![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/24\/590x\/secondary\/UK-4925704.jpg?r=1692885943789\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Passing your test is an exhilarating moment. After months of study and examination, you are finally allowed on the roads by yourself.<\/p>\n
The first drive with zero company beside you is both thrilling and slightly scary. My first time was driving to a local shop to buy some milk and I remember the thrill of finally flying solo.<\/p>\n
However, once you\u2019ve passed your test the next step is to find a car, easier said than done when you\u2019re 17 and premiums are sky high.<\/p>\n
As a result, most young drivers believe they are limited to cars with small engines, even smaller power reserves, and not much in the way of fun.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t the case, as I discovered with 2012 Renault Clio Dynamique which had a small engine, no power, but several reasons why it made a perfect first car.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> ‘I drove the latest Porsche and it shows electric cars are not the future’<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019d wanted to drive since I was about eight years old. I counted down the years until the day I could legally do my test.<\/p>\n Despite this, when it came to choosing a first car, I was quite nervous and was worried about getting in everyone\u2019s way.<\/p>\n What was great about the Renault Clio, later named Furry in honour of the Brad Pitt film Fury, it had great visibility out of the front of the car, making it easy to manoeuvre through London\u2019s busy streets.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the Clio wasn\u2019t just able when it came to busy streets, when life got busy, the Clio was adept there too.<\/p>\n The little Clio has a high rear end and a wide boot aperture. What this means is that it\u2019s easy to get big things in and out of it.<\/p>\n The car was so capacious and the boot aperture so square that it had more carrying capacity than some SUVs at the time.<\/p>\n This was perfect at the time as a year later, I travelled to the seaside town of Penryn to study and when I left it took all my things in one go.<\/p>\n With Cornwall, in mind, and the mammoth journey time between London and Cornwall, the car had other tricks up its sleeve.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n DON’T MISS <\/strong> Two of the most important elements of choosing a car for a new driver is that it must be comfortable and easy to drive.<\/p>\n With soft suspension and light controls, the Clio had these in spades. Despite its 1.2 litre engine, it was an able motorway cruiser with impressive economy for the engine\u2019s diminutive size.<\/p>\n This sounds weird, but for those who are into cars or who are passionate about them, there is something about cars that endears you to them occasionally.<\/p>\n During Top Gear\u2019s Africa Special: Jeremy Clarkson once described a BMW 5 series estate as \u201ca mate\u201d. He explained: \u201cThat\u2019s what makes a car special, that\u2019s what makes a car great, you start to think of it as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n On Cornwall\u2019s twisting roads, en route to a racetrack or to France with friends, it was another member of the crew, another person on the adventure.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t to say everyone will have the same experience, not everyone will think as fondly about their first car as I do mine.<\/p>\n And this isn\u2019t to say the Clio was faultless either, but it was what you need in a first car.<\/p>\n It was practical, economical, easy to drive, reliable, and fun.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/24\/590x\/secondary\/UK-4925708.jpg?r=1692885943874\")
<\/p>\nIt was easy to see out of<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/24\/590x\/secondary\/Tank-4925717.jpg?r=1692885943931\")
<\/p>\nIt was practical<\/h3>\n
Electric cars threaten half of UK’s front gardens, new survey shows[ANALYSIS] <\/strong>
Classic cars owned by Eric Morecambe and Wayne Rooney up for sale[REPORT] <\/strong>
Four simple tips help drivers save thousands of pounds on tires[INSIGHT] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/24\/590x\/secondary\/Study-4925721.jpg?r=1692885943962\")
<\/p>\nIt was great on long journeys<\/h3>\n
It was a friend<\/h3>\n
What made the Clio special<\/h3>\n