Recommendations for family cars?

chickaroonee

Hi there

Not posted on this board before

We have a little one due any day and it has only just occurred to us that our cars are far too small really, both DH and I have a small car which can barely fit the pram in

Anyway, we think we'll sell one car and look to buy a bigger, family car. However I have absolutely no idea on which make/model might be a good idea for us. If money was no object we would like a Golf but we can't stretch to that. I don't want a big people carrier or anything like that, just a car that can fit baby/child stuff and our weekly shop in! Preferably an economical car too. Not 100% sure of budget, but around 5k I guess.

If anyone can recommend types of car that would be great, at least then I can read up on a few and do some research on prices etc...at the minute I have no idea where to start!

Thanks.

Kilty_2

Vauxhall Vectra. Lot of car for the money and all the space you'll need

chickaroonee

Kilty wrote: »

Vauxhall Vectra. Lot of car for the money and all the space you'll need

Thanks, do you know if they're quite economical? I think we're in for a shock on running costs going from a 1.2 small car :rotfl:

MX5huggy

If you really want a Golf then get a golf there are 1,647 golfs on auto trader for between £3k and £5k.

Don't really really recommend a Golf (nor a Vectra it's varst!).

ciano125

I was just about to say Vectra too. Five grand should get you a three year old if you're lucky, certainly a four year old though. The 1.8 petrol engine should be ok for about 30 to 35mpg, maybe a bit more if you do mostly motorway miles. There are hundreds to choose from so be picky.

chickaroonee

MX5huggy wrote: »

If you really want a Golf then get a golf there are 1,647 golfs on auto trader for between £3k and £5k.

Don't really really recommend a Golf (nor a Vectra it's varst!).

I don't know what varst means, sorry

Why would you not recommend a Golf, out of interest? I've not checked autotrader yet, but guessing at that price they're a bit older..I think we'd prefer a newer car if possible.

NEH

My mum's Vectra which she has just sold would have fetched about £4500 on the private market and her's was 5 years old, very low mileage and in good nick...

So if you go for a Vectra aim for 4/5 years old, you won't get a 3 year old for that price unless it's done a few miles...

Parker's is always a good site to start with in terms of getting an idea of which car to go for... https://www.parkers.co.uk

Kilty_2

Wouldn't buy a Golf for that money, they'll be very tired....

chickaroonee

Kilty wrote: »

Wouldn't buy a Golf for that money, they'll be very tired....

That was my gut feeling but haven't researched it yet.

[Deleted User]

I thought only arrogant knobs drove Golfs?

daveyjp

Don't leap yet - it will be cheaper to buy a pram which fits the cars you have. Wait a few months and see how you manage.

If you do mainly local trips and the shopping there's no need for a large car. Our Aygo is used for all our local trips and has done since our daughter was 6 months old - no problem fitting things in.

Also don't believe a large car has more space. They have longer bonnets as the engine is larger, they have larger boots and they are wider, but cabin space can be no more than a smaller car.

I swapped an A3 Sportback last year (slightly larger than a Golf) as compared to my wife's Aygo the rear legroom was inadequate. If we left space for my daughter to sit in her car seat so she could stretch her legs the passenger seat was so far forward the passenger's knees were up against the glovebox.

If you want to change consider a Skoda Octavia - a Golf with a massive boot.