help me find a cheap, safe car for first time driver

lillypie

have just passed my test, am looking for a car, we r a family of 6, mum, dad and 4 kids so idealy need 6 seater, failing that 5 seats but would like the back 3 seats to have 3 point seat belts.
dont want to spend a major amount as hubbie starts new job in march , he will get company car and i will them get his.

dont car what it looks like as long as it reliable and safe.

were in the middle of buying our first home so money is tight, max spend i have is £800ish

any ideas anyone? i havnt a clue about cars

many thanks

shel x

JimmyTheWig

You would be much, much better off waiting until March.
Use your £800 to pay £60 a week on taxis for the next three months if need-be.

bigjl

A six seater for £800? Only the Fiat Multipla comes to mind, although you can get six seater version of most MPV's, normally the top spec version.

I would have to say you will struggle to get any half reasonable mpv for £800, it will either be an ex Taxi or so knackered by family life that it isn't worth having.

There is a time in a cars life when it just stops dropping in value by any large amount, and for MPV's/6 Seaters it tends to be about £1000/£1200 for anything that is still useable.

Though if you go for a five seat vehicle there is plenty of choice, but unless the company car is going to be 6 or 7 seater then the family won't fit in it. Though I have seen plenty of families in East London fit 6 or 7 people in a 5 seater car, but they are normally from a one or two minority ethnic groups from what I have witnessed over the last 15 years or so.

At the end of the day you need to save up more money, no point buying a car that you would have to operate illegally due to your family size, you can't change your requirements due to lack of funds, your requirements are what they are.

Though you might come across a Renault 21 Savanna, they came with 7 seats sometimes, as did some Volvo's and the odd Peugeot 406 Estate.

One option, though not good to drive would be the Nissan Serena, ugly and slow, but a plodder, and cheap, just make sure it isn't an ex Taxi.

spiro

Peugeot 307 also comes in 7 seater version.

Also as a new driver, what is your budget for insurance because this could restrict you more than your budget for the car.

Flying-High_2

Probably find a half decent 406 "Family" for that budget but the last 2 seats are them fold down small things in the boot... Or I'd be looking at the 806 or Citroen Synergies for that money.,

Keith

4 kids? Considered a tv?

LandyAndy

Kia Sedona? Should pick up a 9-10 year old one for 800-1000. Loads of space.

Strider590

New driver + big car.......... Where do you shop please? I want to avoid going there

jaydeeuk1

Volvo 740 7 seater. Indestructable.
Will cost another £800 a week in petrol though.

rev_henry

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Volvo 740 7 seater. Indestructable.
Will cost another £800 a week in petrol though.

I was going to say exactly that. Out of all the options people have suggested I'd say the Kia or volvo would be best. Mileage simply doesn't matter on an old volvo as long as its looked after. You should get one in budget easily as long as you don't mind the fuel bills. Alternatively try and find one that's already been converted to LPG. At the end of the day this is going to be a bit of a disposable temporary car.

[Deleted User]

Diahatsu Hijet has 6 seats. There is one on AutoTrader for £500.

I only mention it as someone along the street has just gotten one.