Reliable family car up to £6500

[SidewaysSi]

As the title, I am after something reliable (very high priority) and safe for the family. Probably looking at around a 2006 car.

The car will be in the wife's name and insured by her (she is a very new driver and auto only). We have just had a kid and so need something big enough for all his clobber and given i want this to be in the family for a few years, I don't want to grow out of it. Possibilities are:

-2003-2005 Honda Accord. Reliable buy perhaps a little dull?

- 2005 Lexus IS 250. Nice looking, well made (though think there are engine issues). Pricey parts? No estate version.

- 2003-2006 BMW E60/E61. Big enough but do I need a Touring? The complexity scares me a little.

-2005 ish Mercedes E Class. I loved my old W124 and a base spec E200 definitely appeals. As above, do I need the estate? Were the rust issues fixed by then and are they reliable?

2006 ish BMW E90/E91 - Looking at a petrol but are they big enough? Maybe a decent enough steer and seemingly reliable?

Any thoughts or other ideas? Don't fancy chucking this cash on a Mondeo/Insignia etc.

[Nickp82]

Volvo V70?

[SL22]

I can comment on the second on your list as I've had one for about a year. The 2.5 V6 is nice enough, but was never going to sound as good as the V8s that I had prior to getting the IS. There are issues with the diesel but the 250 petrol in auto is pretty much as reliable as you'll get. In the right spec (say SE-L with the ML sound system) it's a very nice place to be with an absolute load of kit. The only thing that I've come to dislike about the car, which may be relevant to you is that the rear seats don't fold so limits practicality, otherwise the actual boot is about average for a 4-door saloon. A few specific things to check, are brake calipers that stick and are a but pricey, and the exhaust which is a dealer only (mega £s) unless you get a bespoke one.

[hyphen]

how much are the 2007/8 Qashqai's nowadays?

Otherwise a Honda/Toyota would be in my aim for reliability

[Jag_NE]

main dealer, 30k miles petrol auto avensis for 7k on autotrader, Bromsgrove Toyota main dealer, high spec. 2009 model.

you will likely get a 1 year no quibble warranty too.

[SidewaysSi]

Thanks all for the input. Interesting re the IS 250. We do need the practicality so will have to see what I think of that.

V70s have auto gearbox problems so I am staying clear?

As for the Quashqai and Avensis - I just can't buy one! Much as it is the sensible car, I will drive it some of the time and need something vaguely intestine if possible...

[DSLiverpool]

For exactly the same reasons plus school run we have a 2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 that I have adopted full time and love it - paid £3500 on 60k

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a reliable family car don't discount the Mondeo either in 2.3 N/A form or 2.0T form these cars are also a good steer, also I have to say most cars in this class are reliable as these were fleet cars they couldn't afford not to be.

2008 2.3 Titanium X 22k 160bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2011 Titanium 2.0T Ecoboost (same engine as the ST Focus) 205bhp 26k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 Titanium X Sport 200bhp (you'll have to haggle hard to get this one on budget) 63k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero 210bhp 40k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2011 Mazda 6 2.0 Sport 150bhp 58k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 TS2 Mazda 6 25k 150bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 Accord EX 155bhp 48k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2009 Insignia Elite 220bhp 37k (apparently not a great drive)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[SidewaysSi]

Plenty of good suggestions, thanks. The Legacy sounds great but no doubt a bit of a fuel cost.

Mondeo makes sense but I can't seem to want to spend that sort of cash on one.

Think I will go to a car supermarket and try a few for size then make a decision.

[ZX10R NIN]

SidewaysSi said:

Plenty of good suggestions, thanks. The Legacy sounds great but no doubt a bit of a fuel cost.

Mondeo makes sense but I can't seem to want to spend that sort of cash on one.

Think I will go to a car supermarket and try a few for size then make a decision.

Si you badge Snob

[ITP]

Civic 1.8 petrol auto should do the trick. Probably 09/10 for 6.5k. Or a petrol CRV auto.
IS250 great but not so practical space wise.

[SidewaysSi]

ZX10R NIN said:

SidewaysSi said:

Plenty of good suggestions, thanks. The Legacy sounds great but no doubt a bit of a fuel cost.

Mondeo makes sense but I can't seem to want to spend that sort of cash on one.

Think I will go to a car supermarket and try a few for size then make a decision.

Si you badge Snob

I'm really not at all but I have come close to buying Mondeos on a couple of occasions for shed money! I should get one and know they are decent to drive but I just can't get excited about them at all.

And to prove it, why does the 2008 Citroen C5 seem a lovely thing? Would be a brilliant car - a properly comfortable machine has huge appeal but I did say reliable...And not sure about resale ability either.

[ZX10R NIN]

I was teasing but I will say the Mondeo ticks a lot of boxes. C5? Is it this one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2005 C200 Estate 34k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...