Best first car revealed by expert mechanics as compact hatchback with its own touchscreen – and costs less than £5,000
Plus, two other cheap and cheerful contenders
FRONT RUNNER Best first car revealed by expert mechanics as compact hatchback with its own touchscreen – and costs less than £5,000
THE best first car has been revealed by experts as a compact hatchback with its own touchscreen - for under £5,000.
Newly qualified drivers will likely be counting the pennies when it comes to their first car - in-part due to already high insurance costs.
2
Experts have recommended the Peugeot 108 as the perfect first car
Credit: Alamy
2
It can go from 0-62mph in 13.8 seconds and has a top speed of just under 100mph
Credit: Alamy
So the Peugeot 108 may well be the perfect option, according to YouTuber @MotorBodies.
Speaking to his followers, the car aficionado said: "I mean you need something cheap and affordable.
"This Peugeot 108 right here. That's the one."
The Peugeot 108 is ideal for those prioritising price over power - with its 1-litre engine producing just 72bhp.
It can go from 0-62mph in 13.8 seconds - with a top speed of just under 100mph.
@MotorBodies also recommended the Toyota Aygo or Kia Picanto - similarly small-engined vehicles that are cheap to both buy and run.
"These are all basically the same cars," the YouTuber added.
"These cars here are only a 1.0 litre so they are cheap on insurance and on fuel.
"And if you ever get in a ding then parts are really cheap to replace. Pick a car up like this for easily under £5k.
"In my opinion, this is the best first car to get."
The 10 cheap cars to buy and drive into London to beat the £21.50 a day T-Charge
Last year, Matt Watson, the Chief Content Officer at Carwow, an online marketplace for new and used cars, shared his top five starter cars for under £5,000.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: "Buying your first car is a rite of passage, but the difficulty in choosing your first car is that it has to do a little bit of everything.
"It needs to be in the lowest insurance group to have a chance of returning an affordable quote, while also being easy to drive, practical enough for your needs and cheap to run.
"Finding a car that's good value, safe, and not so desperately uncool that your friends insist on still taking the bus are also pretty important factors to consider.
"The good news is that there are lots of cars that can fit the bill, with a little bit of online research.
"There are great condition options for less than £5,000, making an affordable entry point to the world of car ownership."
Top of his list was the Vauxhall Corsa, which he said was "as unthreatening to a new driver as a kitten is to a mountain lion".
Matt pointed to a 2015 1.4-litre example with 70,920 miles on the clock for smack bang on the £5,000 budget.
Also among his recommendations were the Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio and Kia Picanto.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Huge carmaker ‘may sell iconic luxury motor brand' as sales dive and new CEO takes charge
The new CEO faces huge financial decisions as a result of President Trump's brutal trade tariffs ENGINE STUTTER Huge carmaker 'may sell iconic luxury motor brand' as sales dive and new CEO takes charge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE of the world's largest car manufacturers looks set to sell an iconic sports car brand as sales plummet. Discussions over the future of Maserati remain ongoing as industry giant Stellantis prepares to welcome its new CEO in the coming days. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Discussions over the future of Maserati remain ongoing Credit: Alamy 5 Stellantis could be forced to sell the luxury car brand Credit: Reuters 5 Last year, the number of Maserati units sold plunged from 26,600 to just 11,300 Credit: Alamy The French-Italian company could be forced to sell the luxury car brand on the back of poor sales over the past year. New CEO Antonio Filosa - who starts on Monday after being appointed last month - faces huge financial decisions as a result of President Trump's brutal trade tariffs. Stellantis - which owns 14 brands across the globe - was reported to have hired management consulting firm McKinsey and Co to review the situation. McKinsey was called in April this year to advise on struggling brands Maserati and Alfa Romeo, with both experiencing a dire 2024. Last year, the number of Maserati units sold plunged from 26,600 to just 11,300. Stellanis told Motor1: "McKinsey has been asked to provide its considerations regarding the recently announced U.S. tariffs for Alfa Romeo and Maserati." Trump's new legislation means tariffs of at least 25 percent on anything imported into the US. Maserati has no new model launches scheduled as it waits for a new business plan, with the last one having been put on hold by Stellantis in 2024. The plan is expected to be presented soon after Filosa starts his new role. But as things stand, it is understood that all options remain on the table for the world-renowned Italian brand. It came after the global firm pulled the plug on a £1.3billion investment in Maserati earlier this year. Plans for the hotly anticipated electric MC20 Folgore were also binned due to low demand. WHO ARE STELLANTIS? The EV, which translates to 'lightning' in Italian, was intended to be the brand's electric alternative to the stunning MC20 sports car. It promised a power output and performance characteristics similar to the existing V6-engined MC20. The Folgore was set to be one of six Maserati EVs set for launch over the next year or so. But Stellantis chief financial officer Doug Ostermann said they had pulled the plug on Maserati projects, claiming they wanted to review the pace in which sports car owners move over to EVs. He said: "We have to recognise the dynamics in that business, particularly in the Chinese market, and our expectations in terms of how quickly that luxury market would transition