Recommend a cheap car for female learner

FrankGrimes · 09-05-2006 11:58am #1

So the girlfriend is finally learning to drive at the grand old age of 25 and she wants to get her own car.

She only wants to spend 2 grand but would stretch it to 3 if she has to, but would prefer not to.

She wants a small car though hates Micras and she's currently looking at Renault Clio (her top choice) and Ford Fiestas. I've advised against Fiat Puntos as I hear they are very unreliable.

Any recommendations on decent little jammers in this price range that might be worth a look?

Thanks

smash · 09-05-2006 3:05pm

little sciento, my wife started on one in Nov, easy to learn in. Just got her a punto recently, nice too, has dual power steering so she finds that good and easy.

Only thing with the Sciento is that the pedals aren't rubber coated so can get slippy when wet.

Jood · 09-05-2006 3:07pm

Hi There,

I started off with a Punto, i got one for 2 grand 98 and its still going strong have had no major problems with it.

smash · 09-05-2006 3:08pm

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=&xMakeID=&ColourID=&xColourID=&xModelID=&Doors=&BodyID=&Engine_Min=1000&Year_Min=2000&Engine_Max=1200&Year_Max=&Price_Min=1&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=3200&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=100&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E

Gurgle · 09-05-2006 3:13pm

Sure, yeah, get a Fiat if you want to really get to know your local mechanic well.:rolleyes:

Get a corolla.
Nothing better.

You should be able to pick up a '97 or '98 for less than €3k
It will be a 1.3 or 1.4 litre, but afaik the engine size is no longer the defining factor for insurance quotes.

smarty · 09-05-2006 3:57pm

What about a Fiesta? They are much safer than a sciecento! They scare me!

FrankGrimes · 09-05-2006 4:43pm

thanks for the replies.

Thinking of staying away from Fiats as the price seems to reflect the unreliability and don't have time for the hassle.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions on Renault Clios, Opel Corsas, and Ford Fiestas? Reckon a Corolla would be too big for her though they do run forever.

Vegeta · 09-05-2006 4:49pm

Man i am 22 and only driving 3 months, definitely get a corolla, very easy to learn in and if she learns to drive a normal sized car she'll be a better driver for it. Seriously couldn't recommend one enough

road_high · 09-05-2006 5:03pm

FrankGrimes wrote:

thanks for the replies.

Thinking of staying away from Fiats as the price seems to reflect the unreliability and don't have time for the hassle.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions on Renault Clios, Opel Corsas, and Ford Fiestas? Reckon a Corolla would be too big for her though they do run forever.

How about a Daihatsu Sirion or Cuore?You prob have never heard of them but they can't be touched for reliability; should get an early one for 2 or 3grand I reckon.Mostly used by low mileage town motorists.

Fiesta are good, but always in demand so will be priced accordingly.

Not sure about Clios, don't trust Renault or French cars!Try and go Japanese or German if at all possible..

bazz26 · 09-05-2006 10:12pm

colm_mcm · 09-05-2006 10:26pm

a last of the line Toyota Starlet cannot be beaten in terms of reliability or resale value.

This model only ran from 1996 to 1999, and was only available with a 1.3 engine. You can go for an Irish model or plump for the Japanese spec "Reflet" model, which is the same mechanically, but better equipped. not to be confused with the turbcharged Glanza model.

They're not exactly sexy. but they're easy to drive. easy to maintain, and easy to sell once you're able to move on to something bigger.

Or you could just buy a micra........

bazz26 · 09-05-2006 11:47pm

colm_mcm wrote:

a last of the line Toyota Starlet cannot be beaten in terms of reliability or resale value.

This model only ran from 1996 to 1999, and was only available with a 1.3 engine. You can go for an Irish model or plump for the Japanese spec "Reflet" model, which is the same mechanically, but better equipped. not to be confused with the turbcharged Glanza model.

They're not exactly sexy. but they're easy to drive. easy to maintain, and easy to sell once you're able to move on to something bigger.

Agree, all those nuns can't be wrong.

pheelay · 09-05-2006 11:53pm

I've had 2 Renault Clios in the past (95 and 98 - both the old shape). Grand cars and nippy enough for 1.2. Both were very reliable for me. From a learners perspective, the only complaint I'd have is that the clutch is very heavy. No problem once you're used to it but could be off-putting if you took a test drive.

FrankGrimes · 10-05-2006 4:13pm

thanks for all the replies - you've given her plenty of food for thought and she should be able to find something from that list of small cars.

Agree with the point on the Corolla's - I learned in one myself but shes having none of it but she has a big enough list of candidates now to find something decent.

Recommend a cheap car for female learner

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