Just a thought . . . . .

As instuctors I'm sure many of us try to combine fuel economy with some performance when purchasing a tuition car. So what would be the ideal bhp of a tuition car? Not just for our purposes but to aid pupils in future. If pupils buy a 100 bhp car will it be too fast for them if they have only driven a 60 bhp car? Is this a contributing factor to young drivers having accidents? Should we be teaching them in 130 bhp cars so they get used to the more powerful engines.

I know when I had my first cars I ws trying to squeeze every mph out of them, but once I had a decent car, it didn't matter so much as I knew it could do the speed, but also had the brakes to stop when needed.

Oz

I always have a mid range performance car that will do 0-60 in 9-10 seconds. Firstly for my enjoyment between lessons and secondly as you say Oz to get pupils used to a car that has some power.

I had a chat with a pup the other day and he told me 9 of his friends who had passed in the last year, had also crashed. They all had the same instructor who drives a bog standard 307. He also said that he does not know of anyone that I have taught that had crashed! Seems to go along with your theory!

When I was training to become an instructor, I was considering using my favourite road car as a training vehicle - the Subaru Impreza. This would only be used for those who were near to test standard, to show them the differences in the handling and power of this sort of vehicle.

The Impreza comes in either 140BHP (normally aspirated) or 240BHP (turbo) versions, both of which are permanent four-wheel-drive. It is this permanent 4WD that gives the car its phenomenal road holding ability, and matched to the great acceleration and brakes this provides a fun, but relatively safe driving experience.

I would expect this car would be a great "second" tuition vehicle - the only problems being the initial purchase price and the insurance costs!

Hmmm... I wonder if He-Man do dual controls for the Impreza...

Daniel