i seem to be noticing a large amount of hot hatches as leaner cars recently and im wondering why, ive seen golf gt's. fiesta st's, punto sporting, fab vrs, even a mini cooper S! abeit just the one

i cant help but think surely in terms of running prices and parts etc that they are possible some of the worst cars to use from the instructors point of view. are people attracted to learning in one? i personally went on reputation of a good instructor and he had a 1.4 diesel fiesta. and is it wise to teach someone in such a high powered car when more than likely they will be stepping into something like a 1.2 corsa

Quite simply because learners *do* care a lot about the image of the car that they learn in , and that can make a big difference in the number of customers they get.

The car is also not just driven by the learners , and in the case of self employed instructors it's often their only car so they will also want something decent.

Plus , the running costs are often not much different from a "standard" mid-spec one

Quite simply because learners *do* care a lot about the image of the car that they learn in , and that can make a big difference in the number of customers they get.

The car is also not just driven by the learners , and in the case of self employed instructors it's often their only car so they will also want something decent.

Plus , the running costs are often not much different from a "standard" mid-spec one

this is true...... my punto sporting is also my own car, and I want something fun to drive...

on an average working day it gives 50 mpg, 18k service intervals, 54k now, and I haven't had to replace anything on the brakes yet (only thing I've had to buy is tyres) £145 a year to tax (if you bought one now £35 to tax, new 1.6 mutijet diesel, same power) and £330 for insurance... not that bad really...

still costs a bloody lot in fuel though

In Pontefract I've spotted twice now a Leon FR in white with the Aero kit. All liveried up with the Driving Instructor triangle on the top!

This is a K1 but it gives you an idea, just change the alloys, mirrors and grill for an FR.

Wouldn't have complained learning in one of those instead of the Diesel Pug 205 I did learn in!

Driving Instructor round me has a Focus ST.

........as well as been the instructors own car when on their day off, it would also be a more desirable car to sell on once finished with, the small hot hatches are still selling well or at least better compared to other sectors as people move away from larger cars etc.

As already mentioned, pose value for the learner too, they will be seen by their pals while learning so may want to be seen in a decent car.

I learnt in a Renault 5!!

Steve

nothing new... back in 1993 i passed my test in a rover metro gta 16v (105bhp i think)

and up our way there was a guy using an E30 BMW 320i as a school car in the late 80s(he now uses a 118d)

nothing new... back in 1993 i passed my test in a rover metro gta 16v (105bhp i think)

and up our way there was a guy using an E30 BMW 320i as a school car in the late 80s(he now uses a 118d)

friend of mine looked at the 118d, he finally settles on a merc a-class though....