Car recommendation help

Nicklt

Hi,

We have a baby due in sept, this will be our second (also have a 7 y/o). Our car at the moment is a Chevrolet Aveo, which is fine for us be it a little small.

The pushchair fits in the boot but you won't get anything else in there - because of this I think we need a bigger car.

Issue is budget is a bit tight, I can probably get £1600 p/x on mine or £2300 if I sell privately.

So, first question, is it best to p/x or sell privately.

Second my budget would be no more than £3000.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a reliable family car that would be big neough boots space for pushchair and shopping. I understand with such a small budget the offerings will be slim but I don't want anything too old, say no more than 8-9 years. And something realiable that will last for a good few years yet.

Thanks.

Marktheshark

How many miles a week on average ?
If fuel is not a huge factor the market opens up to some real bargains.

Nicklt

Around 70 a week, I'm factoring in day trips out etc split across the year.

BeenThroughItAll

Under 4K miles a year? Get a nice E39 540i touring for 3K.

wiltsguy_2

have to agree, BMW 3 or 5 series touring(estate) or an Audi A4 estate diesel.

Avoid Vauxhall, ford or french.

marlot

A petrol estate sounds ideal. Cheaper to buy than a diesel, and probably much more reliable.

Perhaps a Honda Accord or Toyota Avensis.

Don't be too quick to ignore petrol Mondeos. I gave a 1996 2.0 estate to a friend in 2004. It's still running with no major repairs needed yet. He's found it excellent for his three children - even for holidays.

BeenThroughItAll

wiltsguy wrote: »

have to agree, BMW 3 or 5 series touring(estate) or an Audi A4 estate diesel.

Avoid Vauxhall, ford or french.

I'd caution strongly against a diesel with that annual mileage. At 10miles a day, assuming that's split into two trips of 5 miles each, the thing will never warm up properly, which will mean greater wear, condensation and subsequent acid contamination in the block, clogged EGR, manifold and turbo vanes, etc.


Treat yourself. Get a V8. At current costs, running at 20mpg vs 40mpg will only cost you ~£400 a year extra, and you'll get a much nicer specified, lower mileage, newer 20mpg car than you will a 40mpg car because demand is so much lower (very fag-packet costings, obviously).

forgotmyname

Nobody suggested a Mondeo estate yet?

Enough room for the pushchairs and kids and shopping and everything really. Its a big boot.

agrinnall

forgotmyname wrote: »

Nobody suggested a Mondeo estate yet?

Enough room for the pushchairs and kids and shopping and everything really. Its a big boot.

Posted 3 hours 20 minutes before you...

marlot wrote: »

Don't be too quick to ignore petrol Mondeos. I gave a 1996 2.0 estate to a friend in 2004. It's still running with no major repairs needed yet. He's found it excellent for his three children - even for holidays.