Please help recommend a family car 5-7k
Discussion
Hi,
Looking to buy a 2nd hand car for family use (me, wife & a 2 year old). We don't have a car at the moment so will be our only one. Will be used for the following:
- 1 x 40 mile round trip to office once a week
- 2 x 3 mile trips to nursery each week
- roughly 8 x 450 mile trips per year (visit wife's family)
- other occasional use e.g. shops etc.
As we don't have a car currently to base it on I would guess around 8k miles per year usage.
Looking for a 5 door hatchback or saloon with isofix, don't really want an SUV and budget is around 5k-7k.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Robbo
Looking to buy a 2nd hand car for family use (me, wife & a 2 year old). We don't have a car at the moment so will be our only one. Will be used for the following:
- 1 x 40 mile round trip to office once a week
- 2 x 3 mile trips to nursery each week
- roughly 8 x 450 mile trips per year (visit wife's family)
- other occasional use e.g. shops etc.
As we don't have a car currently to base it on I would guess around 8k miles per year usage.
Looking for a 5 door hatchback or saloon with isofix, don't really want an SUV and budget is around 5k-7k.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Robbo
The longer trip each week allows diesel into the picture - which saves a few quid on those long trips to see the in-laws.
Which brings a question... Any requirement to be ULEZ exempt?
Another that occurs is whether there's any particular preference for manual or auto box?
The lack of fondness for SUV's should help get a better car for the money - you'd generally pay a premium on one over a hatch/estate with equivalent saloons often being cheapest of the bunch.
Which brings a question... Any requirement to be ULEZ exempt?
Another that occurs is whether there's any particular preference for manual or auto box?
The lack of fondness for SUV's should help get a better car for the money - you'd generally pay a premium on one over a hatch/estate with equivalent saloons often being cheapest of the bunch.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'll start looking through AutoTrader based on this.
Yes reasonable boot size would be good as we have a bulky pram at the moment and for the odd trip to the dump
No requirement to be ULEZ exempt as we would get a train if going to London.
Also no preference for manual or auto.
Yes I did wonder if there might just be enough mileage to warrant a diesel so that's good to hear.
Thanks again!
Yes reasonable boot size would be good as we have a bulky pram at the moment and for the odd trip to the dump
No requirement to be ULEZ exempt as we would get a train if going to London.
Also no preference for manual or auto.
Yes I did wonder if there might just be enough mileage to warrant a diesel so that's good to hear.
Thanks again!
robbo1983 said:
Hi,
Looking to buy a 2nd hand car for family use (me, wife & a 2 year old). We don't have a car at the moment so will be our only one. Will be used for the following:
- 1 x 40 mile round trip to office once a week
- 2 x 3 mile trips to nursery each week
- roughly 8 x 450 mile trips per year (visit wife's family)
- other occasional use e.g. shops etc.
As we don't have a car currently to base it on I would guess around 8k miles per year usage.
Looking for a 5 door hatchback or saloon with isofix, don't really want an SUV and budget is around 5k-7k.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Robbo
1.6T Insignia Elite Nav:Looking to buy a 2nd hand car for family use (me, wife & a 2 year old). We don't have a car at the moment so will be our only one. Will be used for the following:
- 1 x 40 mile round trip to office once a week
- 2 x 3 mile trips to nursery each week
- roughly 8 x 450 mile trips per year (visit wife's family)
- other occasional use e.g. shops etc.
As we don't have a car currently to base it on I would guess around 8k miles per year usage.
Looking for a 5 door hatchback or saloon with isofix, don't really want an SUV and budget is around 5k-7k.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Robbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
2.0T Titanium X Sport 240 (make sure the gearbox has had it's fluid & filter changed as per schedule) :
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305016...
Mazda6 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208259...
Lexus IS250 SE L:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305016...
Hatch wise the Giulietta Sportiva Nav is a good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303054...
VFM wise the Pulsar N Tec 180 is hard to beat:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303044...
Kia Ceed GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...
I've got an Insignia diesel but if I were you then stay away from the 2.0 CDTI. A lot have issues with the oil pickup which kills the engine.
Luckily for your mileage you can get a petrol but you'd need a turbo petrol but means you're economy will suck.
Then you have the smaller turbo diesels which would be OK.
The good thing about the insignia is the boot. It's huge and we can fit in a hell of a lot. Only issue is the hatchback isn't as good as the estate version but it's not as nice looking in my opinion.
If you do like the look of the estate then you can't go wrong, just make sure you get the best spec you can with the best service history.
