Seventeen is a great age - slap bang in the middle of your GCSEs and A levels so there’s no exam pressures, you might even have a bit of extra cash from that part time job you’ve got. Best of all, you’re finally old enough to drive a car! Whoop!
Even before you’ve passed your test, you’ll be dreaming about your first car. But what are good first cars for a 17 year old? You’ve probably not had much experience of driving different car models - maybe just the driving instructor’s compact hatchback and your mum or dad’s car, if they’re brave enough to lend it to you!
Here’s our guide to models that we think are good first cars for a 17 year old - easy to handle, a doddle to park, low running costs, cheaper insurance costs and stylish too. Take a look and pick your favourite from cartime’s range of great value first cars:
Stylish SEAT Ibiza
There’s loads of room for you and your mates in the SEAT Ibiza and more than enough tech to impress them! Multifunction steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and sat nav (on some models) make every drive more interesting. Voice control lets you make the most of these features while safely staying up-to-date with all of the gossip, thanks to Bluetooth and a multimedia interface. Insurance class as low as 2 or 3 means the Ibiza is one of the cheapest cars to insure.
Find your used SEAT Ibiza today!
Versatile VW Polo
Volkswagens are well-known for good looks and reliability, so why wouldn’t you want one as your first car? The Volkswagen Polo is every new driver’s dream motor. This sporty supermini comes with lots of driver assistance features too, such as Front Assist and City Emergency Braking that help you to avoid hazards on the road - you can never be too careful. Wrap all this up with a cool infotainment system and we think you’ve got one of the perfectly good first cars for a 17 year old.
Vibrant Vauxhall Corsa
A choice of 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre engine sizes make a used Vauxhall Corsa equally at home in town or on the motorway - perfect for nights out with friends or the daily trek to college. Its low running costs (over 51mpg), easy handling and reliability makes it a popular choice with driving instructors as well as definite on the list of good first cars for a 17 year old. Alloy wheels, DAB digital radio, privacy glass and limited edition trim on some models mean that you’ll always have a queue of friends waiting for a lift.
Find your used Vauxhall Corsa today!
Fab Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s best selling car of all time, so why not try it out? Thanks to its nippy size and useful gadgets like Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Lane Departure Warning System and Electronic Traction Control, it has great handling, which is always a bonus when you’re new to the roads. Electric power folding wing mirrors and heated Quickclear windscreen give you fantastic all-round vision whenever you need it. Allowing you to see and be seen in this smartest of hatchbacks.
Find your used Ford Fiesta today!
Hot Hyundai i10
Although it’s compact, the Hyundai i10 only comes in a 5-door option, making it ever so practical as well as easy to drive. Its rear spoiler, body coloured handles and body coloured bumpers make it good to look at too. Excellent fuel economy of above 57 mpg (combined) and an insurance class of around 6 will give you a car that’s cheap to run too. Throw in air con and cruise control and wherever you’re going, you’ll surely arrived chilled out and ready for anything.
Find your used Hyundai i10 today!
Funky Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 may look small but it’s big on fun! Its curvy shape and selection of vibrant interior and exterior colour combos makes it a car that will certainly catch the eye. With fuel efficiency of up to 55 mpg (combined) and an insurance class no higher than 15, it’s cheap to run compared to bigger cars, thanks to a fuel-saving stop/start feature that cuts the engine when waiting at lights or junctions. Meaning more cash for clothes, movies and fun - all signs of really good first cars for a 17 year old!
Find your used Fiat 500 today!
These are just six of a huge range of suitable first cars. So, what’s stopping you? Pass those driving tests and get yourself on the road so you can enjoy your own car. If you’re still not sure which are the good first cars for a 17 year old, come and visit your nearest cartime showroom in Bury or Rochdale for a closer look. You can even book a test drive or reserve a car online by simply clicking through to the car details.
We can’t wait to meet you!