Advice on our first family car please!

[RacingGreen0001]

Hello - really struggling to find my way and make a clear decision. I have a £10K budget to replace my Polo as our new family car.

I'd be super grateful for some suggestions - there is just so much choice :

1. Reliable auto gearbox
2. Will have the odd 100 mile motorway trip per month or so - probably 8-10k miles per annum
3. Saloon - but will consider a hatchback with reasonably sized boot
4. Will consider most marques but I'm really looking for most bang for my buck (more features trump the badge for me)
5. Must be relatively easy to park (so sensors would be ideal)
6. Easy to get the car seat in/out from - so ideally, 5-door

I've considered the :

1. 3 series
2. Octavia
3. Yeti

Thanks in advance for your help -

A.

[quinny100]

I would go for a late (2011-2014) Mk4.5 Mondeo Titanium X Sport with the 2.0 Ecoboost engine.

They are all automatics. Gearbox is reliable provided it is serviced correctly every 3 years. Very high spec, the only option worth seeking out is Sat Nav. The graphics are dated now but functionally the units are very good and it usually adds the reversing camera as well. Boot is cavernous on the hatch - much more usable than a saloon.

Only downside is they are a little thirsty - around 30MPG average - but not too bad for a 240BHP motor.

[ilikejam]

quinny100 said:

I would go for a late (2011-2014) Mk4.5 Mondeo Titanium X Sport with the 2.0 Ecoboost engine.

They are all automatics. Gearbox is reliable provided it is serviced correctly every 3 years. Very high spec, the only option worth seeking out is Sat Nav. The graphics are dated now but functionally the units are very good and it usually adds the reversing camera as well. Boot is cavernous on the hatch - much more usable than a saloon.

Only downside is they are a little thirsty - around 30MPG average - but not too bad for a 240BHP motor.

Came here to say this ↑↑↑

A bit of haggling, a bit of budget stretching...

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

[chrisch77]

Skoda Superb - you might even get one of the latest shape for your budget. We had a mk2 when our second child was born and you won't find anything with as much space for child seats as one of these!!

[GreatGranny]

OP, with that mileage a petrol makes sense but they aren't exactly common no matter which manufacturer you choose.

Mazda 6

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

A4 TFSi

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

Lexus GS

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

Merc C250

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

320i xDrive Luxury

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

[Djtemeka]

We have a 2011 Mazda 6. 2.2d. 160bhp.

Really comfy. Large boot. I’ve just packed a bugaboo pram, 2 cots, 2 large suit cases, bedding and an assortment of other crap in it and it fits.

Performance is fine. Reliability has been great. 2/3 years now and we have just had a control arm replaced as the runners are integrated. That’s maintenance though.

As long as they get a decent motorway blat, they don’t have dpf issues. I do 6-8k a year in mine. A mixture of border London traffic and motorways.

No issues.
Pretty cheap for a great but boring car

[ZX10R NIN]

As has already been said the Mondeo in Titanium X Sport trim is the one to go for, it's a better steer than the Octavia imo & a nicer place to be:

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

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

The Skoda's are easier to find though.

If you can live with the fuel consumption the G37 saloon is amazing value with a fit & finish equal to any premium brand;

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

More sensible is the IS250 in Advance/F Sport trim

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

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

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

Mazda6 Sport

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

You can also land a few very good hybrids at this price point:

Lexus GS450h

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

Infiniti M 35h GT

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

Citroen DS5 Sport

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

508 Allure hybrid

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

[Jamescrs]

I'd be looking at a Volvo S60

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

I have one myself in estate guise, great family car, front parking sensors, rear sensors with camera, excellent safety features and a very comfortable drive, it easily accommodates 4 people and generally very good value for money.

I should add the one in the link isn't particularly well specced but gives an idea