Good family car for 3k?

[Pazzify]

Hi guys, newbie here.

After a few years of buying old bangers, thought it was a good time to now buy a car I can use forThanks! few years.what cars would you recommend for around £3000?

Am looking at a Mercedes C Class Coupe 02 plate with 66k miles if anyone knows much about them and if they're worth it.

Thabksa

[rb5er]

Volvo S60.

Those Mercs are terribly problematic.

[sparks_E39]

E46 3 Series or E39 5 Series.

[sparks_E39]

E46 3 Series or E39 5 Series.

[Pazzify]

rb5er said:

Volvo S60.

Those Mercs are terribly problematic.

A few people have mentioned Volvo's as great cars, will take a look.

Are Mercs really problematic? Heard nothing but good things about them, especially if they are an automatic.

[gaz1234]

volvo

[Poison Tom 96]

Volvo

[Pazzify]

gaz1234 said:

volvo

A lot of love for the volvo!

Any Merc enthusiasts out there? Good value in the C class coupes for 3k?

[Matt UK]

B5.5 passat

[leefee]

2004 m/y omward legacy, saloons cheap as chips, 2.5 manuals an easy 35mpg average, se has high spec all are 4x4 and last forever, always driven by nice people, or as said s60 or s80.

[leefee]

2004 m/y omward legacy, saloons cheap as chips, 2.5 manuals an easy 35mpg average, se has high spec all are 4x4 and last forever, always driven by nice people, or as said s60 or s80.

[Andy665]

Saab 9-5 Aero - plenty of power, plenty of equipment, good reliability record and dirt cheap

Recently picked up a 92k example, FSH, 11 months MOT, 5 months tax, loaded with equipment that all still works all for £1200

Bought as a family barge, stupidly comfortable and averages 35mpg on a run

[ben5732]

Volvo but in V70 form if it's a family car. T5 recommended for smiles per gallon

[JimClark49]

Mondeo ST TDCI.
Awesome balanced handling for such a big car.

[okie592]

my mum has a c220 cdi coupe for the last 3 years and its been great, wouldnt call it a family car though, not alot of room in the back what so ever.

any medium size car would fit your bill really, volvo, top spec mondeo, passat?

[ben5732]

For the love of god don't get an 05+ passat! If you consider one just hand me your bank details now. Nothing but problems that car.

[Barchettaman]

Petrol Zafira.

[Sifly]

ben5732 said:

For the love of god don't get an 05+ passat! If you consider one just hand me your bank details now. Nothing but problems that car.

The older shape (up to 05) is a cracker. I've just sold an 05 tdi estate with 135k on it for £2600. The car was immaculate and drove like new. The old 1.9 tdi's are bullet proof and will do 50MPG all day long. Proper old school VW build quality and reliability.
The newer shape are excellent cars also, but do have a few common (and expensive to fix) issues.

I've had a V70, nice car but again not as reliable as you might think and pricey to repair.
Also had a few E46 BMW's. Good cars but lots of issues with suspension, brakes, air bags and rusting arches!
Don't buy anything French!

For me, audi A4, A6 or passat 1.9 TDi

[billzeebub]

Saab 93/95

[schmalex]

I would have to agree on the Passat.

I bought one for my Mother last year - 04 plate, 2.0 petrol (to keep things as simple as possible), 40k on the clock for £3.5k. It has been absolutely perfect for her and will go on and on and on with regular oil changes. It's also pretty nice to drive!