Used car prices

strawb_shortcake

So i have mentioned my current problem on the forum, but not directly asked the question.
I need a new car, not in a massive hurry to buy but don't want to leave it to last minute and buy something in a rush. 
I need something to seat 5, 2 adults 3 children (10, 15, 16) though the eldest rarely comes out with us now. I'd rather avoid Vauxhall's as my last 4 cars have been Vauxhall, and my Husband doesn't want French.
I was hoping to spend £4-5k, but looking locally Bristol/Gloucester it seems that I'd be looking at 59/60 plate typically with high mileage. I do not want to spend £5k on a 10 year old car.
I have seen a 66 C-Max for around £9k, which I think makes more sense than buying what I'd seen in my budget, but my Husband doesn't agree, and thinks I should go older and cheaper. 
We could spend £9k as we have more than that in joint savings, but we aren't in agreement on spending that much. 
I also don't want to go into debt for a car, or pay monthly as I am the only earner in the household and I'm very much debt adverse. 
So my question is, is my budget of  £5k realistic in terms of what I'd like to get? I really do feel as though I'm missing something when looking at cars online.
I've not seen many private sales come up since lockdown, but my gut feeling is hold a couple of weeks to see what the market does as we come out of this. 

Thank you

AdrianC

Big tall sprogbuses and softroaders are fashionable. You want maximum bang-for-buck, go unfashionable.

There's plenty of 2013-15 Mondeos in your price range. Good few Passats, and probably other similar.

Goudy

What about something like a Skoda Octavia Estate? Even the Hatchback version is pretty roomy. 
Or what about a Toyota Auris Estate?
Both are pretty legendary for reliability. 
You should be able to pick up a decent one of either within budget.

AdrianC

Auris is a size smaller - Focus-sized, rather than Mondeo. Three grown-adult-sized people would be a heck of a squeeze.

macman

If you are going full-on unfashionable, the Nissan Pulsar has class-leading rear legroom. I only know 'cos I once sat in one by mistake when viewing a Qashqai...

strawb_shortcake

Thank you, I can do unfashionable according to my husband and children I manage it most days  🙂
I'd be quite happy with a Skoda so will keep looking, just seems to be a glut of roller skate type cars for sale by me

AdrianC

The nice thing about cars... they're easily portable from place to place... Don't just look "by you".

strawb_shortcake

AdrianC said:

The nice thing about cars... they're easily portable from place to place... Don't just look "by you".

I have been looking slightly further afield, my Sister has gone quite a distance to pick up cars in the past

Boa21

Shame to exclude French. I'm on my 3rd Citroen picasso and love it. My boys are both over 6 foot 3!

Petriix

I'd be looking at overall cost of ownership over, say, 5 years. Get something economical with 0 or £30 VED (tax) and fuel costs will also be low.

[Deleted User]

French cars are pretty reliable nowadays as are most cars. Some are made in the same factories as other so-called reliable makes.