New Car - 4-5k

Styles · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:12

Hi,

I've recently had the addition of a little baby boy to my family so it's time for a family car. I've got about 4-5k to spend so what would you recommend?

I was thinking:

BMW 3 Series
VW Passat
Vauxhall Vectra
Honda Accord
Volvo S40

Thanks for any advice!

Chives · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:16

A passat would be the best of the bunch, Vectras are bad cars and a 3 Series is going to cost quite a bit to run (as at this price bracket its going to be old)

DM · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:17

I will be the first to say a Mondeo.

Or a Saab if you want something a bit out of the ordinary.

Chives · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:18

Honda accord would also be a great choice. Very reliable.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1832072.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1820794.htm

Styles · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:27

Sorry I should mention, I will definately be looking at a diesel engine!

The Accords are lovely, just having another look at them now

Chives · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:28

Volvo S40 is also good.. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1852193.htm

Styles · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:28

DiamondMark said:
I will be the first to say a Mondeo.

Or a Saab if you want something a bit out of the ordinary.

I had a Mondeo as a company vehicle for 3 years so I fancy a change, & I just can't get my head around the Saab Interior, there's just something odd about it.

DM · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:29

Why is a diesel a must?

TS7 · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:32

Replace Vectra with Mondeo. For a £5k budget I wouldn't even entertain the thought of one.

Styles · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:33

Fuel Economy, if I'm being single minded please put me straight. I know very little about cars I just know I used to get 45-48mpg from my 07 Mondeo.

DM · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:34

Styles said:
Fuel Economy, if I'm being single minded please put me straight. I know very little about cars I just know I used to get 45-48mpg from my 07 Mondeo.

How many miles do you do?

Styles · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:35

DiamondMark said:
How many miles do you do?

12,000 a year IF I'm lucky. More like 8-10.

Ricochet J · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:35

DiamondMark said:
How many miles do you do?

Rather what kind of driving do you do?

There's little point in buying a diesel if all you're going to do is pop to Londis to buy some naan bread.

DM · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:36

Styles said:
12,000 a year IF I'm lucky. More like 8-10.

Get a petrol, cheaper to buy and less to go wrong.

Chives · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:37

Styles said:
Fuel Economy, if I'm being single minded please put me straight. I know very little about cars I just know I used to get 45-48mpg from my 07 Mondeo.

The average combined mpg for an accord petrol is in the 30's according to this

Styles · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:38

DiamondMark said:
Get a petrol, cheaper to buy and less to go wrong.

Then scrub my earlier comment about diesel, I'll look at petrol too.

In terms of driving it's mainly town driving with occasional motorway.

TS7 · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:39

Styles said:
In terms of driving it's mainly town driving with occasional motorway.

No big bonus of having a diesel then.

DM · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:40

Been a lot of debates about this on here, but unless you are doing some galactic mileage do consider a petrol.

Smelly diesels bah

Ricochet J · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:42

I'd cross the 3 series off your list unless you can foot any unexpected bills. A £5k Passat is dull to drive. A 2.0L Vectra is dull to drive. I'd be inclined to look more into the Accord.

Chives · 16 Jul 2010 at 22:43

Styles said:
Then scrub my earlier comment about diesel, I'll look at petrol too.

In terms of driving it's mainly town driving with occasional motorway.

Just had a quick look at parkers and all these cars in petrol form seem to average mid 30's mpg combined.