First cars in the 80s & 90s vs today!
Are the cars that were popular in the 80s & 90s a distant memory or are they still popular today? We're taking a look!
We love looking back on how driving has changed over the years – from the times when the parents of the young drivers now, were young drivers themselves! Here we’re looking at the cars from the 1980s and cars today that were chosen by young drivers at the time. You may be surprised to discover that some of them aren’t as different as you think!
Top 5 cars for young drivers in the 80s & 90s!
Top 5 cars for young drivers today!
1 Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a supermini that has dominated the car market since 1976. This was the way Ford would compete with other popular cars at the time like the Fiat 127 and the Renault 5. Not only did it compete, it blew them out of the water! Young drivers at the time were smitten for the Ford Fiesta and loved by everyone. There was even a model for the boy racers, the XR2 version released in the mid 80s would get you from 0-60 in 9.3 seconds which was very quick for its day!
2 Vauxhall Nova
This classic car was launched in 1983 and was available as a two or five door hatchback, as well as a two/four door saloon (but the latter never really took off as much). To compete against the Ford Fiesta and Austin Metro in the 80s, Vauxhall threw the Nova in the ring and it did pretty well – selling nearly 500,000 in the UK alone. Any young drivers reading this may not remember the Vauxhall Nova and that’s ok – because when they released the second generation, Vauxhall decided to drop the Nova name and opt for something we think you may recognise… Corsa!
3 Morris Mini
The launch of the Morris Mini in 1961 stole the hearts of people all over the world. Their small size, quirky looks and great performance made these cars great for young drivers then and now! They became even more popular in the 1980s (of course, who doesn’t want to feel like they’re starring in The Italian Job?) The designer of the Mini switched between companies over the years (British Leyland, Rover, Austin etc) but all had the cool and quirky look we’ve come to know and love!
4 Austin/MG Metro
Launched in 1980 as the Austin Mini Metro, this car was intended to complement and eventually replace the Mini. It quickly became a very popular car for young drivers and was named What Car? Car of The Year in 1983. In total there were over 2 million Metros made before production stopped in 1998 – it didn’t replace the Mini but instead became a great car in its own right.
5 VW Polo
In 1975 Volkswagen launched the VW Polo but it wasn’t until the introduction of the Polo Mk 2 coupé in 1981 that young drivers really took it to their hearts. Since the launch there have been more than 14 million Polos sold around the world with 1.2 million of them in the UK. These quality and affordable cars were all the rage in the 80s, and still are!
1 Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a top-selling car for young drivers and has been for the last few years. Although it was originally launched in 1957, when it made a comeback in 2007 young drivers fell for its quirky style, easy handling and the range of colour options – meaning you can make this car your own. All this paired with the fact they’re cheap to buy and run makes them the perfect option for young drivers today. You can even keep insurance costs low with telematics insurance – what’s not to love!
2 Vauxhall Corsa
Taking over from the Vauxhall Nova is the Vauxhall Corsa and this is a firm favourite for young drivers today. They’re reliable, safe and great to look at so it makes sense that young drivers often opt for a Corsa as their first car. The latest generation of Corsa has a whole new design but keeps all the performance. We love the new Corsa so much – we’re running a competition giving you a chance to win one!
3 Ford Fiesta
All the way from 1976 to today – young drivers and parents still love the Ford Fiesta. Now in its 7th generation, it’s been getting young drivers on the road for over 40 years and for some, kept them on the roads! In 2014 it became Britain’s best-selling car ever with sales of over 4.5 million! It’s also one of our best sellers’ year in, year out. They’re reliable, practical and fun to drive – and they’ve sure stood the test of time. If young drivers want to get behind the wheel of their parent’s Fiesta then getting Named Young Driver Insurance is the perfect option and is a great alternative to being added to an existing policy.
4 VW Polo
From 1975 to today – young drivers can’t get enough of the VW Polo. The good quality and great design of the Polo has remained on trend since its launch and it now boasts everything young drivers are looking for – like great tech, amazing colour options and brilliant running costs. It’s also well known the Volkswagen hold their value really well, making these a great investment for any young driver.
5 SEAT Ibiza
Although the SEAT Ibiza was launched in 1984 it seems that young drivers have only just started to take a liking for this car, and it’s clear to see why. It boasts all the latest tech including LED headlights and keyless entry, giving young drivers the convenience they desire – all paired with a great drive and good running costs!
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