Any freshly baked eighteen-year-old driver would consider the first car to be the most successful gift. How to choose the right model for those just starting out on the road?

There is nothing more beautiful than to get your first car together with a public roadworthiness certificate. What vehicles do eighteen-year-olds dream about? Of course, beautiful, fast and modern. Ideally, it should be a sporty convertible or an awe-inspiring, powerful SUV.

What car for your first car?

Unfortunately, even though cars have long since ceased to be luxury goods, only a few young drivers can expect four wheels straight from the showroom as a gift.

Experts advise to choose rather a used car for the first car. A car that is easy to drive and operate, cheap to repair and with little appetite for fuel – after all, young people usually have a limited budget. But the car should also be safe. This is at least what the parents of the 18-year-old, who has been given a car gift, would like.

The basic dilemmas

Of course, we’re talking about a car with a gasoline engine that won’t cause any trouble to the car’s rookie and will be economical. The body will also be much cheaper if an inexperienced driver happens to scratch the body while parking. As a last resort, you can completely resign from repairing the body in case of an old car.

When deciding to buy the first car for our child, it is also worth listening to the advice of the mechanics. They advise against top-of-the-range models, with powerful engines and complicated technical solutions.

Although the odometer in such an aftermarket car may show a solid number, the large size and weight of the car combined with a powerful engine is often too big a challenge for drivers with a fresh license in their pocket.

A car ready to drive

But let’s go back to those 18-year-olds who have wealthy parents or godparents. What speaks for a brand-new and scented car from the living room? It’s simple – the car breaks down less often and doesn’t require frequent, usually expensive repairs. Just pour fuel and drive, and the money for mandatory maintenance “pull” from the family.
The benefit of a new car is also safety. Modern systems help novice drivers, and airbags will definitely start in case of an accident.

Primary market

• Fiat Panda

A panda with a 1.2 engine can be bought for 31 400 PLN. The car in Fresh version is quite well equipped, it only lacks air conditioning.

• Skoda Citygo

The cheapest offer is a three-door Citygo model. The gift means an expense of 35.5 thousand, PLN. The car has a litre engine and Spartan equipment, but it will surely be a lot of fun to drive.

• Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is also a car you might like. A car with a litre petrol engine and 69 horses costs only 34 700 PLN. The same model, but with a factory-fitted gas installation, we can have for 39 200 PLN. The Korean kid has front and side airbags, ABS system, central locking, alarm and on-board computer.

• Ford Ka

The well-deserved interest of customers continues to be enjoyed by Ford Ka. 30 000 PLN is enough for this still good-looking car. This is how much the Trend version of the car costs, equipped with ABS, EBA, EBD, front and side airbags, immobiliser, and even halogenated. Under the bonnet, Ka hides a 1.2 engine with 69 hp power.

Secondary market

• Fiat Punto

For as little as PLN 2-3 thousand you can find a 1994 Fiat Punto – with a 1.2 petrol engine and low mileage. However, it is better to pay a little more (about PLN 9 thousand) and buy a much newer Fiat, e.g. from 2004. Additions? Nice look and air conditioning.

• Opel Corsa

Those who prefer German solidity can think about a second hand corsage. With about 12 thousand PLN, you can afford a 2005 car with air conditioning and low mileage. Dynamic and very economical 1.2 engine will provide great driving comfort with quite low combustion.

• Honda Civic

Approximately PLN 15 thousand must be prepared for one of the most reliable cars on the aftermarket. Honda is famous primarily for its excellent engines and suspension. The Civic is bigger than the two previous proposals, so it is more comfortable and safer.

• Volkswagen Golf

Or the immortal German hit? A well-maintained Golf with a 1.6 litre engine seems to be a reasonable purchase. It will ride for a long time, even with a considerable mileage. It has everything a modern driver needs, including air conditioning.

• Citroen C1 or Peugeot 107

For a Citroen C1 with a three-cylinder unit, a good uncle of the eighteen-year-old will pay about PLN 7,000 on the secondary market. The 68-horsepower engine, built in cooperation with Toyota and Peugeot, provides good performance. But something for something: the interior of the C1 looks bad. Slightly more expensive are the C1 twins, the Peugeot 107.

• Peugeot 206

Finally, we left one of the most popular models on the used car market. It is of course (produced in a dizzying number of copies, as evidenced by the number of these cars) peugeot 206.

The car can be bought for 8-9 thousand already. It is quite easy to find a car equipped with a solid, petrol engine 1.4 with reasonable mileage. Like most “Frenchmen” available on the market, it offers airbags, immobiliser, ABS, power steering and air conditioning.

In the case of the 206th, it is also worth considering buying diesel. The engines of this brand are considered to be one of the best on the market and can drive 300-400 thousand kilometers without any major overhaul.