I had a rover 200 1L for a first car, (a little different to a fabia i know) insurance was £2144 for fully comp with LV.

Managed to get one years no claims, and at 18 looked into a VRs.

Got a 2006 VRs within two weeks of looking, and had it insured for £1400 (fully comp) with LV.

So I would suggest buying a fairly cr*p car for starters, I paid £300 for the rover, which even had PAS. Get a years NCB then go for something quicker.

It may be worth looking at the 1.2 sport model, I still have this from when I passed 3 years ago. It is by no means a pocket rocket but its nippy little thing if you push it right! It's not a big difference in insurance groups either, I found it quite reasonable. It looks great with the little touches it comes with such as the front bumper/fogs, rear tints, sport alloys, vrs seats (however a black fabric) leather steering wheel and handbrake and red seat belts. I've put vrs alloys on it to make it look that little bit better, which didn't affect insurance much at all!

Overall I'm chuffed with my mark 1 and I'm happy to keep it for a few more years!

become a freedom member and try sky insurance. They are brisky sponsors I think and tell them your username etc. I have found them to be the cheapest and their customer service was excellent

I am collecting a 1.2 classic for my lad this friday (hopefully) - insurance = £1984 TPFT, and we were pleased with that - been quoted over £3k for other cars like Saxos and Corsas and £2.5k for a Polo 1.0e.

I have some 16 inch steelies, and wonder if the insurers would deem them as a mod?

Also looking forward to doing the door seals this weekend :/

If you swap anything that isn't standard OEM spec - then it counts as a mod.

However... If you were swapping steelies, provided they're the same width and you get slightly lower profile tyres to keep the wheels within the same rolling circumference - I can't see it being too drastic as you're sticking to within OEM specs.

I was doing some browsing on AutoTrader and there's some good ones for under a grand. As cheap as possible really. I am a student don't forget

The insurance is the killer really. have a look around for legal methods of reducing the premium - adding a relative, limiting the mileage etc.

TBH the prices insurance companies charge younger people these days it's worth considering whether to own a car at all or just use taxis and hire cars when needed for longer journeys,

If you went for VRS alloys, I doubt most insurers would charge anything - just tell them theyre "upgraded official skoda alloys"

Wrong. You have to declare all mods and if they weren't a factory fit option then insurance will need to know or you risk your insurance being null and void. It just ain't worth it. :(

To the OP - I would imagine that once you start asking about modifications, insurance will get silly. Despite how tasteful and non-chav the mods might be, and you could be the most careful driver in the world, it will just look like another 17-year-old boy racer to them.

Good luck getting a motor and welcome to Briskoda

If it was me, i'd just purely go for making it a very tidy motor and build up a bit of confidence/NCB/money - then once your premiums come down then look at either upgrading or modding to your hearts content when you're with a mod 'friendly' insurer.

But then that's just my opinion.

If you went for VRS alloys, I doubt most insurers would charge anything - just tell them theyre "upgraded official skoda alloys"

Incorrect. I asked my insurance if I could put on the alloys that would have come with my car if the person purchasing would have paid for the alloys from factory. They said yes...... For £250.

Just Bought an Fabia 1.2 hpt 2003 for myself with an 18 yr old learner. Got insurance fully comp class 1 for £550.

Only issue is a Black box requires fitting so they can monitor the driving. I.E. Speed , excessive accelaration and braking ( not on a 1.2... ) , Speed into corners and time of driving after 11pm etc etc.

Means I will have to be more concious of my driving now ... but every 90 days the stats are reviewed and premium can got down as well as up.

Makes insuring the first car a lot more reasonable if willing to have BIG BROTHER watching..........

Insurance from CO-Operative btw

G

You may find that the premium changes once the learner passes their test......

Best we found was from I Kube, through John Russell Insurance in Wolverhampton, 1900 quid for a 17 year old learning to drive in a 1.2 classic, no increase in the premium but he cannot pass his test within 6 weeks of taking out the policy. Some learner polices are just for learners, not young drivers who have just passed their test, it can catch you unawares if you are not careful.