Have you passed your driving test and are looking for your first car? We present a list of the most popular models among young drivers and tell you what to look out for.
Choosing your first car is extremely important, as it’s the one with which you’ll gain experience and skills. In the case of people who are just beginning their adventure with motorization, the most important thing should be safety and ease of use. We should also pay attention to the cost of liability insurance, which depends, among other things, on the model of the car. Here are some of the most important criteria that should be taken into consideration when buying your first car.
For many young people, the budget for buying a car can be somewhat limited. However, you don’t have to give up on this idea – there are plenty of cars on the second-hand market and you can easily find models whose price does not exceed 10,000 PLN.
In addition to the expense of buying a car, we must also reckon with the additional costs. These include tax (in case of a car purchased from a private person), excise (in case of a car imported from abroad), fees for technical inspection and car registration, as well as replacement parts and tires.
The price of compulsory third party insurance for inexperienced drivers can be very daunting. This is due to the fact that insurance companies classify young people as a higher risk group. When determining the amount of third party liability insurance, the age and make of the car as well as the engine capacity are also taken into account. If we care about the lowest costs, we should choose a model with a small engine. Deciding on a sports car, unfortunately, you have to reckon with huge expenses.
This is one of the most important aspects that we must consider. Driving a neglected car negatively affects the comfort of the driver and generates additional costs. When viewing the models under consideration, it is worth having someone experienced at your side, and if you are completely unfamiliar with the automotive industry, the best solution will be to consult a mechanic.
This is a car that can boast of being indestructible. Malfunctions are extremely rare, and the prices of spare parts are relatively low. Operating the on-board systems is simple and intuitive, which will be quite an advantage for the inexperienced driver. Admittedly, the performance in the 1.4 isn’t particularly impressive, but for someone just learning this shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Simple and reliable model, ideal for those who are not fond of cars with large dimensions. Despite its small size, the car is very safe – in EuroNCAP crash tests the Nissan Micra K11 received 4 out of 5 stars. What’s more, the third party insurance for this car is really low, making it a great choice for anyone looking to save a little.
Among the most important advantages of this model are the low maintenance costs, including the mandatory third party insurance. This car is very cheap to repair and operate, and its small size will allow you to get around town with ease
The Fiat Grande Punto is available in three-door and five-door versions. Some inconvenience is the hard suspension, but it is very durable. We can buy a vehicle in excellent technical condition already for about 10 thousand zlotys. For this amount, we can expect at least two airbags and facilities such as air conditioning or electric windows.
Fiat Seicento is a very neat car – even ideal for learning how to park in the city center. However, it is not a vehicle for those who like fast driving. The price of the model on the secondary market usually does not exceed 5 000 PLN. In case of any defects you should not worry about bankruptcy – spare parts are cheap, and the cost of possible repairs is usually adequate to the problem. For the mentioned amount we can find copies with electric windows and two airbags.
The first generation of the car Renault Twingo was presented back in 1993 and was extremely popular among drivers moving daily in large metropolitan areas. The second generation debuted in 2006 and was offered from 2007 to 2014.
The GT version features a powerful, 100-horsepower 1.2-liter gasoline engine – that’s a lot of power for a vehicle weighing less than a ton. Already for about 8 000 zloty we can buy quite neat copies, equipped with air conditioning, electric windows and tachometer – in the case of Renault Twingo, the presence of the latter element is not at all obvious.
The classic Beetle in a modern version may also turn out to be a good proposition for a first car for a newly minted driver. Version with 1.6 l and 100 horsepower petrol engine costs about 6 thousand zlotys
Volkswagen New Beetle had its premiere in 1997 and was sold until 2010. For the aforementioned amount of money, we can buy cars from the beginning of production, but we can still find cars in good technical condition with above-average equipment – air conditioning, electric windows or even built-in GPS navigation!
For about 10 thousand zlotys we can buy an Opel Corsa D from 2007-2009. This car is produced since 2006 in the German Eisenach and Spanish Zaragoza. Opel’s compact model offers above-average maneuverability, which will certainly appreciate the fresh drivers moving around the city.
The cars with petrol engines of 1.3 liter capacity and 80 horsepower are perceived as being among the less prone to faults. For up to 10 thousand zlotys you can buy a car with working air conditioning, electric windows, at least two airbags or even cruise control.
Another model suitable for new drivers is the Mini Cooper, equipped with a gasoline engine with a capacity of 1.6 liters and a power of about 115 horsepower. Produced since 2000, the car is the successor to the iconic Mini Morris, shining triumphs in the UK. Despite the fact that Mini Cooper is already produced by BMW, it still has that something that attracted the British for decades. For about 10-15 thousand zlotys you can find very well maintained cars equipped with several airbags, electric windows and air conditioning.
In summary, the ideal car for a young driver is a car:
Choosing the first car is a decision that can significantly affect the attitude of a young driver to driving. Therefore, it is extremely important that it was well thought out, and above all consulted with someone more experienced. Remember not to be guided by fashion, but by safety and functionality.
