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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2016 12:50:56 GMT
We are still agonising about what to do with reference to a car for my son when learning to drive. He'll be 17 soon ( well, early in the new year anyway ) and is very keen to start learning. We've been through all this before elsewhere and I apologise for resurrecting it here, but we have to come to some sort of decision eventually.
The bottom line is either we change his Mum's car for something more learner friendly, or get him one of his own. She'd quite like a new car but has enjoyed her Qashqai and might not take well to anything too much smaller ( although she says she doesn't really mind )
I seem to remember that you ( Espada ) bought a Captur for a similar purpose? That might indeed be a good compromise being a wee bit bigger than the default small learner hatch.
Only thing putting me off buying him his own car, is that I'm not sure it'll be practical for him to keep it after he passes as he'll presumably still be at college and he hopes, eventually on to university. But having had your "own" car I think it'd be tough to give it up no matter how ( financially) impractical that might be.
So, although the decision isn't finally made yet, let's leave on one side the option of him having his own for now, ( although that might well still happen ) and look at what we could change "her" car to that would be learner friendly, but still be a suitable replacement for her current car.
I quite like the idea of a Captur ( if only it wasn't a Renault ) but that's just most certainly because of my, now long past, bad experience with that brand.
Any other suggestions? Probably looking at 1.2 engines at the biggest but also quite possibly smaller.
Budget flexible ( ish ) but would prefer not to have to sell the family silver to buy one.
Feel free to lob in tangential suggestions !
Thanks !
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Post by bromptonaut on Sept 17, 2016 13:03:15 GMT
Perhaps I should remember but why not stick with the squashy? Old enough for it not to matter if he dings it but should still be insurable for learner's 'hours building'.
Miss B did hers in my Xantia, including pretty well all the driving on a week's holiday on the Isle of Lewis. Single track roads, backing up into passing places etc nicely honed her handling skills for the test.
Most of our family holidays acquire some phrase that becomes a 'mot de vacances'. On that trip it was her saying 'bagsiness driving'.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 17, 2016 13:14:54 GMT
You get an awful lot of driving instructor time - much of which you'll need anyway - for the price of a car and teenage insurance. Why buy a car at all?
Sorry - missed the bit about leaving the buy option aside for now. Bromp is probably right about the Qashqai - medium size and moderate power - as an experience builder.
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sooty
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Post by sooty on Sept 17, 2016 13:35:44 GMT
I take it you are planning on teaching him to drive yourselves? If so i don't see the quashqai as a bad choice.
If not but you want him to have access to a car but only in the short term, as you suggest he can't afford it whilst studying further, then there doesn't seem much point getting a car for him or change one for him when he's away or can't afford shortly.
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 17, 2016 14:19:23 GMT
I assume you wont be teaching him to drive so he will be taking lessons in a smaller driving school car. At the same time let him drive the Squashy as a an experience builder. You keep inferring its not learner friendly, whereas nothing could be further from the truth.
Then after he has passed his test do you decide on what car for him.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2016 14:20:39 GMT
I'd go with lessons and using your cars after passing while still in further education. By the time he graduates Uni he'll be free of the two year probation period.
No chance of using the company überwagon to practice? I know it's an auto but if he can place, park and manoeuvre one of those around, a smaller car with a gearstick should be relatively easy.
As an aside, would now be the time to buy shares in door mirror manufacturers?
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Post by tyrednexited on Sept 17, 2016 14:49:29 GMT
Go with lessons, as they'll teach him to pass the test, whereas you may teach him to drive. Prior to the test, we 'topped up' his driving with provisional driver insurance as a separate cover on SWMBO's car (not prohibitive by the month), letting him drive us for outings. Didn't bother with a car (or even putting him on the insurance) once he'd passed, as Uni beckoned, and in most cases a car isn't a good idea then. Now, having finished his course, he has, as detailed elsewhere, inherited SWMBO's Fiesta.
(For monthly learner cover, see provisional marmalade and others - can't remember which I used as not at home at the moment)
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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2016 16:10:38 GMT
Perhaps I should remember but why not stick with the squashy? Old enough for it not to matter if he dings it but should still be insurable for learner's 'hours building'. Miss B did hers in my Xantia, including pretty well all the driving on a week's holiday on the Isle of Lewis. Single track roads, backing up into passing places etc nicely honed her handling skills for the test. Most of our family holidays acquire some phrase that becomes a 'mot de vacances'. On that trip it was her saying 'bagsiness driving'. "Dings it" ? He is the son of a driving God, the grandson of a driving God, the great-grandson of a driving God. We do not "ding" cars. He knows that. Can't mitigate for the distaff side of course... 😉
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2016 16:35:52 GMT
Perhaps you should simply buy an extra car. I cannot imagine him using his Mother's is going to work out well, imagine the arguments about who scratched what.
I also understand the reluctance for him to get involved in his own car.
What about a "pool" car?
Perhaps there is a cheaper, older car that would in any case be useful and that you wouldn't mind owning- a Uno for hauling dirty dogs and bikes for example. For visitors, son when he needs, etc. etc.
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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2016 17:21:09 GMT
Thank you ! I think you have just come up with the old Defender justification !
Oh yes, oh yes indeedy...
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 17, 2016 17:26:49 GMT
... We do not "ding" cars. I suppose a falling mirror is more a combination of tinkle and clatter.
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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2016 17:28:11 GMT
I'm referring to the male line...
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 17, 2016 17:36:48 GMT
I know that but you didn't expect me not to try, did you? 😈
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Post by Hofmeister on Sept 17, 2016 17:42:30 GMT
"Dings it" ? He is the son of a driving God, the grandson of a driving God, the great-grandson of a driving God. We do not "ding" cars. He knows that. Can't mitigate for the distaff side of course... 😉 I know a certain Mr M B Wheel who might be prepared to argue that point.
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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2016 20:46:59 GMT
Badly placed kerbstone that was. Must catch people out daily. Angle all wrong. Should complain really.
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