What should I buy

[Chicken]

My crappy Citroen has finally gone to be turned into tin cans and now I'm stuck sharing a car with my missus.
However, I've got some money put aside (£1500) and it's time to spend it wisely.
So, I'm turning to the assembled experts.
I need a reliable car, big enough for two adults and three kids, in the Hampshire area. I'd like something with a bit of poke but not thirsty. I commute approx 20 miles each way a day (combination of M-Way and urban roads), so ideally it wouldn't be to thirsty.
So, any suggestions

TIA

[eltax91]

Octavia

[krisdelta]

Ford Mondeo 2003/4 vintage? 2.0 Petrol does 35mpg, less than 10 seconds to 60, decent steer, loads of space. Plenty about too!

[Chicken]

Thanks so far. I've not seen any Octavias in my price range though. The Mondeo is a good shout, would a diesel be any good?

[krisdelta]

Chicken said:

Thanks so far. I've not seen any Octavias in my price range though. The Mondeo is a good shout, would a diesel be any good?

Plenty around, make sure it's a turbo diesel though (Not sure if all Fords are, I know VW were until recently still offering a non turbo diesel engine).

I've driven a 2.5 V6 Mondeo in the past, lovely - but heavy on fuel.

[woody2846]

Saab 9-5?

[fjord]

mx5, remapped with a (chipped)335d engine, expensive winter tyres.

[SmilerFTM]

fjord said:

mx5, remapped with a (chipped)335d engine, expensive winter tyres.

And a fitted boot rack to tie the kids onto

[V88Dicky]

Avensis 1.8 or 2.0 vvt-i

Reliable, safe, and very economical.

Here's my old 2.0CDX



And the average mpg after a 200mile mostly motorway journey;