Best Family Car (Cheap) ?

[Spy]

Hi all,

I am considering adding a fourth car to my stable. All the current cars I have are 2+2 so really need a family sized car that is:
- spacious
- economical
- automatic
- reliable
- cheap to buy

The car will be for my wife to transport the kids and dog. One of the school trips is an approx. 40 mile round trip every day so I would like a car that is lean on the fuel. The car should have an "open boot" like a hatchback or estate for the dog.

Cars that jump to mind are:
- 3 series estate
- c class estate
- A4 estate

The reason for thinking of thos is that they generally have good auto boxes and supposedly reliable.

I do not want to pay too much to buy one (say up to £5k) so I am looking at models 5 years and older, I think.

Any recommendations from that short-list or other cars I haven't listed but should consider.

Edited by Spy on Wednesday 3rd November 11:41