economic family car?

NumptyMum

I've never owned a car, having shared a car with a friend for the past 10 years (Census return - how many cars do you have use of: answer, 1/2). However we're probably moving in the near future, so we're going to need our own car. The current car we drive is an ancient (but lovely, good running) Subaru, which has been reliable to start and so far good to us. However it came from my friend's parents, so we knew it was a good deal.

So - should I continue to go with Bangernomics and get an old used car, if so any guidance on make/models that are reliable and not too expensive to run? Does this work out better or worse with insurance companies?

Do I go upmarket, and spend a bit more to get a newer model of car (I've got money in my ISA, could go up to £5k; otherwise could get a loan but never done that before!). If so, any suggestions for what we could get?

Or do we look at leasing a car?

I'll need the car to get to my (part-time) work from where we're thinking of moving to; my other half will probably still cycle to his work. Other than that, we use it to drive to parents for holidays/visits a few times a year.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated! Thanks.

Chimpofdoom

Well it's a tough call really...

With a banger, you could get a great car that will provide a few years of service with minimal fuss.. but then you could also get someone else's problems and find it to be a nightmare and get another car.

Buying something a little better is obviously more costly, but then could have less problems.

Ah the joys of car ownership. Msn had a little article on reliable used cars under £5000, worth checking out link

I'm in a similar situation myself, do I A. repair old reliable enough to pass MOT etc and save for her eventual replacement

OR

Bight the bullet and buy a used car that will be future proof enough until it's replacement.. so far I'm leaning towards the former..

Japanese cars are generally a good source of reliable motoring!

NumptyMum

Chimpofdoom wrote: »

Ah the joys of car ownership. Msn had a little article on reliable used cars under £5000, worth checking out MSN link (not allowed to quote this as I'm a new user!)

Just had a look at that link... not sure that a Rolls Royce would go down so well as a family car around Glasgow!

Chimpofdoom

NumptyMum wrote: »

Just had a look at that link... not sure that a Rolls Royce would go down so well as a family car around Glasgow!

Hehe, well depends if your driving around the west end it might be! God knows the street my ex lived on, they were all driving Chelsea tractors

Nissan cars are generally worth looking at. My old Primera was a reliable work horse until it started hitting 130k on the clock.

harz99

Looking on Autotrader a 07 or 08 Kia Ceed 1.4/1.6 petrol could be had for around £4500/£5000. If your not image conscious should be reliable and have the benefit of some of the makers 7 year warranty left. Also has the benefit of chain cam engines!

NumptyMum

harz99 wrote: »

Looking on Autotrader a 07 or 08 Kia Ceed 1.4/1.6 petrol could be had for around £4500/£5000. If your not image conscious should be reliable and have the benefit of some of the makers 7 year warranty left. Also has the benefit of chain cam engines!

Thanks for that suggestion, never would have thought of a Kia but the What Car review is quite good .

rob7475

You should be able to get a Renault megane, under 3 year old for £5000 - £5500.

I bought one in september 2010 on an 08 plate (2.5 year old). It's a 1.5 diesel and is a 'tech run' model so has auto wipers, lights, cruise control, climate control, ipod connection and a panoramic roof. This cost me £5500 through a private seller. It had done 40,000 miles when i bought it and i've put another 15'000 with no problems whatsoever.

It's very economical, averaging between 55-60mpg with a mix of town and motorway driving -if i stick to 65 on motorways and dual carriageways, i easily get 65mpg!

A lot of people will slate the meganes, but the revised models from 2006 have very few problems and the diesel engines are fantastic. The dashboard can be a bit rattly on some, but some silicone spary between panels soon sorts that.

Look for a dynamique model or 'tech run as these have more kit than the basic expression model and are better value for money and easier to sell on.

Rob

Idiophreak

Should be able to get a Honda Jazz 2-3 years old for 4-5k.

Great little, practical cars - easy to drive, easy to park, cheap to run, really spacious...I love mine to bits

bigjl

Don't forget that older Subarus, especially the unfashionable Legacys made up till 2004 are rock solid but mega cheap.

The newer ones are a nicer drive and you have a choice of lots for your £5000.

But if you can get an older one that will last just aswell then why not, a good Legacy should be around for under £2000.

Don't buy one that looks abused, Subaru parts aren't cheap.

Though I have only ever had niggles with my Subarus, all fully fixed under the warranty, and nobody I know has ever had one break down, other than clutch problems when they abused the clutch on a WRX.

If you can find an Impreza estate in the later shape, from 2001 onwards I think, they are another bargain.

As far as the Legacy goes, buy an Estate aswell.

For the miles you do the economy should be ok, but if you are lucky there are some out there with LPG, there is a lot of talk about needed Flashlube to prevent top end wear, valve seats, so if you go down LPG route make sure it has used additive or has Flashlube fitted.

A mate had to replace 2 valves on his Legacy ('96 that he imported from Japan himself) burn out, but he had done 80k on LPG by that time, the car had never caused him any other problem and he gambled that there would be no problems with his top end, he now has Flashlube fitted though!

He isn't getting a new car till it hits 200k.

Then he will replace it with a newer Legacy.

NumptyMum

bigjl wrote: »

Don't forget that older Subarus, especially the unfashionable Legacys made up till 2004 are rock solid but mega cheap.

It's a Legacy that we have just now, I love it but given I'm sharing with a friend and it belonged to her parents, I think she has first dibs on taking it on, so we're having to look at getting another car. It's the risk of getting a dodgy Subaru that would put me off, as I know the parts aren't cheap - but the one we have is 1994 and very reliable.

bigjl

As long as an older Subaru has got proper service history then it will be a good long term ownership project.

I have driven 3 year old new shape Legacy's with 140k on the clock that drove like new.

A knackered Subaru is normally easy to spot, they tend to get abused and used as cheap vans or used for dog duties.

Just have a look at what you can get for the money, no car comes close for value, other cars in the same price range are far more likely to be troublesome.