I have been a voyeur, not a stalker

[Johnny]

Welcome! Is the E24 granitsilber? I ask because it looks the same colour as my old E31 (850i). Lovely car (the E24, not the E31 which was an unreliable slug). I hadn't noticed the B pillar treatment before the close-up photo above; it reminds me of the C pillars of the Mercedes 450SLC if you are old enough to remember those.

Re cars for kids, we bought a 2011 VW Polo 1.2 SE for my son back in 2015 and we are all still using it - it's the most reliable car I have ever owned and the cheapest to run, but also surprisingly fun to drive and fast enough for most roads. Not sure it has electric rear windows in the back, but your son won't care if he is driving it. We fitted a replacement VW audio unit with Bluetooth (the latest technology at the time) so that he could listen to his phone. I suggest you get something with CarPlay so that he can use the navigation app on his phone, as kids these days have no sense of direction..

The e24 is dolphin grey (BMW-delphin-metallic) as correctly suggested by @Jobbo . Always fancied a 850i, but the running costs put me off.

I do remember the 450SLC - something quite special about those cars. Like them too - in fact there aren’t too many old BMWs and Mercs I’m not a fan of.

The Polo is on our list. Though hadn’t considered the 1.2 as thought it may be a bit too slow. Will try to view one over the next week or so. I suspect the SE has electric windows in the back. The S will have manual.

[dinny_g]

The Polo is on our list. Though hadn’t considered the 1.2 as thought it may be a bit too slow. Will try to view one over the next week or so. I suspect the SE has electric windows in the back. The S will have manual.

Polo's number 1 on our list too - Strictly Speaking, it will be my partners car with our son driving from time to time (Not Insurance Fronting, honestly). My sister's had one, my Mum's got one (both 1.2's) and they haven't put a foot wrong really.

[IanF]

I have bought two Polos for two kids now, they’re great little cars.. insurance makes them very appealing and they have a massive boot so are surprisingly practical

[mik]

I have bought two Polos for two kids now,

You’ll have enough for a packet soon.

[IanF]

I have bought two Polos for two kids now,

You’ll have enough for a packet soon.

Kids already cost a packet!

[Johnny]

Finally found a car for my son - after viewing some shockers, including claims of FSH on a particular vehicle that hadn't had so much of an oil change for over 30k miles.

Are we going to play “can you guess what it is”, or should I just tell ya?

[mik]

Finally found a car for my son - after viewing some shockers, including claims of FSH on a particular vehicle that hadn't had so much of an oil change for over 30k miles.

Are we going to play “can you guess what it is”, or should I just tell ya?

I vote "tell us"

[jamcg]

Is it a polo

[Mito Man]

Finally found a car for my son - after viewing some shockers, including claims of FSH on a particular vehicle that hadn't had so much of an oil change for over 30k miles.

Are we going to play “can you guess what it is”, or should I just tell ya?

I vote "tell us"

Not up for a bit of edging?

[Johnny]

Not exactly a V12 manual, so I may as well tell.
Mk VI Golf 1.4TSi SE. Found and bought just in time for his 18th.

[Jobbo]

Almost one of the forum default choices of F40 and Golf TDi

[DeskJockey]

That's a nice first car!

[Johnny]

My driveway is no longer BMW only. The sacrifices I’ve had to make.

[mik]

That's a nice first car!

That!

[Matty]

Indeed, that's a great car. Back in my day we had to have a Panda 750cc with a choke and 34bhp and be happy about it!

[nuttinnew]

I'm surprised the insurance is ok with that as a first car - excellent result, nice car

[jamcg]

Can to ask the same question about the insurance for that, as I guess it’s in the region of 130-150hp?

[DeskJockey]

Can to ask the same question about the insurance for that, as I guess it’s in the region of 130-150hp?

My dad had the same engine in his Octavia and that was rated at 122ps. Add a bit of VW premium and 130 probably isn't far off.

[Johnny]

It’s 120bhp. Insurance group 16E. At the mo my son is on learner driver insurance at just a touch over £350 for 12mths. Balance refunded when he passes his test (minus admin costs).
On new driver policy quotes range between £1600-£2000/yr depending what day of the week he gets quotes and what figure the random insurance premium generator churns out (feels like that at times). Surprisingly insurance isn’t that much more than a Polo 1.4, insurance group 09E.

[IanF]

There was an article about auto-only new drivers paying ~£900 more in insurance than people who learned in a manuel.. guess it’s just another box ticked on the application so why not, but it does feel cheeky.