Reliable, safe and baby friendly, but under £1.5k

[Snails]

Some good friends of mine are in need of a new used car. They have an '11 plate Fiesta, but need a second car after getting rid of their hellish and on finance Kia Picanto.

They have a 7 month old baby, so on the occasions when one of them doesn't have access to the Fiesta, but has the baby they want a safe car in which to carry the baby. They'd also like one that doesn't cost a whole lot to run. They aren't bothered by performance and based on the picanto, not too fussed about looks.

Any suggestions in the region of £1.5k?

Thanks

[hornetrider]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[Daaaveee]

Fabia?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2844370.htm

Recently got one for the fiancée and it feels pretty solid.

[SD1992]

hornetrider said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Are the automatic gearboxes in those not riddled with problems?

OP, what about a Mondeo?

[left to right]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2901301.htm and a fk load of bubble wrap.

[5lab]

clio was the first car to get 5* ncap result iirc. something like this would seem to tick the boxes

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

otherwise, mk3 mondeo\vectra petrol. More pricey to run, but bigger so better in a smash. petrol models go for peanuts, no pricey diesel faults


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[hornetrider]

SD1992 said:

hornetrider said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Are the automatic gearboxes in those not riddled with problems?

Nope.

[chickenkebab]

5lab said:

clio was the first car to get 5* ncap result iirc. something like this would seem to tick the boxes

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

5* eh..?

[chrisispringles]

Volvo 850?

[SD1992]

hornetrider said:

Nope.

I am sure I read somewhere that they had these "sealed for life" transmissions so the oil in them never gets changed, does that sound right?

[hornetrider]

SD1992 said:

hornetrider said:

Nope.

I am sure I read somewhere that they had these "sealed for life" transmissions so the oil in them never gets changed, does that sound right?

Think so. You can change it if you like though, an indy will do the job. They are certainly not 'riddled with problems'.

[jbi]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Petrol, 91,000 miles, Metallic Silver. Power assisted steering, Air conditioning, Leather upholstery, Extra seats, Driver airbag, Passenger airbag, Side airbags, Electric windows, Electric sunroof, Electric mirrors, Central locking, Radio/CD, Cruise control, Roof rails, Alloy wheels, ABS, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Head restraints, Front fog lights. Insurance Group:14, A superb driving Volvo V70 fitted with rear facing stow away child seats and has been in the keeping of the last lady owner since October 2004.

£1,495

[Mr2Mike]

chickenkebab said:

5* eh..?

What's the relevance of that picture? You can get any car to badly deform given a high enough and appropriately located impact, irrespective of the number of NCAP stars.

[Carl_Spackler]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2843947.htm



Another Sweede

[Mr2Mike]

jbi said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Are 2.4L automatic Volvos cheap to run? I'd expect that to be pretty thirsty going on the kind of mileage the manual ones achieve.

[jbi]

Mr2Mike said:

What's the relevance of that picture? You can get any car to badly deform given a high enough and appropriately located impact, irrespective of the number of NCAP stars.

Honda jazz does well in NCAP tests vs a wall, but crumples like a coke can against it's larger brother (accord)

Expect similar results in clio vs laguna

etc

[jbi]

Mr2Mike said:

Are 2.4L automatic Volvos cheap to run? I'd expect that to be pretty thirsty going on the kind of mileage the manual ones achieve.

Indeed, but there are manual version ones out there, as well as diesel examples.

Just an example car, but worth keeping an eye out for different trim levels

[SD1992]

hornetrider said:

Think so. You can change it if you like though, an indy will do the job. They are certainly not 'riddled with problems'.

Ah ok. Perhaps not my best phrasing ever

[pixieporsche]

I'd be looking at the following:

A lot of car for the cash, probably with some to spare - Jaguar XJ40 or X300
Great workhorses - BMW E34 / E39 5 Series
See above but with added space - BMW 7 Series
Classic choice - Rover P6 / Triumph 2000/2500
Ideal it theres a dog too - Volvo 850 / V70

[thinfourth2]

Baby friendly?



Landrover

Hose out interior