First car for someone with children - low budget

[Bennyjames28]

Other half is taking her driving test before Xmas, and I am on the look out for a car

Been nearly 30 she isn't a young driver but insurance is still going to be a concern when deciding on a first car.

She used to seem really picky when it comes to cars she can't have a st car it has to be this or that... But as shes done her lessons her perspective is probably slightly more realistic and I think she will just be happy to have a car.

I've suggested with it been her first car for the first few years of driving she needs to make it cheap, buy a cheap car, lower insurance, low depreciation. Don't waste thousands as a new driver, that money can buy a better car when insurance costs go down.

The car needs to be:

- Safe, 4 or 5 star safety rating
- Low insurance group
- Space for driver and 3 children
- Low depreciation
- Budget around 1500, could go higher

So far I have been considering and am starting to keep an eye out for:

- Toyota Yaris 1.0 5dr
- Mitsubishi Colt
- Ford fiesta Mk7 (3k+ budget for these)
- Ford focus MK2 1.6 petrol (insurance would be higher)
- Honda civic 2006 onwards 1.4 petrol

Other suggestions are welcome.

Suggestions:

- Nissan note

Edited by Bennyjames28 on Thursday 29th November 20:20

[Jonny_]

Any Nissan Notes dropping into that price range yet? Great little things for ferrying kids about.

[oldcynic]

You haven't mentioned what she's comfortable driving and where she'll be driving - long distance, local school run, town or country, motorway or narrow city streets.

Based on your budget I'm assuming you want something reliable with a low insurance cost (which would generally come with a low insurance group); however when you run the figures you may find that an aging Volvo (S60/V70) or a mid-sized Honda works out just as cheap.

[syl]

Did she like what she learned in? If so, get her one of those of appropriate age to fit the budget.

[Bennyjames28]

oldcynic said:

You haven't mentioned what she's comfortable driving and where she'll be driving - long distance, local school run, town or country, motorway or narrow city streets.

Based on your budget I'm assuming you want something reliable with a low insurance cost (which would generally come with a low insurance group); however when you run the figures you may find that an aging Volvo (S60/V70) or a mid-sized Honda works out just as cheap.

It's going to be short local journeys under 10 miles, school run, shops, not much else.

She is doing lessons in a brand new ford fiesta which she likes, a Mk7 would be a great car but they are expensive even the older ones from that generation go for 3k or more. For 3k I could buy a Yaris and pay for first years insurance.

A Nissan note can get added to the list!

[flatso]

How old are the kids?
All of the options you mentioned are WAAY TOO SMALL for 3 children.
Look into these:

Mazda 5- sliding rear doors (ultra practical), great mazda 3 chassis
Previous gen Renault Espace short wheelbase. They are amazing cars to ride in, and much more reliable then their reputation, especially towards the end of their production run.
Citroen Berlingo- sliding doors, loads of space and good visibility.

[Bennyjames28]

2, 8, 10

Thinking her driving, 2 kids in back and one in front. If ever I am with them then we would be in my car anyway which is bigger.

[300bhp/ton]

Small cars are usually quite often a lot more to insure than bigger cars. You also tend to get a lot less small car for your money at the cheap end of the used car market.

Well worth checking some prices. A few years back a friend discovered a 2.6 Audi A6 was substantially cheaper to insure than a 1.4 Corsa.

I’d also recommend a bigger car for a new driver. Driving small cars just makes people afraid of bigger cars later on and usually makes people worse at parking.

Something Chrysler Voyager would probably make for a good family sized vehicle. Very practical too.

Or maybe something like a Volve 960. Awesome practical cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say this is Mazda3 territory they're similar a decent size & a sensible size, as others have said look at Mondeo's etc as they're a good option & the children won't be getting smaller.

Mazda3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda5 Sport yes it's bigger than a Fiesta but after driving it for a week the size will be a non issue

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Vectra lots of space reliable & should be sensible on insurance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[FlatToTheMat]

Blimey, we had a kid on the way and I was wondering if a 7seater Santa Fe was going to be big enough!

Honestly though I think your shortlisted cars are too pokey for 3 kids new driver or not, only way for her to get comfortable driving a larger car is owning one!

I seem to constantly suggest these but a 1.8/2.0 Mk3 mondeo hatch. Reliable, not all that big these days, narrow and easy to place. Huge boot and spacious in the back. Plenty to choose from

My first though was the Mazda5 however rear accommodation is strangely small, more of a 2+2+2 not suitable imho

Honda FRV to me at least appears to be the perfect solution
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Very practical layout, individual seats, all suitable for adults. They don’t have a much larger footprint than something like a maxda3 but with the benefit of a glasshouse platform

Edited by FlatToTheMat on Thursday 29th November 22:47

[Mr Tidy]

Just a thought, but if you do decide on a Fiesta or similar just make sure it has 5 doors - it's so much easier for getting the little uns into child seats!

I know a Honda Civic has been suggested, but might a Jazz be an option?

[ninjag]

You mentioned a Yaris, up until 2001 they were very reliable and built in Japan before moving to France. I had a 2001 Yaris for my wife as she's not a confident driver so cheap and reliable was the way to go. But, it didn't have any traction control or stability aids etc. Very easy to spin on greasy surfaces or negative cambers. Replaced it with a fairly new Suzuki Swift and when driving at those places where the Yaris would lose it, you can actually feel the Swift's traction control working to keep it pointing the right way. Worth bearing in mind if going for an older car and loading it with children.

[kieranblenk]

I'll never understand people who say that a small car is too small for a runabout when you have a couple of kids and a bigger car for holidays/days out etc. Maybe we just travelled light but as kids the biggest car my dad had was an Altea and he downsized partway through as we weren't using the space.

I can recommend the Suzuki Splash for your partner OP, they're very reliable, cheap to run and huge inside for such a small car. Not much boot and it's not the prettiest but if you get the 1.2 it's very nippy.

[nmd87]

Another vote for the Nissan Note. Quite spacious inside. We've had two, and no issues with either of them.

[Pistonheader101]

Do you still have your avensis - remember you posting that you were getting one?

[SD_1]

FlatToTheMat said:

I seem to constantly suggest these but a 1.8/2.0 Mk3 mondeo hatch. Reliable, not all that big these days, narrow and easy to place. Huge boot and spacious in the back. Plenty to choose from

That is where my money would go - £1,500 will get you a very nice one, and they are reliable as well as practical. Watch for rust on the bottom of the doors. Most will have a small clunk from the back which is usually a loose hand brake cable.

[300bhp/ton]

ninjag said:

You mentioned a Yaris, up until 2001 they were very reliable and built in Japan before moving to France. I had a 2001 Yaris for my wife as she's not a confident driver so cheap and reliable was the way to go. But, it didn't have any traction control or stability aids etc. Very easy to spin on greasy surfaces or negative cambers. Replaced it with a fairly new Suzuki Swift and when driving at those places where the Yaris would lose it, you can actually feel the Swift's traction control working to keep it pointing the right way. Worth bearing in mind if going for an older car and loading it with children.

????

You were spinning out in a fwd Yaris?

[dmsims]

kieranblenk said:

I'll never understand people who say that a small car is too small for a runabout when you have a couple of kids and a bigger car for holidays/days out etc.

Yes I wish someone would explain it to me (having had 2 children)

4 adults in a Yaris with zero issues!

[RizzoTheRat]

Jazz or Note would be my first choice for a smallish car with plenty of space inside.

[Tyre Smoke]

Petrol Citroen C5 estate, or 407SW or Mondeo estate.

Stop messing with small, small cars. And at £1500 anything is going to have done 99% of it's depreciation.