Size – it really does matter when it comes to engine size. Richard advises keeping the engine size low, for example 1200cc or less, to keep the insurance and tax costs down. Age – brand new cars are often unaffordable for first time car buyers so if you're buying a second hand car, make sure you check the mileage.
The largest engine size you could possibly have is a 1.6l engine, for example the 1.6l engine in the early BMW Mini Ones and Coopers, or the 1.6l of a Fiesta Zetec S, but these cars are only to be considered if you have the extra wiggle room for insurance and running costs, as they will be juicier on petrol.
But, the general rule of thumb is the smaller your engine size, the more money you could save. And with 1.4 being on the smaller side, it's definitely a good contender for a first car! Saving on insurance is certainly a huge benefit - it could be the difference between you affording to drive and not.
Engine size won't be the only influence on your insurance quote though. But if this is your first car purchase it might not be the best choice. A better bet would be an engine that's 1.2 litres or less.
You'll get a good fuel economy out of them, as the smaller capacity means less fuel is used. This is great if you mainly do a lot of stop/start driving, such as in a city where there are lots of traffic lights, or if you usually make short journeys.
Automotive Basics: What Does Your Engine Size ACTUALLY MEAN?
Is 1 litre engine too small for motorway?
But engine size is also a key aspect to mull over - you need the right unit for your needs. For example, a 1.0-litre engine could be ideal for urban commutes, but less well-suited to regular high-speed motorway trips - and a bad option for towing a trailer!
We're not saying if you have a 1.2 engine that you should totally avoid driving on a motorway - what we're saying is that if you mostly use your car for longer distances at higher speeds, then a larger engine is a better choice for this type of driving.
People who wish to have luxury cars can do so, but with limited engine capacity. For example, drivers aged 17-21 cannot get a car above 1.2 litres, drivers aged 22-25 cannot get above 1.6.
A1 licence (allowing you to ride a 125cc bike) if you are 17 or over. A2 licence (limiting you to a maximum bhp of 47) if you are 19 and over. A licence (allowing you to ride any bike of any sized engine) if you are 21 and have held your A2 licence for two years or more.
The older a vehicle, the less it's worth. Again, this is because it's more likely to need repairs at some point, but also because it will fall behind the standards of newer models. Ultimately, car age and mileage both matter when buying a used car.
However, many young people need to budget: the cost of the first car should range from £4,000 to £8,000 or $5,000 to $10,000 What car to buy? A two-three-year-old vehicle with low mileage costs 20-25% less than the same new one.
How old should your first car be? There's no set age you should aim for with your first car, but if you are buying an older car, you should have a trusted mechanic make sure that it is all working smoothly and as it should.
Engines between 1.4 to 1.6-litre engines have a little more power and are great for both short trips to longer ones up the motorway. With great fuel economy, having a 1.4-1.6L engine means you won't need to visit a petrol station as often.
Power comes from burning fuel and air, the more fuel and air the chamber can hold under high pressure then the more power can be produced. So a 1.6 L turbo charged engine can produce more HP than a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine.
On average, a car should have around 10,000 miles per year. So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer.
In essence, you need to be 17 years old to drive on public roads. You will need to be in possession of either a full driving licence or a provisional driving licence. In both cases you need to be insured and the car you're driving needs to have a current MoT and road tax.
Well, it's the Citroën Ami – and technically it's not a car, it's a large electric quadricycle. Indeed, in some European countries the Ami can be driven by 14-year-olds without driving licences. Perhaps sensibly, UK regulations demand that you're at least 16 and even then you need a special licence.
How old do you have to be to drive your own car? Technically, there's no legal age limit for owning your own car in the UK. But as we said above, before you can drive your own car, you must be at least 17 years old and in possession of a provisional driving licence.
Typically, engines between 1 - 1.4 litres are classed as small. But that doesn't mean that anything above that is particularly big. A 1.6 is a small-medium sized engine.
What is the cheapest car insurance for a 17 year old?
What is the cheapest car insurance for 17-year-olds? Based on our research, Erie Insurance provides the cheapest car insurance for 17-year-olds at $261 per month or $3,137 per year for a full-coverage policy. Auto-Owners and USAA can also be affordable options.
Your vehicle's engine size is one of the factors insurers use to work out the cost of your premium. Vehicles with lower engine capacities are cheaper to insure than high-powered vehicles. The insurance industry uses a system known as 'group rating' to assess the likely insurance costs for different vehicle models.
Modern 1.2L engine should be good enough for hills. However whether it can go over slush or rocky, icy terrain (talking about Himalayas), I have seen enough Altos, Santros and Kwids in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir.
Yes, it is possible to overfill your gas tank. Filling it past the pump's first automatic shut-off will overfill the tank and may also damage your car. Overfilling can also affect the environment and even pose a risk to your safety.
Generally, to be fined for driving too slowly on the motorway, you need to be causing some kind of an issue for other drivers around you. In the case that you've outlined, where your friend is the support vehicle for you, it's unlikely that you would be fined for driving at around 50 mph.
