at 17 you do not need a three year old octy. you can have that later in life.

he's right, when i was 17 i wanted a pug 205 gti, insurers just laughed and the car was more than i could afford (more than i earned as well) over the years i have gently moved up from a clapped out sierra to 6 cars on being my octy. i doubt i will ever buy brand new again, but its also taken 12 years too.

my advice get a cheapy and work your way up, as your insurance drops the newer and bigger the car can be, when you hit 25 you be laughing as the insurance (providing you not a big risk) drops.

oh and for a first car just get a cheap banger, why? well you always gonna have a bump in the first year and you might as well have a car that doesnt matter if it gets dented cos claiming off your insurance in the first year will be a no no.

My first car was a brand new Fabia 1.2 Comfort!

I have now just bought a 6 year old Polo!!

Some would say first cars have definiatly changed! Some would say i have gone backwards lol!

I agree with the posts above.

As with any first car you are still learning to drive, the Octavia is a big car and accidents DO happen!

Something smaller would be better, a Fabia would be the right size

I have owned a 2001 1.4 16v Octavia classic from new, couldn't resist the price. I only bought it as a cheap long distance commute car and was expecting it to be slooow (didn't matter sat in traffic). HOWEVER after about 3kmiles found it had very good midrange performance, pulls very well at motorway speeds. Economy is always good, on my commute 47mpg, at continental motorway speeds (130kph-ish) 43.5 .

My first car was a mk1 1.6 octy ambiente on an x plate. I could recommend it, but then I was over 21 at that stage having used my dads felicia 1.3 for 4 years before that.

The mk1 was a good model, and at 6'3 i wanted something that didn't look too small. Most mates had either a 206 or a corsa as first cars, although one had an mx5 which went off at a roundabout. TPFT on a £500 car is the way to go I'd say. If you or your parents are friendly with a local garage that you trust to look out for a tidy trade-in that you could have for that sort of money. It's worth as much as a service and 4 tyres on either my superb or newer octy, and don't give the insurance co's any more money than you have to!

elephant was pretty good for insurance for younger drivers