Otherwise I'd recommend you getting an estate as it can carry a hell of a lot more. With that in mind you've got cars like:
Vauxhall insignia
Skoda octavia 1.8tsi
Volvo v60 1.6 T3
Ford focus
FYI
In my insignia I've done a few trips for a week to the caravan and chalet sites. Insignia got it all in. That's 2 adults and a 2 year old as well. So includes, travel cot, high chair and suitcase, along with other things.
Luckily for your mileage you can get a petrol but you'd need a turbo petrol but means you're economy will suck.
Then you have the smaller turbo diesels which would be OK.
The good thing about the insignia is the boot. It's huge and we can fit in a hell of a lot. Only issue is the hatchback isn't as good as the estate version but it's not as nice looking in my opinion.
If you do like the look of the estate then you can't go wrong, just make sure you get the best spec you can with the best service history.
Otherwise I'd recommend you getting an estate as it can carry a hell of a lot more. With that in mind you've got cars like:
Vauxhall insignia
Skoda octavia 1.8tsi
Volvo v60 1.6 T3
Ford focus
FYI
In my insignia I've done a few trips for a week to the caravan and chalet sites. Insignia got it all in. That's 2 adults and a 2 year old as well. So includes, travel cot, high chair and suitcase, along with other things.
Edited by Ankh87 on Thursday 11th May 21:13
Mazda 6 1.8 Sakata
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303225...
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 16V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...
or for more power, the 2.0T SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...
Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...
Ford Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303225...
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 16V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...
or for more power, the 2.0T SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...
Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...
Ford Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...
If it were me, I'd look at the 5-pot Volvo diesels (D3/D4/D5 but make sure it's a 5-cylinder not the early years of the VEA 4-cylinder engines) - these are characterful and pretty much bombproof if not neglected.
Realistically it'd be an S60 or S80 saloon on budget and if you're uncomfortable with a 100k miles car (I wouldn't be on those engines, they wear 250+ with relative ease, and sub 10k a year isn't going to get there very quickly!!) then it'll probably be around 2010-12-ish... Don't neglect to look at S80's, there's less of them around but they can be priced very competitively against their smaller brother.
That would be my choice - you'd get great seats in these too, which really matters for those long trips to see the in-laws.
Eg..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Or slightly lower spec, but still a nice car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Realistically it'd be an S60 or S80 saloon on budget and if you're uncomfortable with a 100k miles car (I wouldn't be on those engines, they wear 250+ with relative ease, and sub 10k a year isn't going to get there very quickly!!) then it'll probably be around 2010-12-ish... Don't neglect to look at S80's, there's less of them around but they can be priced very competitively against their smaller brother.
That would be my choice - you'd get great seats in these too, which really matters for those long trips to see the in-laws.
Eg..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Or slightly lower spec, but still a nice car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Edited by Brassblaster on Thursday 11th May 23:21
we have a MY2014 insignia estate (facelift) due to having a baby, for the family duties. Company car went during covid and this came in!
Its the 2.0 diesel, we have had the oil pickup seal sorted plus gearbox oil changed (AUTO) and its been spot on for all our trips.
Short ones to work and nursery plus long holiday trips. Its averaged about 43mpg for everything, but will do 50-60 on a long run.
its on about 142k miles now and everything works as it should and feels well put together.
Its a comfy cruiser, cant fault it at all.
Its the 2.0 diesel, we have had the oil pickup seal sorted plus gearbox oil changed (AUTO) and its been spot on for all our trips.
Short ones to work and nursery plus long holiday trips. Its averaged about 43mpg for everything, but will do 50-60 on a long run.
its on about 142k miles now and everything works as it should and feels well put together.
Its a comfy cruiser, cant fault it at all.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am actually liking the idea of the Lexus IS250 SE L so far. I read some older discussions on here and it seems the automatics are regarded as reliable and for their age you can get them with plenty of mod cons e.g. satnav, heated seats, good sound system if it has the Mark Levinson media pack.
I like the 2nd one ZX10R NIN linked to above (blue) but an MOT check shows 7 failures in the past and there are a few mentions of corrosion on the exhaust system. Is that a red flag? I have never bought a 2nd hand car before (only had one passed down to me by my Dad) so I am new to all this.
I found a couple of others but it won't let me post links to them on here. One is an F Sport but it's a private seller and I was thinking it would be safer for me to buy from a garage and get some sort of warranty at least? It doesn't have any MOT failures but there don't see to be any comments submitted, not sure if that is a good sign or something to worry about?
