Looking for a replacement car for the missus

[The Hitman]

Hi guys, the other half's car is completely fking knackered and on its way out.

She needs a car thats cheap to run and insure (preferably diesel), has enough room for 3 kids (1 child and 2 infants) and 2 adults in the front and reliable.

Available funds - £2000 at the very most (the cheaper the better)

Thanks

[Papa Hotel]

Focus. Job done, shut the thread.

[The Hitman]

Papa Hotel said:

Focus. Job done, shut the thread.

Thanks, but I'm looking for suggestions, that means more than one, plus the missus hates Fords (bad exprience apparently)

[HellDiver]

You want a Focus. Unless she's paying for it, then she can have something else.

Focus is a big, big seller for a reason.

[Papa Hotel]

Oh, well, sorry, I didn't realise I would be the only one replying, I will endeavour to add a load of other suggestions next time.

I'll also apologise for forgetting to fire up my psychic hat, I didn't know your wife hated Fords.

We will look at some alternatives though. A mk4 Golf, Pug 307, Renault Megane, Citroën Xsara. I'll tell you something though, if I had two grand to spend on a family car, it'd still be the Focus.

[HellDiver]

2 grand, diesel hatchback. Really, why does anyone need suggestions? Open Auto Trader and within seconds you'll have a list of possibles. All of them rubbish - £2k gets you 6 or 7 year old cars with 80k+ on the clock, so it's mostly luck on whether or not you get a shed or a gem.

[JRM Rossi]

I read the title wrong & thought it would be a fair swap.... lol

[deveng]

When your looking at the bottom end of the market don't get your hopes set on 1 model.

See what there is that's a good price for the age/spec/condition.

Then buy a focus.

[fido]

^ or a Skoda Fabia (VAG 1.4 engine is quite frugal).

[SD1992]

What about an older A4 / Passat 1.9 TDI?

They are cheap, economical, and run forever if looked after properly. I saw one on autotrader the other day that had over 300k on the clock!

[5charlie46]

VW passat, we paid approx a couple for our t reg TDI a few years ago on 150k now on 265k and still feels the same!

[dowahdiddyman]

Why diesel, unless she`s doing loads of miles is the extra 25p+ a gallon really a money saver.

[deveng]

If you had 2 kids I'd also suggest an A2. But you couldn't keep it in your trousers.

[WeirdNeville]

Stick to wanting a diesel and your options are very, very limited.
Open it up to Petrol and the worlds your lobster. Loads of Mid-spec cars out there for £2k.

Unless she's doing well north of 15k miles a year I wouldn't bother with a diesel.