First time driving advice, car, insurance etc.?

Im 16 and I should be driving by 17, however I do have a a bit of an issue on deciding what car I should go for. Firstly my budget will be about �2000-�3000 and I don't really want the insurance too be over �2500 yearly, (couple of hundred over is affordable) i'm thinking of a golf mk2, as they are fairly cheap and insurance is cheap also. Any advice on first time driving experiences would be very helpful, also any advice on a car I should get would be satisfactory! :D