Best 'family' car on a £1k budget????

Dontknowanymore

rev_henry wrote: »

I'd second all those, but probably best not getting anything French as has been said. Is the 1.6 limit for insurance OP?
I'd also suggest a Hyundai Accent 1.3, which is almost identical in size and shape to an escort, if not a little bigger, but is probably immeasurably better quality and nicer to drive than an escort. I bought mine last month for £800, although that was a bit overpriced.
Are you sure that kinda size is big enough though? I'd have thought mondeo/vectra size would be a bit more practical, although maybe thats pushing the insurance a bit.

Yeah for insurance.
I had 2 fault claims in one year then my ex got caught on a speed camera in Oct and made me take the points
Yeah I reckon a bigger car would be better, but also i'm only little (5ft) so dont want to be swamped lol

robredz

I'd second the Hyundai Accent, more room inside than you think, large boot space, fairly quick, but watch the gearbox, the gearchange can be crunchy.

rev_henry

robredz wrote: »

I'd second the Hyundai Accent, more room inside than you think, large boot space, fairly quick, but watch the gearbox, the gearchange can be crunchy.

And, as I said, insurance won't be a problem, I'm 18 and its £750 to insure mine. Best to try and find a 5 door with power steering if possible as well.

mark5

My dad wouldnt agree with Mondeo's being cheap to repair, his 06 2.2 TDCi has been a total nightmare especially since the warranty expired, next problem it gets he says its going in part-ex.
Its a lovely drive when its running though!

goldspanners

mark5 wrote: »

My dad wouldnt agree with Mondeo's being cheap to repair, his 06 2.2 TDCi has been a total nightmare especially since the warranty expired, next problem it gets he says its going in part-ex.
Its a lovely drive when its running though!

A totally different beast to the older mk2 which is in the price range of the op. an 06 plate won't be in the 1k budget.

jaydeeuk1

I'd vote for a hyundai or other korean make. Could get a decent daewoo leganza 2.0 with climate control, leather, 5 seats and FSH for that. Has mostly vauxhall parts from same gen astra.

creased-leach

Another vote for a Mazda 323(f) I've had my P reg 1.5 for about 2 years. A couple of months ago I was given my late FIL's Almera which had been garaged all it's life and had very low miles. Plan was to use that, have cheaper insurance, and sell the Mazzie. Within a month I realised the Mazzie was so much better built, perkier, roomier, and soooo much nicer to look at.

Guess which one is about to go up for sale?

robredz

rev_henry wrote: »

And, as I said, insurance won't be a problem, I'm 18 and its £750 to insure mine. Best to try and find a 5 door with power steering if possible as well.

Power steering is standard from 2000 X reg on, and insurance is a group lower than the previous Accent as well. Avoid 1.5 MVI as it is not much faster, but dearer insurance and more thirsty, it does handle better though, but that is not a consideration for a family barge imho. Should be cheaper to maintain than a mondeo, and there is a diesel if you can find one that performs as good as the petrol with less thirst.

spark_deals

robredz wrote: »

Power steering is standard from 2000 X reg on, and insurance is a group lower than the previous Accent as well. Avoid 1.5 MVI as it is not much faster, but dearer insurance and more thirsty, it does handle better though, but that is not a consideration for a family barge imho. Should be cheaper to maintain than a mondeo, and there is a diesel if you can find one that performs as good as the petrol with less thirst.

I have N reg Daewoo nexia, nice economy, cheap to insure, has power steering, ABS braking. Got it 2 years back (new driver) and am going to 2004 or newer mg or rover, my wife has V reg rover...both cars never gave any probs so far except MGR running rich, getting sorted tomorrow!!:)

petrolhead69

if you want something that will go forever on minimal maintenance look for a toyota corrola or a honda civic or accord. vw passat diesel is nice in that price range too and for a 1.9 the insurance isn`t bad. golfs around that price will mostly be knackered. try and keep to something cheap to maintain as in this price range it`s easy to buy a car that over a year needs more than it`s own value in repairs. put a bit of money aside for a service and timing belt straight away, espicaially if you get a vauxhall, they snap belts for fun. If you don`t have a friendly "mates rates" mechanic avoid french cars or k series rovers