The day has finally come, you have passed your driving test and after years of waiting you are about to buy your first car!
You may have pictured yourself driving round in a brand new sporty number, but realistically you have a budget and alongside the cost of the car you need to take into account the cost of insurance for a first time driver. So what do you get?
A good car for a young driver needs to be safe, economical and affordable. The best place to start is with Freeads, where you will find plenty of used cars in all shapes and sizes, and most importantly within your budget.
A used car doesn’t mean a rusty old piece of metal that you will be embarrassed to be seen in. Don’t believe it? Just take a look at these:
Vauxhall Corsa
For a small car the Vauxhall Corsa is actually quite spacious inside and comfortable as a result. It is also extremely safe, having the maximum Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) score of five stars. Most 1.0-litre petrol models are group two insurance, but there are early models available in the cheapest, group one! The car also has low running costs, which is important for a first time driver watching the pennies.
It is important to check the mileage of the car as this can affect the price, but for a used Vauxhall Corsa you are looking at paying between £900 and £2K for a 2004-2006 model. A year later (2007) and you are looking at around £3,500 and over. A 2009 model will cost you just under your £5K budget.
Toyota Yaris
The Euro NCAP for the Fiesta is the maximum of five stars, ensuring that you will feel safe as you get used to driving a car for the first time. It is easy to drive and practical. Look out for a 1.0-litre petrol engine to be in the group 2 insurance bracket, which is also extremely economical. Its low running cost will mean that your fuel takes you much further.
For a 2010 model you are looking at paying just under your £5k budget, but if you are happy to go back a few years you could pay as little as £500 for a 2003 plate. Leaving plenty left over to put toward tax, insurance and running costs.
Renault Clio
The Clio is basic but stylish and chic for a starter car. They are cheap to run, insure and tax – which is important when you are buying your first little run around. Again this car has been given the Euro NCAP maximum of five stars.
For a 2010 plate you will pay around your full of budget of 5K, a 06 – 08 model will take you just under 3k and if you are happy to go back as far as 2003 you could be paying under 1k!
Fiat Panda
This Fiat will be in the lowest insurance group if you shop for a 1.1 or 1.2 litre engine. Pandas boast a super-efficient engine, making them a practical car with low running costs. Euro NCAP have given them four stars.
For a 2006 model you will pay just under £2K, for a 2007 – 2010 plate it will go up to around £3K. A 2012 plate will be just under your £5K budget.
Citroen C1
The Citroen is a popular motor, perfect for first time drivers. They are cheap to run and insure and have four stars, which is just under the Euro NCAP maximum.
A 2012 plate will leave you with very little change from your £5K budget, but if you go back to a 2005 to 2008 plate you will pay about half of this.
