I would have to say, having insured 2 daughters through learning to drive, a Ka is the best all rounder 1.3i on group 1 insurance, last one I picked up for £895 with genuine 42,000 miles one owner, and go for the Ka2 if older than 2000, as older ones will not have Power steering, trust me you need it!
you get electric windows and a decent stereo, ours even has a nice spoiler and high rear brake light, and it's black, a decent set of alloys, it looks reasonably cool. They handle well, and we have motorway cruised in it before, so a good all rounder.
Check points, they get rusty sumps?? and make sure its either had a new one fitted, or doesn't have a leaky power steering rack. thise and rust seem to be major look out things when buying.
PS please please dont buy a rover of any sort with the 1.4 i it,unless you like fitting head gaskets
