Bell directly - I have consistently been quoted less through them direct than through confused.com which sometimes refuses to cover me with them even though my insurance has been there for 4 years.
When I was 17 I found that Elephant were prepared to cover me on a much higher insurance group car than expected for much less than most, presumably on the basis that a young person that has spent £20k say on a car is likely to take much more care than one that has spent £200.
As for which car, well I would look at something like a Golf Mk.IV...
|
To the OP, you should have a look at www.youngmarmalade.co.uk - they provide a service aimed exactly at your needs.
I wish to disclose that I do some work for them and have had the permission of this site to mention their name.
|
If safety is your top concern, then look at the crash results at euronacp.com.
As a generalisation, the older the car, the less safe and the more expensive to insure.
Regarding size, when Fifth Gear crashed a large old Volvo estate against a small Modus, the Modus driver would have walked away, the Volvo driver most certainly not. Safety design has come a long way in recent years...
(Fyi, when I was faced with the same choice for my daughter, for the budget I had available then, I went for a Lupo/Arosa)
|
|
|
To the OP you should have a look at www.youngmarmalade.co.uk - they provide a service aimed exactly at your needs.
I followed this link for a new C1 Rhythm (with a/c) and compared it with the cost of the C! from an online broker plus Confused's best quote for my daughter, same policy terms and benefits.
Youngmarmalade: £8782.56 incl. £595 for 12 months insurance - total £9377
Broker price £6556 plus £924.50 (Admiral) - total £7480
Hmm!
|
|
Flying Red. If you didn't when you got quotes for your daughter, do the same quote again including mother as a named driver (assuming she drives) and or yourself. It certainly bought the premiums down on my daughters polo.
|
My eldest girl passed test at 17 and all she wanted was an Austin A35 in black.
Got one, free road tax, £36 a year insurance, fully comp with breakdown cover.
We have 2 other oldies, the Jowett and a Renault F6C Fourgonnette. Both under £90 for same insurance package. Not for everyone but ultra cool in the college car park.
Ted
|
|
Tried a standard stereo in an A35 ;-) I thought "positive earth"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