to electrification." What is Stellantis? Stellantis is the company behind iconic motor brands such as Fiat, Vauxhall and Peugot. The conglomerate, which is the second-largest maker of cars in Europe, owns 14 badges, including Chrysler, Citroen, Jeep and Maserati. The company itself is the product of a merger between Fiat-Chrysler and France's PSA, the maker of Peugeot and Citroen, in 2021. But the motoring giant has encountered increasingly stuttering financial success. And an initial manufacturing break at Stellantis has now been extended as bosses report a collapse in demand for electric cars. Other projects, including EV replacements for the Levante and Quattroporte models, are in danger of being cancelled too. The vehicles were set to be released in 2027 and 2028 respectively. It is understood the three models would have been Maserati's electric line-up as the firm looked to adapt to the EV revolution. Before he left the firm last year, Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares claimed the low sales at Maserati were due to advertising issues. He told Top Gear: "Maserati is in the red. The reason is marketing. "The Maserati brand is not clearly positioned and the storytelling is not how it should be. "The brand is not just about sports cars, it's about gran turismo, it's about quality of life, dolce vita and technology." 5 Former Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said the low sales at Maserati were due to advertising issues Credit: Alamy
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Kia Picanto review: why this charming city car deserves a comeback
The latest facelift has given the Picanto some bold styling, but it's still a charming little car | Kia This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Motoring writer Gareth Butterfield might be getting misty-eyed about the apparent end of the city car, but Kia's Picanto proves there's still magic in small, simple, petrol-powered motoring. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For reasons I'll never really understand, the city car is dying. We're an overpopulated society bearing the brunt of sweeping urbanisation but we've seemingly fallen out of love with small cars. What's that all about? And by small cars, I don't mean Ford Fiestas and Vauxhall Corsas, that's another tragic tale to tell for another day, I mean really small cars, like the Volkswagen Up, the Smart ForTwo, and the Peugeot 108. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They're the cars that gave the world cheap, frugal, easy personal transport in a crowded environment, and they're the cars that many of us first engaged a clutch in. The car I've been testing this week, then, the Kia Picanto, is part of a dying breed. I feel like I should be harvesting its DNA rather than taking it for a trip up the A38. But duty calls. In top GT-Line spec, the Picanto is surprisingly grown up and very well equipped | Kia And as much as it feels sad to be in what could be the last of the true city cars, I'm determined to stay chipper, because it's quite hard to feel sad when you're driving a Kia Picanto. Most models are powered by a peppy one-litre, three cylinder engine with 62bhp, or there's a fizzy 1.2-litre four cylinder, and both suit the car brilliantly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Don't get me wrong, chasing a 0-60 time below 15 seconds is a trifle pointless, but you could happily dust off the old cliché we always used to apply to city cars, and refer to it as "nippy". And then there's the way it drives. In a motoring landscape that's being blighted by heavy EVs, or complex hybrids, there's a refreshing sense of mechanical charm to the Picanto. The interior is roomier than you'd expect, and everything is easy to live with | Kia Stirring the manual gearstick and throwing it into a corner is borderline nostalgic, and always fun. Sure, it's not fast, but most of us have forgotten the joy of driving a slow car in a spirited manner and reaping the rewards of feeling every response. The Picanto takes a B-road jaunt in its stride. It's a delight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Of course, it's at its best in the city, as you'd imagine, and you'll be rewarded for your frugal choice of car with decent MPG, low emissions, and easy parking. But it's also remarkably civilised and grown-up inside, too. I tested a high-spec GT-Line S, which has more gadgets than a city car strictly should, but you've got all the safety kit you'd need in the urban sprawl, and some useful kit for helping long journeys pass by with minimal effort. All versions get a rather basic but decent enough touch-screen display | Kia Even basic versions, which arguably make more sense, get an eight-inch touchscreen as standard, as well as a decent digital instrument panel. There's also aircon and all-round electric windows, and you're only one trim level away from the joys of heated front seats and steering wheel, auto aircon, keyless go and wireless phone charging. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Price up a basic "2", and your starting point is around £16,000. A few years ago we'd baulk at that for a tiny car, but I'm afraid it's par for the course now. The top models can easily knock on the door of £20,000 and even I'd admit that's getting a bit silly, but you'd be surprised at how well equipped they are. And there aren't many premium small cars to choose from these days, if you still long for internal combustion. The rear seats are pretty roomy for a city car, and the boot is good too | Kia Kias still get a seven-year warranty, and given the scarcity of options in this segment, I'd hope the residuals would be fairly robust too. I park some seriously nice cars outside my house from time to time, but during my week in a Picanto my neighbour made a point of crossing the road to ask me all about it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He's unashamedly disinterested in cars generally, but the sight of a distinctive little city runabout piqued his interest. I'd like to think this served as an indication that there's life in city cars yet. I certainly hope so, because the Picanto was an absolute joy to live with. Selling your car? Here's the fastest way to get cash – and how it compares to rivals Thinking of selling your car this summer? It all starts with a valuation – and you can get one in under a minute with WeBuyAnyCar. With over 500 branches across the UK and same-day payment available, it's one of the quickest ways to find out what your vehicle is worth and get the cash if you're ready to sell. Used car prices have stayed surprisingly strong, especially for economical hatchbacks and SUVs. Whether you're upgrading for road trips or switching to a hybrid, a fast online quote can give you a solid starting point – even if you're still weighing up your options.