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buying advice
Learning to drive? 3 great first cars that will leave you change from €10k
How to buy a great learner motor.
STARTING OUT WITH your first car and learning to drive shouldn’t be a daunting process.
It can be made that bit easier by choosing a suitable car that is not only safe and easy to drive but one that you will be confident using.
Practically speaking, you’ll be limited as to what you may be able to get insurance on initially, so looking to smaller engine sizes and cars that aren’t of high value is best.
Then, unless you need an automatic, it’s best to look at manual transmissions if that’s the category you plan on taking for your test.
Here are three popular models that tick a number of the right boxes.
1. Ford Fiesta (2008-2018)
The Fiesta has consistently been one of the most popular cars sold in Ireland over its model cycle and for a good reason. Not only does it feature a five-star Euro NCAP rating for safety, but there is a wide choice available for sale in the used market.
It remains one of the best handling cars and features good driving position with plenty of visibility. Additionally, it isn’t a big car, so getting it into parking spaces shouldn’t be a struggle.
A choice of several small capacity engines should result in palatable insurance premiums also.
2. Toyota Yaris (2006-2011)
If you’re looking for a safe bet when it comes to buying a used car, the Toyota Yaris certain ranks as one of the better ones.
This second-generation model works best in five-door guise with the 1.0-litre petrol engine. Like the Fiesta, it’s a compact car, so its manoeuvrable and the all-round visibility isn’t bad. The centrally-mounted instrument cluster isn’t in your direct line of sight but is large and easy to read at a glance.
3. Hyundai i10 (2014 onwards)
If you want to step down a category to a smaller city car, the one model that stands out above the rest is the Hyundai i10.
The second-generation model came on sale in 2014, and it remains one of the class leaders. Not only is it compact, but it’s fun to drive, easy to park and feels nippy around town. Its interior build quality is good, and with a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine, it should be insurance-friendly too.
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