Small cars for learner drivers?

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Jaxson

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#319326 14-Apr-2025 09:34

Hi,

Considering a second small car as the kids near drivers license age.
Thinking Suzuki Swift, Mazda 2/Demio etc and probably around that $5k mark, so say 2007 - 2011 likely.

I'll kit out with a reversing camera/large screen if not there already but the main thing for me is viewing angles as a driver.
A family member has a new Kia Picanto and that's excellent - it that really helps with the spatial awareness and parallel parking etc when starting out.

What car worked well for this, which were disappointing etc?
Any gotcha like high insurance for Toyota Aquas apparently due to being easy to steal...

Just wondering if anyone has had experiences they'd like to share in this space.

Thanks.

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#3363857 14-Apr-2025 09:44

Demios are on that high insurance list too!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/132874756/driving-a-demio-your-insurance-excess-may-be-about-to-jump-1200

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Dingbatt

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#3363858 14-Apr-2025 09:55

Both our sons learned to drive in a 2005 Suzuki Swift. A simple car with good visibility and modest power. We subsequently sold it to family friends who have taught both their daughters to drive in it.

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CYaBro

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#3363864 14-Apr-2025 10:13

Honda Jazz perhaps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u74OFUj99S4

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Dulouz

874 posts

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#3363871 14-Apr-2025 10:34

My daughter learnt in our old Nissan Leaf (2015) - assuming they don't need to drive too much KM in a day and have access to charging it is a good cheap option.

Amanon

scuwp

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#3363880 14-Apr-2025 11:40

Just been through this.

Drove a whole range of cars with my teenager and they ended up always gravitating to a Mazda 2. We went with the NZ new sport model so it's got a bit more get-up-and-go with the 1500cc motor and 4 speed auto, and falls within your budget and year expectations. Looks smart too with the extra body molds and mag wheels (importaint for some teenagers). Upgrading the console to a touch screen with a reversing camera looks pretty straightforward. Otherwise simple to run and maintain.

Feels more solid on the road than the similar aged Swifts and slightly better safety rating for occupants. Drove a few Hyundai i20's and Honda's but they were quickly discounted. Can't stand CVT vehicles so that ruled out Demio's and Swifts anyway. The mechanic I used also warned me off that era of Swifts.

Had no issues with insuring it, other than the exorbitant premiums for learner drivers, we checked beforehand and the only 'blacklisted' cars were Aqua's and RunX's. Suggest to shop around.

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maoriboy

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#3363883 14-Apr-2025 11:55

We got my oldest son a Toyota Corolla, 2008 I believe. Very reliable and super easy to learn in. He recently upgraded to a bigger car and the Toyota has gone to the youngest son, who used it to practice his driving and recently passed his restricted first time with 100% (proud dad moment!).

ben28

189 posts

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#3363893 14-Apr-2025 13:03

You may wish to consider including safety in your considerations. Buy the safest car you can afford. An older model may lack some airbags or other safety features. Also, NZ new cars of the same year may have more safety features than a Jap import

Jaxson

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#3363949 14-Apr-2025 14:18

Suzuki Swift and Leaf had come across my radar.
Leaf may need to investigate external charging options. Have an Outlander PHEV currently so not against electric and price is right for 2nd hand. Just don't want to be stuck with these as they're ticking time bombs of ever reducing battery capacity range.

Demio/Mazda 2 if on the high insurance list then that's out, and much appreciate the heads up on this. I did like the look and the dash looked super simplistic with a speedo only sort of thing.
Looks like not an issue if a full immobiliser alarm is fitted, but if not then that's a hassle and cost to arrange.

Jazz / Fit an option too, just a little larger is all, but yes had seen that. Would say is level 2 on the list.
Kids would say no based on grandma looks lol.

Safety does come into it. And I to am not a fan of CVT gearboxes, although I realise they're more common now. In our case this will be around town, rarely used on the open road.

Toyota I'm a fan of but have not really liked the Yaris for some reason, especially the older styles I'd be looking at budget wise here.

Insurance
This feels like a valid separate topic. I might make a second post on that specifically...

tripper1000

1600 posts

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#3363962 14-Apr-2025 15:03

Leaf Pluses:

Cheap gas / Mum n Dad pay for the gas!

Easier than an automatic to drive.

Can't stray too far from home.

Auto-emergency braking in the later models.

10 Airbags in the higher trim specs.

Minuses:

RUC

Poor visibility (big-fat A pillars, big blind spots, infinity bonnet, high window sils etc).

Can't stray too far from home.

Arguments over who didn't plug it in.

Silent when hooning.

Bung

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#3363964 14-Apr-2025 15:09

If looking a Demio watch for driver legroom. Mosr reviews say ok but I've struck an import that had hadly any travel on front seat. JDM may be different.

richms

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#3363970 14-Apr-2025 15:17

I drove a jap import demio once that had no legroom and it turned out it was something that they do in Japan to make it not go back as far for the back seat people to not get crushed legs. not sure if it was a stop or different mounting holes but the owner of it had it sortred out by the mechanic when they were doing other things.

Richard rich.ms

Jaxson

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#3363987 14-Apr-2025 16:04

Demio appealed for size and visibility. Fairly upright seating position and very simplistic

As an aside, whichever car I opt for I'll likely replace the radio with a larger touchscreen.
Have had very good experiences with android stereos that incorporate a trim piece from Aliexpress.
Works very well with reversing cameras and makes the install appear modern and factory in nature.

tripper1000

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#3363990 14-Apr-2025 16:20

Don't rush to bling-up a car intended for driver tuition:

1) You want to reduce distractions not add them.

2) The car might not last long (stolen/totalled/not cool enough).

Jaxson

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#3363993 14-Apr-2025 16:43

tripper1000:

Don't rush to bling-up a car intended for driver tuition:

1) You want to reduce distractions not add them.

2) The car might not last long (stolen/totalled/not cool enough).

I hear you.
Aiming for a simple install to add a reversing camera for safety, and sharing only as found a nice way that could help with resale appeal.

Tinkerisk

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#3364088 14-Apr-2025 20:27

After driving the car myself for 5 years in the city, I ordered 2 more for my small office business. The freelancers/students and clients are always very enthusiastic and I have to be careful that they don't become car salesmen. A standard mains plug is all you need. 🤣

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