[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Sociable

OK Hands up all who like me are sure they would probably struggle to re-pass the test now given all the bad habits picked up over the years.

I'd certainly struggle, the accelerating to 95 in 3rd to pull on to the A10 would probably be a good start.

Mrs H had to take her test when she moved over from the states, she had been driving here on her US licence for 2 years (the maximum) before hand. Seemed a little ironic to me that when she took her first test, she drove to the test centre, put L plates on toook a test, failed, took them off and drove home again.

She failed as her driving was too aggressive, she decided to accelerate out of a dangerous situation on a roundabout (in a 175bhp Saab 93) rather than stand on the brakes and end up at a standstill on a busy roundabout. In her opionion the instructor, an retired instructor 65+, wearing a 3 piece suit and bow tie, brought back due to a lack of instructors was looking to fail her from the moment he heard her accent and saw her american licence.

Originally Posted by Scrubbs

I'll just put in my tuppenceworth

when my brats passed their test I rang up an insurance company and asked what was the best/cheapest car to buy and they said, under 1000cc and british is the cheapest to insure.so I got a fiesta

The other thing about taking lessons, don't be afraid to sit in your parents car pretending to drive, (with the engine switched off of course)
And get someone to tell you left turn, traffic lights etc it is good practice

making the engine noise is optional

Remember British can often mean what is percieved to be foreign. Nissan, Toyota etc all make lots of cars over here. The current Fiesta is made in Spain, the Focus in Germany.

As has already been said, newer cars can be cheaper to insure, but often need insuring fully comp. Have a look at the policy excess you pay for a own fault claim. See how far you are willing to ramp that up and the change in premium. Often taking it to about £350 will knock about 20% off the premium, after that it seems diminishing returns kick in. For me to up it to £500 would have meant a £3 reduction in my premium. Not worthwhile IMHO.

Modern cars have better safety features so are less likely to be involved in accidents ABS, etc. Are usually cheaper to repair and more reliable, useful if you need it for work.

Also think of the whole life cost. Buying a 6 yr old car may seem a saving, but when you are hit with the cost of 4 new tyres, an exhaust system, and higher servicing bills it may not look such a bargain. Citroen with their free insurance and 17.5% off list price are good value at the mo.

Most of the cost of insurance is for the 3rd party liability. A car insurer could pay our £Millio ns if you maim someone, in or outside your car and they require care for life. The average dent and scrape repairs are peanuts to them.

Originally Posted by Xaccers

D'oh! Meant 5mph under the limit

and get failed for hesitation.