Things may be different in Holland mate. Over here, insurance is very expensive. Also, judging by those cars, I'm sure the required spec was to "Get me from A-to-B" I'm sure he doesnt want place B to be his grave.
If I was jack I would choose the Corsa. Even if it sux it's still in better condition than the Fiesta you posted because the corsa has driven less miles than the fiesta.
Forget about the purchase price of the car that'll soon become insignificant if your budget is around a £1000 there's no point in trying to get a car take driving lessons/tests and pay for insurance. Is your mum getting a new small, low insurance group car anyway? If so do you really need your own car?
Getting insured as a named driver on a car that you drive occasionally would be a lot cheaper, I now 'only' add £600 onto the Focus's insurance whereas the insurance quotes for it were £2500-4000. Some insurers off discounts to clean named drivers when they take out their first policy even if you don't have a conventional no claims bonus (I know Tesco do). I would strongly advise against getting a car and being a named driver on it though as if the insurance company can prove you're the main user your policy will be invalidated if you claim.
It's the same insurance group as the 325 estate (13) and why would you choose 160 bhp over 5000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 bhp?
Dutch insurance is basically done off the value of the car from what I understand which is why I've got a Dutch mate who can insure an MGB as his first car for much less than it costs me to be a named driver on the Focus, which I'm not at all jealous of
I drive the Mk5 Fiesta Zetec 1.25 (first car with 70k miles) and it really is a brilliantly nippy little car. However, make sure you get the 16v 1.25 Zetec and NOT the 8v 1.3 Endura, as they're totally different beasts.
Also, the insurance is NOT cheap. Third party in my name at 17 was £2000, now I'm 18 it's the same price (one year no claims) for fully comp. Can't say I've calculated my fuel economy but it's pretty average I think.
You would be surprised. Insurance groups range from 1A (which is for like small cars) to insurance group 20 (which are cars like ferraris, evo's etc.)
The insurance group for a impreza WRX STI (00-05) is 20. Even for the Impreza GX, its 12-14.
In the UK, insurance is terrible. Its alot for new drivers to insure little cars like the peugoet 106, yet in the US, you can all drive about in mustangs, accords etc. Its not fair!
I have to say I think the US does the car insurance thing better than us, as you don't have to have it there. I think the "You break it, you bought it" way of doing things is better.
"Don't crash your car and you don't have to pay anything. Break it and you have to pay for repairs." Sounds fair enough to me.
Buy a 1.4-1.6 Corsa SRI or GSI, both the same apart from the SRI has different interior from all the rest of the models, if possible get one what has a 2 ltr redtop engine in what is still put down as say a 1.6(the original engine) and there you have yourself a cheap and quick little car, the insurance on a 1.4 SRI is only £950 for a 17 year old, I spent ages trying to find the best insurance deal a few weeks ago and that is the cheapest I can find. Thats what I will be getting as their alright cars, or if you want something else what isnt a corsa or a fiesta, look for something like a F reg Swift GTI, they are ok and are loved by some and not by others, well it is your decision mate, they are just my views
