What boring family car for £7k?

PeteW

Hiya,

As we've now got two kids under the age of 15 months and are frequently having to lug a double buggy, two travels cots, and so all that jazz up to the in-laws in Manchester, we need something bigger than our Focus.

We've got around £7k to spend and I'd take reliable, economical, safe and well equipped over performance.

Was hoping for a new shape Mondeo, but don't know if that would be in my budget - would probably have to be very high mileage and low equipped, which isn't ideal. Other thoughts are the previous Mondeo, the new Passat or maybe a Toyota Avensis…

Any other suggestions or opinions on the above?

Ta

LandyAndy

PeteW wrote: »

Hiya,

As we've now got two kids under the age of 15 months and are frequently having to lug a double buggy, two travels cots, and so all that jazz up to the in-laws in Manchester, we need something bigger than our Focus.

We've got around £7k to spend and I'd take reliable, economical, safe and well equipped over performance.

Was hoping for a new shape Mondeo, but don't know if that would be in my budget - would probably have to be very high mileage and low equipped, which isn't ideal. Other thoughts are the previous Mondeo, the new Passat or maybe a Toyota Avensis…

Any other suggestions or opinions on the above?

Ta

All of those would be decent choices.

No one will be surprised if I add the Mazda6 to the list.:D

I would recommend getting an estate. I've had them for years and they are very useful things.

davidjwest

I bought an 04 plate diesel Mondeo (older shape, estate) for £3.1k with 94k on the clock. I've had it 5 months nearly and it's been a really good car so far, now gor 105k on the clock and nothing has gone wrong so far, touching wood!

Nice car to drive, plenty of space, cheap to run etc.

Not the greatest image but that doesn't really bother me.

There's a few new shape ones on Autotrader for around £7-7.5k but as you say high mileages, around 80k or so. Having said that if they've been looked after with FSH the diesel engines certainly should have a lot of life left in them.

You can buy a lemon with 30k on the clock sometimes and you may get one that can do over 200k without any real problem if looked after.

I had a petrol 1.2 Nova that did 220k before I had to scrap it!

somech

also add honda accord

LandyAndy

somech wrote: »

also add honda accord

Oi, recommending Hondas is Inactive's job.:D

AdrianHi

LandyAndy wrote: »

All of those would be decent choices.

No one will be surprised if I add the Mazda6 to the list.:D

I would recommend getting an estate. I've had them for years and they are very useful things.

I doubt anyone will be surprised if I add another Mazda6 to the list . For £7K you should be able to get the mid life update model which has improved interior, engines and suspension tweaks which if you are going for the estate is important. We test drove an early Mazda6 estate and felt the suspension overly harsh compared to the saloon and hatchback. Estate does have different rear suspension. We bought a hatchback which has an immense boot anyway. Got it new, it is 6.5 years old now and still much loved.
Stylish car with plenty of character and a sparkling drive, think Mondeo but a bit sportier and your on the right track.
Note the Mazda6 is not a re-skinned Mondeo as some say, it is an entirely different car but Ford money paid for it's development.

jaydeeuk1

I don't like boring cars, and always prefer something different.

What about an alfa 156 estate? Might not be the most reliable car in the world, but at least whilst driving you won't wish you wore a rubber that night, like you would in a VW or ford

somech

LandyAndy wrote: »

Oi, recommending Hondas is Inactive's job.:D

sorry it's just that best boring car for £7k = honda:D

emmell

Who's gonna recommend a Skoda then? Someone always does.
ML.

LandyAndy

emmell wrote: »

Who's gonna recommend a Skoda then? Someone always does.
ML.

That'll be anewman's job.;)

Woby_Tide

PeteW wrote: »

Hiya,

As we've now got two kids under the age of 15 months and are frequently having to lug a double buggy, two travels cots, and so all that jazz up to the in-laws in Manchester, we need something bigger than our Focus.

Focus Estate? (or is that too obvious?)