Choosing the right first car can be a minefield of balancing the dream drive against running costs and the price of insurance. You want something stylish but your pockets say otherwise.

We have the solution with five fun and slick starter motors for the just-passed-the-test driver.

Every one we have chosen comes with a realistic price to pay and all should be in very good all-round condition for the cash with plenty of life left to entertain you.

Crucially, all are cheap to own and come with safety kit to keep you safe on your first foray into car ownership.

Car: Citroen C2
Year: 2004
Cost: £2,000

Citroen's C2 is so cheap to run it almost costs more to walk. There are plenty to choose from, but for first-time drivers the 1.1-Litre Petrol Engine gives an easy introduction to driving on your own.

The five-speed manual gearbox is light, the engine nippy and the C2's compact size makes it easier to park than a bicycle. Problems are few, but check the rear brakes have not seized, especially if the car has been sat on a dealer's forecourt for a few weeks. Otherwise, the C2 is a fun-sized first car, though this also means rear seat space is limited for your mates.

Look for a 2004 1.1 LX with 65,000 miles for around £2,000 and you'll bag a great starter car that's also cheap to insure, service and fuel thanks to 48mpg economy.

Car: Fiat Panda
Year: 2004
Cost: £2,500

You may have expected us to plump for the Fiat Punto over the Panda, but there's method in this apparent madness. First off, the Panda is a hoot to drive thanks to its zesty character and agile handling, which makes it ideal in town, country or on open roads. The 1.2-litre Petrol Engine is easy on fuel and servicing, and in Dynamique trim comes with a reasonable level of kit.

For insurance, the Panda scores over the Punto as it's seen as a more sensible, safer bet, which means it's ideal for first-time drivers looking to keep costs at a realistic level. On top of this, the Panda has a stylish cabin, proven reliability record and its five-door layout makes it practical. Search out a 54-plate 1.2 Dynamique with 60,000 miles on the clock and start having fun.

Car: Ford Ka
Year: 2000
Cost: £1,000

We couldn't list our favourite first cars without mentioning the Ford Ka. It's the distillation of everything a new driver's formative set of wheels should be: funky to look at, great to drive and chip-cheap to own.

You can pick up Kas for less than £500 with an MOT, but we'd look at a 2000 model for around £1,000. For this kind of money, it will have 50,000 miles on the clock, careful owners and a fully stamped service book - there's no excuse for missing services when it costs so little to look after a Ka. When you bag one, it might also have air conditioning and a CD stereo, but it will definitely have a reliable 1.25-Litre Petrol engine that gives decent performance.

Car: MINI One
Year: 2002
Cost: £4,000

If you thought the stylish MINI was out of your budget, think again. Early 2002 models are now less than £4,000, though beware high mileage cars with a string of previous owners.

It's much better to look for a 2002 MINI One on an 02-plate with around 65,000 miles that has been cherished. There are plenty to pick from at £4,000 and they come in all sorts of colour combinations, so there's one out there to suit you. Plenty of driving instructors use the MINI to teach, so new drivers may well be already used to the MINI's nimble handling. The 1.6-litre petrol engine has just the right amount of oomph for town and motorway driving, yet still returns 43.5mpg average economy.

One other great thing about the MINI, aside from its enduring style, is that it holds its value tenaciously so it makes moving up the motoring ladder easier when the next step comes.

Car: Peugeot 206
Year: 2001
Cost: £1,500

The Peugeot 206 is bigger than the other cars here, but that doesn't mean it's pricier to buy or own. There's a huge choice, so take your time to find a cared-for example with around 45,000 miles on a Y-reg for £1,500.

We prefer the looks of the three-door, but the five-door is more practical. Any 1.4-litre LX model should come with air conditioning, electric windows and CD stereo. Make sure the central locking works properly, which is a common problem but cheap to cure. Otherwise, the only thing to be sure of is that the 206's driving position suits you as it's not ideal for all shapes and sizes. If it does, the supple suspension gives great comfort and responsive handling, while the cabin has reasonable space and a large boot. Fuel economy of 45mpg from the peppy 1.4-litre petrol engine is welcome and the 206 is easy on insurance, while servicing is low-cost too. Like the other cars here, the Peugeot 206 will hold its value and be easy to sell on when the time comes to change.