My son is also coming of age and will be old enough for a new car, but I won't be getting him a Micra. Why not? Quite simply, insurance. Micra's tend to land in the higher range of insurance. They're not as bad as some, but they're still up there. Instead, I'll be buying him a used Chevrolet Impala. As much as I have a distaste for GM, there's no denying the fact that it is, by and large, the least expensive vehicle to insure for a new young driver.

It might be different for young women, but I think it's worthwhile checking out. The money she saves on insurance might be enough to go towards something worthwhile.