So my nephew is due to turn 17 next year and therefore wants to learn to drive. He's quite keen on cars so would like something that is not only socially quite cool but more importantly offers some fun driver involvement. Naturally the constraints of being a young driver will apply so a reasonable insurance premium is the most important thing to consider.
Top of the list so far of cars that appeal are a Smart Roadster coupe or around a 57 plate Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6. We've run some preliminary insurance quotes and reckon he's looking at around £3300 for the Roadster and £2500ish for the Swift which when you consider a one litre Corsa worth four hundred quid comes out at over £1400 I guess that's not to bad.
I've driven a Swift (albeit a souped up one) around the Nurburgring a few times and it was a hoot to chuck around so I do rate them quite highly but have no experience of the Roadster. Has anyone owned or driven one of them? I think they are supposed to handle quite well? I do like the idea and styling of them even if they are woefully underpowered with the 700cc beast of an engine. 
Ideally he would like to get a car and the first years insurance for close to 5k.
Other requirements include -
> Petrol returning around 35mpg +
> Low tax
> Would only be doing around 3-4k miles a year but would need to be reliable and cheap to run
> Unmodified and won't be looking to change it much / if at all from standard.
> 0-60 Not important but sub 10s a bonus
> Manual preferred but wouldn't mind a decent semi auto
> RWD would be great but understands options will be limited
> Realistically 4/5 seats would be needed for ferrying a few mates around now and then but would be prepared to make the sacrifice to two if the car felt special enough.
> Size / practicality / storage space not really an issue
Any suggestions?
Apparently and I have to agree. 
