What a nightmare. I have to first... teach a teenager to drive – and second... help her find a brand new car for under £10,000. Can you imagine the horror? And no – she refuses to consider the 'usual' stuff. That means goodbye to the fantastic Fiesta, the capable Corsa, and the potent Polo. And nothing French or Italian either, because she hated learning languages at school. Farewell Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat too. Grrr! That leaves us with the Chevrolet Spark 1.0+ 5dr, which only costs £8,475. This five-door run-around is a sensible choice as it is cheap to run. In fact, this mainstream alternative averages 55.4mpg, returns 67.3mpg on the extra-urban cycle, and can be taxed annually for £30. It has a five year warranty too. These low running costs ensure this fussy child can afford to stay at college.
The Chevrolet Spark 1.0+ 5dr is the replacement to the Matiz. Fortunately, it is light years ahead of its predecessor which – even in its day - was one of my least favoured cars. Furthermore, the Spark's steering is light for practising three point turns, visibility is excellent, and the ride is comfortable for the class. Even at motorway speeds life is fairly pleasant, although there is plenty of cabin noise. But so what? Learners cannot drive on motorway anyway. This entry-level Spark has a few toys too. These include its: immobiliser, twin air-bags, power steering, and split/fold seats. This unconventional choice also performed reasonably during safety tests. Just as well, learners love parking in trees.
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