Cheap Family Runaround

[CMacC]

With used car prices at an all time high, I've decided to sell our family 335d back to BMW for a good price, and use the cash to kick start my business after COVID
Now ploughing the Classifieds to find a cheap family runaround for less than £5k that will carry 2 young kids and all of their paraphernalia - The 335d was borderline too small......any suggestions welcomed - PS my wife prefers Automatic

[CMacC]

MattyD803 said:

Its going to be an older car for £5k....so bills of some sort are inevitable......however, I'd suggest you can at least minimise those by going with something properly Japanese and steer clear of French or Italian motors. I think Honda / Lexus / Subaru are probably the way to go, and take the bullet on fuel economy. Something owned by an older gent (as ours had been) with Full dealer history would be the sweet spot, IMO.

It may just be down to personal opinion, and i'm not trying to be rude or condescending, but i'd much rather have my family wrapped up in a decent spec Japanese SUV with all the driving aids and safety gear (our CRV had adaptive HIDS, parking cam, sensors all round, collision mitigation and 10 air bags for example) than a budget Renault, regardless of how fuel efficient or cheap on tax it was. Having been in a couple of 2017 onwards Dacia dusters, they really are a world apart from the sort of cars we're talking about above......and especially if you've got to contend with a wiggle stick and third pedal to worry about whilst you navigate the sainsburies supermarket in the rain whilst the kids are kicking off in the back etc etc

But that is just my opinion based on life experience with 2 little uns.

NOTE: Yes I am whole heartedly awaiting the gunning down for having owned/recommended a fuel heavy SUV. Sorry Greta / True PH'ers.

Edited by MattyD803 on Tuesday 15th June 11:51

I always start off looking at Focus tdci's, and end up looking at high mileage Ravne Rover TDV8's!!
Currently looking at an e250 bluetec estate, freelander 2 and a focus 1.6 - The thing is that it's not going to do many miles, so fuel economy isnt an issue, but I don't want to buy into big repair bills like I would with a 200k mile range rover v8 diesel!!