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[05omegav6]

My brother had an F reg one as his first car... rusty and faded, but utterly bombproof

Only issue was with the Carb wearing out, but easily sorted with one from a breaker...

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I know this is going back a bit, but as mentioned previously a 1.0 12v Corsa, at the time was the cheapest car in the country to buy, insure and run over a 3 yr period, better than any Kia, Hyundai, etc... they're frugal, and dont tend to be thrashed (why buy a car with that engine size if you like to drive fast?) Also keeping it in the Vauxhall stable will help you no end.. Apparently, the 1.0 12v is basically half a 2.5 V6 

[RossPhim]

We bought a old 54 plate Picanto for my eldest when she was learning to drive.
IIRC it was £30 RFD, of the year.
Just remember that your no claims bonus is meaningless as it's for your policy, which I assume you will be keeping on the MIG.
This will be an entirely new policy even in your name starting at 0 NCB. That bit took me by surprise.

She's 19 now and we upgraded it to a 11 plate just a few months back as we were so impressed with the first one.
She's happy as it's got more toys, and we're happy as this one is £0 RFD, the same and actually cheaper to insure in her own name as we've switched to a multi car policy!

Good luck with your search!
 

[Marks DTM Calib]

My brother had an F reg one as his first car... rusty and faded, but utterly bombproof

Only issue was with the Carb wearing out, but easily sorted with one from a breaker...

Yes well there not 'F reg' ones any more are they.....and at that age they didn't even have servo brakes. 

Now you have the joys of shite small petrol engines with chain issues and bad gearboxes, electrical faults and numerous other bits.

The only reason why they were reliable years ago is they had zero features 

[Marks DTM Calib]

I know this is going back a bit, but as mentioned previously a 1.0 12v Corsa, at the time was the cheapest car in the country to buy, insure and run over a 3 yr period, better than any Kia, Hyundai, etc... they're frugal, and dont tend to be thrashed (why buy a car with that engine size if you like to drive fast?) Also keeping it in the Vauxhall stable will help you no end.. Apparently, the 1.0 12v is basically half a 2.5 V6 

Beware with the 1.0 and 1.2 as poor servicing results in chain issues and HG failures.

They also suffer rain water leaks from the bulk head areas on BOTH sides so check carpets for wetness.

Other than that its the usual wear and tear stuff like springs, CV boots, CV boot retaining clips etc.

[05omegav6]

My brother had an F reg one as his first car... rusty and faded, but utterly bombproof

Only issue was with the Carb wearing out, but easily sorted with one from a breaker...

Yes well there not 'F reg' ones any more are they.....and at that age they didn't even have servo brakes. 

Now you have the joys of shite small petrol engines with chain issues and bad gearboxes, electrical faults and numerous other bits.

The only reason why they were reliable years ago is they had zero features 

True enough Not a bad place to start from though...

[Jusme]

Had the same decision to help with and was pushing him toward a......... Kia Rio.  Insurance is low, seem to be reasonably reliable? And there appears to be enough room in the back for....... 'what comes naturally', at that age especially.. Example.
Key facts
 •2003
 •Petrol
 •Hatchback
 •Manual
 •86500 miles
 .
Long MOT September 2015, Economical, Good intererior, blue, stereo cd/dvd, BLUE, Electric windows, Air conditioning, Height adjustable driver's seat, Folding rear seats, Child seat points (Isofix system), Power steering, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Central locking, Immobiliser, Driver's airbags. £485

[X30XE]

Not that Mark needs my backup to be believed, but yes the early 2000s polos were absolutely shocking cars and very dear for parts. classic "oh that'll be £300 please" VW stylee. 

Re insurance : If you're not the main driver of the car and you're the policy holder that's "fronting" and is illegal.  Expect the insurers to roll on you in the event of a claim.

I had an M-reg 306 Dturbo as my first car.  With hindsight I wish I'd had a late 80's/early 90's polo coupe or a BMW 316i saloon. Boat has been somewhat missed on those now 

[omegod]

I know a couple of people who have gone down the classic route for their young uns and got decent prices, not sure how but worked for them

[tigers_gonads]

Thanks for the info lads 

Omegod, that's a idea worth looking into 

[Sir Tigger KC]

It's painful at first, but I'm sure in the long run Gonads Jnr will be better off getting his own policy and start building up that NCB in his own right ASAP and of course Gonads Snr will be better off when he inevitably puts it in a ditch!     

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I think it stinks how much younger drivers are forced to pay.. on the other hand. If you're paying £2k for a car's insurance on a £500 banger.. you tend to really, really, really appreciate what you've got. The only exceptions are when it's not being paid for by the said new driver, but parents etc... not saying that's the case of all young drivers where the parents are paying the insurance, just the spoilt little rich kids, you know?

Just out of interest, what are the prices?

[RossPhim]

Mine was around £650 whilst she was a learner, and they gladly emptied my wallet for another £360 ish on the day she passed her test to get us to the end of the first year, which was only 4 moths away!
Car was a Picanto GS 1.1, and couldn't pull the skin off a custard, which suited her as us just fine.

[Broomies Mate]

I'll re-iterate.

Just because a car has a tiny engine doesn't mean it's cheap to insure.  Insurance Groups don't really give an idea either.

Get a quote on several vehicles and I'm sure you will be quite surprised.

I'll bet a 1.6 Astra G will be cheaper to Insure than a 1.0 Corsa (with a 3cyl engine which fails after 50k).

Likewise, a 1.4 Focus will be cheaper than a 1.1 Saxo.

Steal-ability, Crash-ability, The likelyhood of a teen owning one, there are many factors.

[tigers_gonads]

A update on this
Now possibly looking at getting a small 2 seat van or maybe a astra van with rear seats in the back.
The idea is that a small van insured on a trade policy in the lads name (with me as named number 2 driver) will work out substantially cheaper then a car   
At the end of the day, mini me is in his 2nd year as a painter and decorator and is looking to start doing some work of his own when he is not at collage.

This would also give him the opportunity to build up some no claims bonuses while he earns a little money and practice for his driving test 

Opinions welcome