First car for a new driver
What is a good first car for a new driver? Answer six questions about the budget, who pays, the insurance and where they will drive, and see which kind of car fits best, with what to look for and what to watch out for.
Six quick questions
Young drivers pay the most for insurance. It varies a lot by car, driver and province.
Answer any of the questions above and your result appears here. You can skip ones that do not matter to you.
Keep going with Uobo
Uobo is your personal car agent. Text it what you need and it does the research and the checks, asks dealerships about availability, condition and price for you, and helps you decide. This is the text you would send:
You can edit this text before you send it.
On a computer? Text (289) 819-4586 from your phone and paste what you copied. Standard message rates apply. Reply STOP any time to stop.
How it works
Each answer gives points to the kinds of car it favours. The page adds them up, ranks the options and tells you which answers pointed that way. The rule is simple and visible: nothing is hidden.
The result is a type of car, not a model. Take it to the shopping stage with a budget and a short list, and check the insurance cost on the exact car before you buy.
Your privacy comes first. Your answers stay on this device. You can text Uobo your result if you want help finding cars.
What this does not cover
- It is a starting point based on general rules of thumb. Insurance for young drivers varies a lot by car, driver and province, so get quotes.
- Older cars may lack modern safety features. Look for electronic stability control, side airbags and good crash-test results, and have any used car inspected.
- It cannot judge a particular car. Check its history report, recalls and condition. Use the recall checker and the used car inspection checklist for that.
Common questions
What is the best first car for a new driver?
Usually a reliable, modest car with good safety features that is cheap to insure and repair. A few-year-old compact with stability control and a good crash-test record is a popular choice.
How much should I spend on a first car?
Enough for a safe, reliable car, with money kept back for insurance, repairs and good tires. Insurance for new drivers is often the biggest ongoing cost, so budget for it before you choose the car.
Is it better to buy a new driver a new or used car?
Most families choose used, since new drivers have more minor accidents and new cars lose value fastest. A late-model used car with modern safety features is often the best balance.
Does the car affect insurance for a young driver?
Yes, a lot. Powerful and expensive cars cost more to insure. Get an insurance quote for the exact car, and ask whether things like a driver-training course or a clean record lower the price.