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Map reveals UK's 10 most stressful junctions including a high-accident intersection & infamous ‘Magic Roundabout'
Top ranked junction takes on some 10,000 vehicles every hour on average Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) The UK's most stressful junctions have been ranked and rated - each infamous for causing numerous problems for motorists. Scrap Car Comparison recently surveyed 1,000 UK drivers and asked them to rank road layouts based on feelings of confusion, anxiety, fear and confidence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 London's Hanger Lane Gyratory tops the list as the UK's most stressful junction, with its complex layout and high accident rate Credit: Alamy 3 Swindon's Magic Roundabout is a multi-mini roundabout system that confuses many but surprisingly boasts a strong safety record Credit: Getty 3 Drivers can navigate the Magic Roundabout's central island in an anticlockwise direction, adding to its unique complexity Credit: Alamy These responses were then used to build a unique 'Stress Score' out of 100 - helping reveal the road layouts that most vehicle owners would rather avoid. London's mind-boggling Hanger Lane Gyratory came on top as the most stressful to navigate. The gyratory - which is essentially a large, circular intersection - is located in the north of the Ealing borough in West London and serves as a major junction where the A40 (Western Avenue) and the A406 (North Circular Road) intersect, with the A40 passing underneath in a tunnel. It also connects to Ealing Road towards Wembley. Outrageously complex, the confusing layout boasts a high accident rate and often causes a bottleneck for traffic At peak times, it's known to take on some 10,000 vehicles per hour - making it not only very busy but also quite intimidating. The infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon followed closely behind in second place. A multi-mini roundabout system, the roundabout - which gets its name from the popular British children's television show, "The Magic Roundabout" - is made up of five mini roundabouts arranged in a circle around a central island. Though the mini roundabouts are all driven in a standard clockwise movement, it is possible to navigate the central island in an anticlockwise direction. But despite being wildly confusing, the Magic Roundabout boasts a surprisingly good safety record - with only 14 serious accidents and approximately 100 minor incidents over the last 25 years. Chilling moment thieves steal car with wireless device in seconds as new doc reveals how Brit motors end up in Lithuania UK's top 10 most stressful junctions Hanger Lane Gyratory - London (Stress Score: 44/100) Magic Roundabout - Swindon (Stress Score: 42/100) Cromer Road & Boundary Road Junction - Norwich (Stress Score: 40/100) The Crooked Billet Interchange - Waltham Forest (Stress Score: 38/100) Ynysforgan Roundabout - Swansea (Stress Score: 38/100) Black Cat Roundabout - Bedfordshire (Stress Score: 38/100) Larne Road Roundabout - Ballymena (Stress Score: 36/100) Shalesmoor & Netherthorpe Road Roundabout - Sheffield (Stress Score: 36/100) Springwell Road & Queen Alexandra Road Junction - Sunderland (Stress Score: 35/100) Sheriffhall Roundabout - Edinburgh (Stress Score: 35/100) TRAVELLING PAINS Scrap Car Comparison not only ranked the most stressful junctions in the UK but also created a global leaderboard, ranking some of the world's most anxiety-inducing intersections. For globe-trotting drivers, it might be best to avoid the Meskel Square Roundabout in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which picked up a Stress Score of 56 out of100. Meskel Square lacks basic road markings and formal traffic control, relying instead on driver intuition… and honking. Despite appearances, it's functional for locals but is known for being deeply unnerving for outsiders. The Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange in Los Angeles, a towering 8-level highway structure, came in close behind in second place with a score of 51/100. This score was matched by Paris' Arc de Triomphe roundabout, known for its 12 converging avenues and reversed right-of-way rules. Indeed, Europe features heavily in the rankings - with five of the top ten most stressful junctions located across the continent - with Paris, Rome, Madrid and London all making the list. Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said: 'Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. 'Junctions often combine high traffic volumes, poor signage and confusing layouts, making preparation essential. 'Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. 'Once you're behind the wheel, try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. 'If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a breath and don't let other road users rush you - it's perfectly okay to go at your own pace. 'Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. 'And if you're really nervous, consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. 'A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.'
