Car for learner

[taichiperson]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a low cost (insurance, tax, maintenance, etc) model for a learner to start on? It will more than triple our insurance to cover our 19 year old to drive our Picasso, and I'm loathe to let him loose on it anyway as at present it's our only car and I'm self employed and travel a lot. He's had about six months of lessons and is probably ready for his theory soon. Son no 2 will be 17 in 7 months also, so we're wondering if it would be more cost effective to have a cheap(?) second car for them to use. Preferably diesel.

[madmondeo]

Any smallish engine car will be cheaper for younger drivers ie 106 1.5diesel?

Having said that no insurance is cheap for 17 yr olds!

[oldhenry]

why diesel?, unless you are going do many many ,miles they are not worth the hassle and extra expense.
You need bottom of the range stuff, Fiat usually make a cheap and basic small car etc.
My sons had a Renault 4- Group 1, but sadly these cars have gone to the scappy.

[taichiperson]

I prefer a diesel, it's easier to drive and more fuel efficient.
Our first 2 cars were R4's, I was just looking at a website today!! There are people out there still who restore them.
Our last car was a Citroen ZX, would have been perfect but we had to cut our losses as it had come to the end of the line.........when the repair bill is more than the car is worth, it's time to call it a day!