Best family car that doesn't cost a fortune to run?

Chris2685

At the moment I drive a '98 reg Nissan Micra, which has served me well over the past few years. It is economical and rarely goes wrong.
My girlfriend and I are going to have a third member to our family in December, and so we went out looking for prams yesterday.

Unfortunately, what I feared (and also secretly hoped for, in a boys toys kind of way) came true, and most of the prams (travel systems I should say ) are too large to fit in the boot.

I would personally like a VW Passat, but I think it would cost a hell of a lot to run!
So I am thinking of the Ford Focus as being the more economical choice...

Does anyone have any opinions on what makes a good family car? We just need something with a bit of space, that isn't stupidly expensive to run really, but I don't want something that is going to fall apart and cost a fortune to repair (which Ford have a reputation for!).

I liked the idea of the Passat because it VW have a good reputation of building reliable cars, but when I looked into the insurance costs and engine size (petrol/diesal consumption) it just seems too damn expensive...

Any ideas welcome

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

Zoetoes

We opted for a Focus for the space, including the boot space as OH and both kids play cricket so we have to fit the kit bags in!

Some cars we looked at, such as the Peugeot 307 didn't have much leg room in the back for the kids, was too cramped.

Also, we found that the Focus doesn't seem to depreciate so quickly.

TiTheRev

Why would a Passat be too much to run?

If you get a diesel, which runs for about 600miles on a tank, it's more economical. Granted, tax is expensive, but unless it's under 1.4 it will be increasingly expensive what ever car you get. I got my Passat Est 130bhp TDi, 51 plate, for £3500. Not expensive and has been a very reliable car works very well for me, the missus and little addition and all his buggy etc.

markelock

mclaren f1. 3 seater. space only for a papoose though. job done.

or a honda accord. alot of people are also pretty happy with the skoda. I don't think the badge will be a problem either if you drive a micra.

who says vw are reliable? I can't comment on the passat, but golfs are shocking.

Chris2685

Thanks TiThe, keep the Passat praise coming. I really want one but need to justify it in my head (and to my girlfriend ).
I have been looking at the 1.8, such as this one (although I wouldn't get one with such high mileage).
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/VOLKSWAGEN+PASSAT/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-19-41-231-240-4294967158-4294967159/advert.action?R=200837318786623&distance=6&postcode=sl3+6jd&channel=CARS&make=VOLKSWAGEN&model=PASSAT&min_pr=&max_pr=5000&max_mileage=60000

But am not too clued up on all the different models as I haven't looked into it too much yet. Seems they are in insurance group 12 though? Gonna be expensive to insure for me...

Chris2685

markelock wrote: »

who says vw are reliable? I can't comment on the passat, but golfs are shocking.

Really? I always thought that Golfs were one of the most reliable cars out there?

TiTheRev

Chris2685 wrote: »

Really? I always thought that Golfs were one of the most reliable cars out there?

There's an exception to every rule, but at my VW dealership I wouldn't class any Golf as shocking reliability?!

I would definately go diesel, rather than petrol for the Passat though. The diesel engines will easily go over 200k without any more than wear and tear issues. My 51 plate is at 117k, hence I got it a little cheaper, but it's been serviced soley at VW dealers and maintained by a leasing company so nothing will have been overlooked or not maintained. If you get me some info on any you're interested in, I may be able to find out some insider details on spec and service history for you

Insurance for me and the missus on mine is only just over £300 fully comp, I am 31 and she's 25.

markelock

i had one with a head gasket blown at 3.5k miles, and one that was ok, it was old, clocked, so would be unfair to moan.

wife had one that would cut out, trading it in for another that was just pretty average, kept using rear bulbs.

vw's are not as reliable as they are thought to be. have a look at how many have electrical glitches.

don't get anything french. or italian.

markelock

wife still wants a golf gti I must add.

kitchpoo

I would go for the focus as well, even if it does go wrong, everyone can fix it and everyone has the parts. For example, just done the front discs and brake pads for £57 today!

The estate makes a big improvement for getting the big heavy pushchairs in as the rear lip on the focus is a bit high. (oh - and I have a diesel one for sale!)

TiTheRev

markelock wrote: »

i had one with a head gasket blown at 3.5k miles, and one that was ok, it was old, clocked, so would be unfair to moan.

wife had one that would cut out, trading it in for another that was just pretty average, kept using rear bulbs.

vw's are not as reliable as they are thought to be. have a look at how many have electrical glitches.

don't get anything french. or italian.

What age Golfs are they? Mk4s used to have a problem with coil packs but nothing else electrical that I know of. I have not seen a VW with a blown head gasket in any of my 5years at VW.

Would definately agree on french/italian though. Just dont.