I thought those goons on Topgear raved about Corsa's for small cars.
I'm in a similar situation (in that hopefully I should pass my test soon) and it looks like the VW Polo is the way to go... I'm thinking I can get a nice enough one for about £2k plus insurance.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 14:16, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

And Fiat 500s
But they're still pretty new so you might not be able to get one cheaply
( djtrialprice, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 14:30, Reply)

2k
Should be relatively easy.

Try to buy one off an old dear.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 14:53, Reply)

By the way
this is the kind of thing I had in mind.

cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-Volkswagen-Polo-Grey-diesel-/320549463998?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4aa23ca7be#ht_1223wt_937

Any car buffs fancy judging my choice?
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 14:56, Reply)

looks alright
should be reasonably efficient, and the mileage certainly isn't high for its age
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 14:59, Reply)

Been pimped a bit
Just make sure it wasn't by a tit.

Difficult to thrash diesels - but they can be a pricier to fix I think.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:03, Reply)

I think that car has the slightly lower power version of the engine in my Seat Toledo
in which case it is pretty much bulletproof.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:05, Reply)

Stereo
Was the most important part of my first car. I don't know what's wrong with all these sensible nippers.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:08, Reply)

I had an F reg 1 litre VW polo
in fading VW polo red

it had a decent stereo though. fast or loud or both is the way to buy a first car!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:08, Reply)

Or choose a woman.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:09, Reply)

Cheers to you both
not that I'm buying that particular car but certainly a VW Polo of similar ilk.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:11, Reply)

I can highly recommend the VW 1.9l diesel engines from around that period
if that helps
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:19, Reply)

Yeah
I'm liking the look of those 97 Polo's so the 1.9 diesels sound right up my street.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 24 Jun 2010, 15:27, Reply)