Cheers
I like the 2nd one ZX10R NIN linked to above (blue) but an MOT check shows 7 failures in the past and there are a few mentions of corrosion on the exhaust system. Is that a red flag? I have never bought a 2nd hand car before (only had one passed down to me by my Dad) so I am new to all this.
I found a couple of others but it won't let me post links to them on here. One is an F Sport but it's a private seller and I was thinking it would be safer for me to buy from a garage and get some sort of warranty at least? It doesn't have any MOT failures but there don't see to be any comments submitted, not sure if that is a good sign or something to worry about?
Cheers
I drive a 2016 Ford Focus 1.0 ecoboost hatchback. I have three kids (one still in a car seat) a wife and a big dog.
I bought it for £6.5k(ish) as a stop-gap last September after selling a 7 seat 3.0 automatic Land Rover Discovery, and it has been a great eye-opener about what we really need. I had definitely got caught up in what I thought we needed with regards to brand, features and size of vehicle.
I've taken all over the country without issue. It's now on 75k.
I would definitely recommend one for your needs.
I bought it for £6.5k(ish) as a stop-gap last September after selling a 7 seat 3.0 automatic Land Rover Discovery, and it has been a great eye-opener about what we really need. I had definitely got caught up in what I thought we needed with regards to brand, features and size of vehicle.
I've taken all over the country without issue. It's now on 75k.
I would definitely recommend one for your needs.
Hitch said:
I drive a 2016 Ford Focus 1.0 ecoboost hatchback. I have three kids (one still in a car seat) a wife and a big dog.
I bought it for £6.5k(ish) as a stop-gap last September after selling a 7 seat 3.0 automatic Land Rover Discovery, and it has been a great eye-opener about what we really need. I had definitely got caught up in what I thought we needed with regards to brand, features and size of vehicle.
I've taken all over the country without issue. It's now on 75k.
I would definitely recommend one for your needs.
As long as you don't mind replacing the engine....I bought it for £6.5k(ish) as a stop-gap last September after selling a 7 seat 3.0 automatic Land Rover Discovery, and it has been a great eye-opener about what we really need. I had definitely got caught up in what I thought we needed with regards to brand, features and size of vehicle.
I've taken all over the country without issue. It's now on 75k.
I would definitely recommend one for your needs.
I did look at a few Ford Focus actually as someone on another thread suggested an older one with a new engine fitted. I found a 2013 1.0T, 63.5k miles for £6500 with a new engine fitted by Ford under warranty but can't post the link.
When I search for 2016 onwards the mileages seem quite high for those within my budget.
When I search for 2016 onwards the mileages seem quite high for those within my budget.
We have almost exactly the same usage profile as you OP for our second family car.
I would give diesels a massive swerve. At this price point you are most likely looking at somebody's high mileage part exchange that could be storing up a DMF/DPF or EGR issue - all expensive to fix.
In your position we bought a 65,000 mile Honda FR-V when we got married 11yrs ago and it is still going strong with another 70,000 miles on top of it since. We only went for this over the Civic as we had to ferry my wife's elderly parents around from time to time, so wanted something with a bit more passenger space than you need. In all that time it has needed:
Routine servicing and tyres - cheap at a local indie
A new clutch at 80k miles - 300 quid, fitted.
A new exhaust silencer - not expensive
A new set of discs and pads - not expensive
A new aircon compressor - 225 quid, fitted (after a bit of searching, OEM unit is costly)
A new battery - about 80 quid
A new passenger window regulator (25 quid used, off eBay)
The car has never missed a beat, is comfy, practical, swallowed an Uppababy Vista with ease and I would happily recommend.
You might find it a bit thirsty on petrol on those 450 mile trips but I would rather spend at the pump on something that is all day long reliable than risk lots of expense on a leggy diesel that could have numerous expensive emissions related problems, especially with your low average mileage.
The Civic has the 1.8 litre VTEC lump, it is more economical and cheaper to tax than the FR-V, it is hugely reliable and will be our next choice when the FR-V finally dies.
So I would go for something like this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...
There's a 1.4 engined version of the Civic but it is only 100bhp and has a glacial 0-60 time, but is not much more frugal, so I would stick with the 1.8
I would give diesels a massive swerve. At this price point you are most likely looking at somebody's high mileage part exchange that could be storing up a DMF/DPF or EGR issue - all expensive to fix.
In your position we bought a 65,000 mile Honda FR-V when we got married 11yrs ago and it is still going strong with another 70,000 miles on top of it since. We only went for this over the Civic as we had to ferry my wife's elderly parents around from time to time, so wanted something with a bit more passenger space than you need. In all that time it has needed:
Routine servicing and tyres - cheap at a local indie
A new clutch at 80k miles - 300 quid, fitted.
