My Wife wants to learn to drive and we've decided the best way is for her to buy a car to do it in so that she can get as much experience as possible and then keep this car for sometime after passing. The car would also be used for my commute to work as I currently drop the Wife off so she could drive that part once she has some confidence behind the wheel.

Budget is around

My Wife wants to learn to drive ....

Currently leaning towards an Ibiza Cupra 20VT but open to suggestions.

Is that really going to be a good car for her to learn on?!?! :confused:

Chris

Is that really going to be a good car for her to learn on?!?! :confused:

Chris

Why not? :confused:

I'm open to different options but reasons would be appreciated.

I would get a Lupo TDI or Arosa TDI. I think those lickle cars are great and the 3 pots sound good aswel.

But if you want more power, a Seat Ibiza would porb fit the bill.

I'm in the same situation with my wife, check insurance Eddy as you'll find even a 1.4 Polo is a bit steep to insure as a learner driver. Fair enough you can insure it in your name with her as an additional driver but then she gets zero no claims and you cant use your NCB on 2 cars at once.

Polo 1.4 CL seems the most likely option for my wife although she quite likes the Fabia (though Polo is better spec'd).

Also think that a big percentage of new drivers crash within the first 2 years so buying a cheaper car to start with may be a better idea.

Sorry - let me expand It just seemed to me that you'd be giving her a car which could potentially get an inexperienced driver into a lot of trouble very easily (a quick squeeze of the right foot!) and she might be better off with something with a little less go and a little more visibility (for all those reversing maneouvres)

Personally, I'd favour getting something like an old bubble shaped Micra/Corsa for 1000 quid and then replacing it after she's more proficient.... but I guess it comes down to what your wife feels comfortable driving

Chris

And why can't she learn to drive in yours

Seriously if she's learning I would think something simple and easy to drive and learn in and maybe later when she's a bit more confident get something nicer and racier.

I suppose if you want fun too if you have to drive then the seat sounds good.Don't know how much of a petrolhead your wife is but mine "loved her orange one" (a metro) then her "green one" a fiesta, then the black 1.4 classic fabia and now she loves her "furby with the lovely seats" ( the vRS)

I reckon she will want a golf but would be interested to know if she has suggested any cars she likes

I guess a lot also depends on her age: I'd get a few 'theoretical' insurance quotes first.

A small car is generally easier to learn in, and preferably one with decent visibility. I'd get a supermini with a small petrol engine, then upgrade to something quicker in a couple of years.

Lupo, Polo, Arosa, Ibiza and Fabia all fit the bill. In fact,

I would get a Lupo TDI or Arosa TDI. I think those lickle cars are great and the 3 pots sound good aswel.

But if you want more power' date=' a Seat Ibiza would porb fit the bill.[/quote']

Don't think they have aircon, the ones I've looked at on autotrader don't mention it anyway.

i hear the 1.8T lump goes in the lupo quite nicely... think you might know a place that could do such a job as well...

cheap as chips 1ltr Lupo and a conversion...

That's a fair bit of power for a learner.

I'd agree with Chris on this one micra/corsa or alike. That's what Kim will be getting in the next few months (that's if I haven't bought a scooby lol)

Should be able to find a 1.4 Polo with air con, electric windows, electric mirrors, ABS and a multi CD easily for your sort of money.

"cheap" fabias dont have central locking yet they do have air con.

What does she look like? Good looking girls always suit Clio's

That's a fair bit of power for a learner

I wouldn't say that, I learnt in a BMW 325i Estate, with driving school sign on top

Insurance has already been checked and isn't a problem on a unmodded Ibiza Cupra.

Getting insured on my car with a provisional isn't an option and also a little big TBH.

I don't see the power being a problem provided she's responsible. I drove many cars whilst learning including a Sierra Cosworth and started driving my Civic Type R the day I passed (which I found easier to drive than the driving schools corsa I'd been taught in).

She knows her cars quite well and would like a 1.8T as that's what our last 2 cars were, she drove our remapped Golf 1.8T but she has stated a preference for something smaller which I would agree with. She has road experience from riding tuned scooters and 125 sports bikes.

Someone on here is a driving instructor with a Fabia VRS.

Sounds like you've decided on the Cupra then

I wouldn't say that, I learnt in a BMW 325i Estate, with driving school sign on top

dual controls? Difference is you had a teacher next to you Eddy's Mrsus might not have that (I'm not knocking her drive before you ask)

Though if she is happy to drive it go for it, kim whats a Land Rover as her first car, but that dont mean she is getting one

Sounds like you've decided on the Cupra then

Need to try one first, but it looks promising. Still open to suggestions though.

i hear the 1.8T lump goes in the lupo quite nicely... think you might know a place that could do such a job as well...

cheap as chips 1ltr Lupo and a conversion...

I'm in the same situation with my wife' date=' check insurance Eddy as you'll find even a 1.4 Polo is a bit steep to insure as a learner driver. Fair enough you can insure it in your name with her as an additional driver but then she gets zero no claims and you cant use your NCB on 2 cars at once.

Polo 1.4 CL seems the most likely option for my wife although she quite likes the Fabia (though Polo is better spec'd).

Also think that a big percentage of new drivers crash within the first 2 years so buying a cheaper car to start with may be a better idea.[/quote']

Insurance quote is with Diamond with my Wife as the main driver and me as a named driver. Strange thing is it's cheaper with her having a provisional than full! :confused:

Should be able to find a 1.4 Polo with air con' date=' electric windows, electric mirrors, ABS and a multi CD easily for your sort of money.

"cheap" fabias dont have central locking yet they do have air con.

What does she look like? Good looking girls always suit Clio's[/quote']

She would not have a clio!

If it really helps to see what she looks like then here's a photo (pretty poor as it's the only one I can find from work as it's off the internet!):

My Wife is on the left.

Strange thing is it's cheaper with her having a provisional than full! :confused:

That's because as a provisional licence holder she'll always have to have someone more experienced in the car with her if she's driving.

Once she's passed, she's inexperienced and alone, hence the premium bobs up...

Rob.

That's because as a provisional licence holder she'll always have to have someone more experienced in the car with her if she's driving.

Once she's passed' date=' she's inexperienced and alone, hence the premium bobs up...

Rob.[/quote']

I thought it must be something like that. About

I would go with a small car first.....SWMBO's first car was a 1litre Yaris...no fireball but nippy....very reliable....small enough to get experience of dirving day to day.

Let em out into a more powerful car and they go mad.

But if you must have a VAG...and something quick.... Lupo GTi. Or if your more insurance conscious Arosa 1.4 16v Sport.

I would go with a small car first.....SWMBO's first car was a 1litre Yaris...no fireball but nippy....very reliable....small enough to get experience of dirving day to day.

Let em out into a more powerful car and they go mad.

But if you must have a VAG...and something quick.... Lupo GTi. Or if your more insurance conscious Arosa 1.4 16v Sport.

Lupo GTI's start around