Low cost car options

spadoosh

OH has told me i need to get a car for taking baby to nursery. Looking at options.

Not really up for something pay monthly but depends on the finance cost (dont mind 0%!).

Essentially should i go for my usual bangernomics - £500 -£2k on a car that will take a baby seat. Seen a few passats that look ok, dont know anything about the car though.

Or

Like the idea of electric car but dont think its that sensible money wise?

Or

Other option ive been looking at is something like a new Dacia Sandero (£6k) / fiat panda.

As you can probably tell im not that fussed about the car itself, mileage will rarely be more than 30 miles a day and looking for as low maintenance and running costs as possible. Ideally steering away from the hot hatch sector (a bit more roomy, sandero probably smallest i would go though that is quite small).

So budget for cash £500 - £2k.
Finance (very low cost) upto £6k.

What would you buy for a small family? Bear in mind the buggy doesnt fit in OH's peugeot 207 (split over boot and back seat).

Always liked focii, which i think will be my go to fall back option.

Thanks for any help/advice.

glentoran99

I love my clio, and can easily transport two kids in it

spadoosh

And here i get picky! Had a couple of the older ones was thinking something a little bit bigger.

foxy-stoat

Honda Civic 8 gen is my choice and would recommend them. My '08 2.2d cost £2200, is serving me well.

Big boot, you can fold half of the back seats down if needed or fold the back seat bottom up to give more room, there is also space under the back seats for storage as well.

At this level, buy private with low owners, try and get one thats been owned by the same person for a few years and serviced reguarly.

andrewf75

You probably need to be a bit more specific about size of car and your budget.

Virtually every car will take a baby seat and a buggy in the boot. I’m amazed you can’t get it in a Peugeot 206.

spadoosh

Its a 207 so think its bigger boot but no definitely doesnt go in the boot, parcel shelf has to be removed for the frame and the seat bit has to be in the back seat of car.

Size of car im looking at is something 5dr focus size or bigger. Budget is £500-£2k cash upto £6k for something as close to new and has cheap finance available.


Dont know why had it in my head that civics arent that good, will read more in to them.

foxy-stoat

spadoosh wrote: »

Dont know why had it in my head that civics arent that good, will read more in to them.

I used to swear by mk4 golf 1.9tdi until my last one messed up in every department, this Civic popped up and cant recommend then enough. EX model gets a heated seats and nice stereo with sat nav, but I bought the base model and spent £300 on a double din headunit with bluetooth and ipod controls.

Diesels had issues with clutches but petrols seem to be very good.

andrewf75

You clearly have a massive buggy then!
If you want lots of space have a look at a Skoda Octavia
Civics are definitely good. Honda's are well known for reliability.

scaredofdebt

If you are only buying a car to take the baby to nursery, can I ask is this every day and how far is the journey?

Buying a car for that is very expensive, a taxi might be cheaper depending on distance etc.

Even the very cheapest banger is likely to cost a total of over £100 a month even for a short daily trip.

EdGasket

Low cost = Kia Rio or Carens, Chevrolet Lacetti or Tacuma; all low cost for what you get.

foxy-stoat

EdGasket wrote: »

Low cost = Kia Rio or Carens, Chevrolet Lacetti or Tacuma; all low cost for what you get.

Carens is a big car for the money, budget for a gearbox or two.