A new exhaust silencer - not expensive
A new set of discs and pads - not expensive
A new aircon compressor - 225 quid, fitted (after a bit of searching, OEM unit is costly)
A new battery - about 80 quid
A new passenger window regulator (25 quid used, off eBay)
The car has never missed a beat, is comfy, practical, swallowed an Uppababy Vista with ease and I would happily recommend.
You might find it a bit thirsty on petrol on those 450 mile trips but I would rather spend at the pump on something that is all day long reliable than risk lots of expense on a leggy diesel that could have numerous expensive emissions related problems, especially with your low average mileage.
The Civic has the 1.8 litre VTEC lump, it is more economical and cheaper to tax than the FR-V, it is hugely reliable and will be our next choice when the FR-V finally dies.
So I would go for something like this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...
There's a 1.4 engined version of the Civic but it is only 100bhp and has a glacial 0-60 time, but is not much more frugal, so I would stick with the 1.8
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 18th May 12:54
robbo1983 said:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am actually liking the idea of the Lexus IS250 SE L so far. I read some older discussions on here and it seems the automatics are regarded as reliable and for their age you can get them with plenty of mod cons e.g. satnav, heated seats, good sound system if it has the Mark Levinson media pack.
I like the 2nd one ZX10R NIN linked to above (blue) but an MOT check shows 7 failures in the past and there are a few mentions of corrosion on the exhaust system. Is that a red flag? I have never bought a 2nd hand car before (only had one passed down to me by my Dad) so I am new to all this.
I found a couple of others but it won't let me post links to them on here. One is an F Sport but it's a private seller and I was thinking it would be safer for me to buy from a garage and get some sort of warranty at least? It doesn't have any MOT failures but there don't see to be any comments submitted, not sure if that is a good sign or something to worry about?
Cheers
It's not a big deal all exhausts corrode, I will say that Lexus IS250 exhausts aren't cheap but if you have a specialist that builds exhausts when the time comes for a replacement you'll get one made from stainless steel for less than a replacement.I like the 2nd one ZX10R NIN linked to above (blue) but an MOT check shows 7 failures in the past and there are a few mentions of corrosion on the exhaust system. Is that a red flag? I have never bought a 2nd hand car before (only had one passed down to me by my Dad) so I am new to all this.
I found a couple of others but it won't let me post links to them on here. One is an F Sport but it's a private seller and I was thinking it would be safer for me to buy from a garage and get some sort of warranty at least? It doesn't have any MOT failures but there don't see to be any comments submitted, not sure if that is a good sign or something to worry about?
Cheers
Make sure you get a 2008 car as the earlier cars can't run on E10 fuel, if you get one with Nav you get the Levinson system. You actually get heated & air cooled seats.
Always buy on condition be it from a dealer or private no matter who you buy from do your own checks & when viewing the car make sure EVERYTHING works.
Thanks for everyone's help previously when I posted this in May. Stuff came up at work came up so I had to put the car buying on hold but it is back on now.
We are now keen on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and plan to look at some this week. My budget was originally 5k-7k but could probably stretch to 8k-10k but just not sure if it was worth spending the extra in the current market?
I have been looking at 2014+ models as they have the screen with DAB radio (and sometimes sat nav) which I would prefer.
A few I have found so far and was wondering what you think please?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306289...
This one would save me some money but has done 110k miles:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306208...
This one is more than I wanted to spend really but I do love the blue colour and it is 2016 model:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...
Thanks for any help.
We are now keen on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and plan to look at some this week. My budget was originally 5k-7k but could probably stretch to 8k-10k but just not sure if it was worth spending the extra in the current market?
I have been looking at 2014+ models as they have the screen with DAB radio (and sometimes sat nav) which I would prefer.
A few I have found so far and was wondering what you think please?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306289...
This one would save me some money but has done 110k miles:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306208...
This one is more than I wanted to spend really but I do love the blue colour and it is 2016 model:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...
Thanks for any help.
For me these two QV Lines are the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306289...
But if you like the Blue one why not see if there's any negotiating to be done.
Not as good to look at but still a good car is the 1.6T Elite Nav 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...
SRI VX Line Nav 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306208...
Kia Ceed GT Tech:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306289...
But if you like the Blue one why not see if there's any negotiating to be done.
Not as good to look at but still a good car is the 1.6T Elite Nav 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...
SRI VX Line Nav 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306208...
Kia Ceed GT Tech:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff