Young drivers and insurance - the facts - So what do you drive?

It's a delicate balancing act between competing motivations when you are choosing your first car - affordability competes with style and safety as priorities.

However, even on a meagre budget you can have all three. These, in order of purchase cost, are whatcar.com's recommendations:

Nissan Micra
The 1.0-litre three-door is no looker, but one with 80,000 miles on the clock can be bought for around £1200, and the Micra falls into insurance group three (expect to pay £360-£1000 third party). Post-1995 models come with a driver's airbag.

Ford Fiesta
A 1999 1.25-litre LX three-door will cost around £2000 with 60,000 miles on the clock. It has a zingy engine, handles well and lies in insurance bracket six (expect £450-£1200).

Nissan Almera
The Almera has all the benefits of modern safety standards (it got a four-star NCAP rating) at a bargain price of around £2700 with 50,000 miles on the clock. It's in insurance group five (expect £450-£800), too, even with its larger 1.5-litre engine.

Fiat Punto
Three-year-old 1.2-litre models with 15,000 miles on the clock cost about £4000. They fall into insurance group three (expect £380-£1200) and boast a bit of Italian style with few of the reliability worries.

Toyota Yaris
The Yaris is perky, reliable and costs around £5500 with very few miles on the clock. The 1.0-litre car is in insurance group two (expect £380-£1200).

Ford Focus
Distinctive exterior, stylish interior and superb handling - you could have a four-year-old 1.4 LX three-door for around £6000. It's in insurance group four (expect £500-£1400).

Mercedes A-Class
For £6500 for an A140 Classic with around 20,000 miles on the clock, you can turn a few heads with this economical car. It is in insurance group six (expect £500-£1500).

Citroen C2
Look for discounts, because there are some great offers out there that could put a brand-new 1.1-litre Furio on your drive for around £7000. At insurance group one (expect £380-£1500), it's in the lowest bracket here.

Skoda Fabia
The Fabia is a good drive and has plenty of space inside. It's also less than £8000 new and the 1.2-litre Ambiente model in is insurance group two (expect £380-£1200).

Mini One
You may need Mum and Dad to stump up some of the £10,000 required to get one of these with less than 10,000 miles on the clock, but you won't be disappointed with the handling, engine or group-five (expect £550-£1800) insurance deals.