12 replies to this topic

[Elmo]

Our Toyota Corolla has finally given up the ghost and we're in the market for a new family car, but it needs to be cheap-ish. If you were after a small family car, say a 1.6-1.8L for under £4k... what would you get?? Ford Focus? Mazda 3?

[belli]

I'd go for a mazda over a ford any day. The build quality and reliability are far better.

[Elmo]

A few people have said the same... Don't want to be shelling out loads of cash over the next few years with a young family 3pm my hands.

Mrs Elmo is off for test drives next week. Will report on what we try out.

[Borgus]

I've got a Focus. Wouldn't buy another one.

[Elmo]

Why's that Borgus? Reliability problem? We've always sworn by cars from from far east due to the build quality. We've had two Nissan Micras too. The 1.4l we had was pretty nippy in and around town.

[Borgus]

£500 to replace clutch at just under 30k. Another £500 and lots of inconvenience after engine core plugs corroded from washer water entering engine due to known design fault. MPG not that impressive. Only have to breathe on the paintwork and it marks. Only has temporary, not full-size, spare wheel.

[Ziwa]

Our Ford Escrot is getting on to 20 years old, looks a bit rough around the edges, but starts every time and runs a dream. We've got a good guy doing the MOT & repairs though. Spend a wee bit more on the maintenance, and he keeps the mota going.

Edited by Ziwa, 17 July 2012 - 09:33 PM.

[Sylvester]

The Focus (2 models 2005-11) are Best Buys in the Which? Best used car reviews for your budget (the Toyota Avensis Tourer comes top).

I've had a basic Peugeot 106 from new 16 years ago - it's been totally reliable all those years and still going strong!

[moc]

If it were me, I'd be looking at a Honda Jazz or a Nissan Note, which are good family sized cars and just about in that price range. Possibly also a Vauxhall Meriva. I personally have a Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 hdi diesel, and it's enormous inside and economical to run and insure, but, you wouldnt get one for 4k.

[gekko]

My sister has a Citroen Xsara Picasso, which she got for about £4K a few years back. She bought it for the purposes of ferrying young children and it's very practical. It's less well-specced than the C4 but comfortable and affordable nonetheless. My mum has a top-of-the-range C4, which is lovely but impractical as you can't put the back seats down. Also, it uses expensive, uncommon tyres and there's no spare so she had to buy one to carry in the boot .

I'm interested to see how this thread develops as I'll need to change my car in the next year or so. As I only use it every two or three weeks I can't justify spending a lot of money so am keen to see what's cheap, practical and economical.

[Elmo]

There's a bit of a delay as we're sorting out our personalised number plates to sell, but I've sat in a Nissan note, and have been amazed by the amount of space in them. Easily big enough for a family of 4. I especially like the easy the back seats slide to give rear passengers more room. Only problem is that there aren't many of them around for under £4k ... might have to spend a bit more.

Hopefully driving one later today.

[Elmo]

It's a Nissan Note. Upped the budget to between £5k-£6k and found a 1.6 automatic with only 15,000 on the clock. Alloys, air con, Bluetooth... Very very happy.

We were swayed by the space, versatility and value for money. I've never driven an automatic before, but willing to make the change for this deal. Supposed to be good for town driving although slightly more expensive in the petrol.

[gekko]

Well done on the purchase Elmo. Do report back on your experience of switching from manual to automatic. Mrs G wants us to get an automatic next (although it's me that does all the driving ). I'm less sure but mainly because I like to have something to do when I'm driving to keep me from getting bored!