Cheap and reliable family transport c.3k
Discussion
My sister and her husband are struggling a bit, he has just been made redundant after they've just welcomed their first child in to the world.
It's unfortunate but the good news is he's found some work just without car allowances and a bit less money than they're used to.
Me being the car guy in the family, have been asked for some guidance with their next purchase but I'm treading carefully here.
They need to keep spend to a minimum while being safe and reliable transport. Sounds like this purchase will be going on the credit card and paid off as quick as funds allow, so reliability is also important here to allow repayments to happen instead of fixing a knackered shed. Budget is a max of around 3000 pounds, maybe 4 at a push.
Criteria: Reliable, spacious enough to accommodate dog in the boot, child seat, pram.
I will make sure all consumable items are checked for wear or haggle some money off the price if any need replacing, hopefully to minimise any unforeseen expense.
My first suggestion was a Toyota Avensis petrol estate, preferably the 08 onwards model which actually looks very smart. These however are thin on the ground, even the older model is fetching strong money.
I think out of the box suggestions may help here to get better value/newness, aside from the default jap and petrol that I've advised.
Other thoughts include Mazda 6 petrol rust permitting.
Any thoughts from the PH collective much appreciated. I have shared a bit about the situation so that you can put yourself in the shoes of someone giving this advice to yield some sensible replies, certainly no old BMW estates would be suitable here even though this is PH!
Many thanks and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
It's unfortunate but the good news is he's found some work just without car allowances and a bit less money than they're used to.
Me being the car guy in the family, have been asked for some guidance with their next purchase but I'm treading carefully here.
They need to keep spend to a minimum while being safe and reliable transport. Sounds like this purchase will be going on the credit card and paid off as quick as funds allow, so reliability is also important here to allow repayments to happen instead of fixing a knackered shed. Budget is a max of around 3000 pounds, maybe 4 at a push.
Criteria: Reliable, spacious enough to accommodate dog in the boot, child seat, pram.
I will make sure all consumable items are checked for wear or haggle some money off the price if any need replacing, hopefully to minimise any unforeseen expense.
My first suggestion was a Toyota Avensis petrol estate, preferably the 08 onwards model which actually looks very smart. These however are thin on the ground, even the older model is fetching strong money.
I think out of the box suggestions may help here to get better value/newness, aside from the default jap and petrol that I've advised.
Other thoughts include Mazda 6 petrol rust permitting.
Any thoughts from the PH collective much appreciated. I have shared a bit about the situation so that you can put yourself in the shoes of someone giving this advice to yield some sensible replies, certainly no old BMW estates would be suitable here even though this is PH!
Many thanks and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Boring and undesirable is the key here.
I've been in that sort of situation when younger, thankfully before kids were in the mix, but the biggest thing to get finances back on track is to get something that'll be boringly reliable, and last long enough for the good times to return, which is hard on such a tight budget. My weapon of choice was a 2003 Toyota Corolla.
You have got to limit risk as much as possible. This usually means Korean or Japanese.
I would look at the Hyundai I30 estate, they're hideous and there are plenty around.
If no jap or Korean offerings are coming up, perhaps consider something like a petrol Ford Focus.
The Honda civic hatch backs are very spacious and have the magic seats.
Best of luck
I've been in that sort of situation when younger, thankfully before kids were in the mix, but the biggest thing to get finances back on track is to get something that'll be boringly reliable, and last long enough for the good times to return, which is hard on such a tight budget. My weapon of choice was a 2003 Toyota Corolla.
You have got to limit risk as much as possible. This usually means Korean or Japanese.
I would look at the Hyundai I30 estate, they're hideous and there are plenty around.
If no jap or Korean offerings are coming up, perhaps consider something like a petrol Ford Focus.
The Honda civic hatch backs are very spacious and have the magic seats.
Best of luck
7 5 7 said:
Insignia estate or Astra J Tourer (2010+), in petrol form - pretty robust ecotec engines, plenty of loading space in either too and loads about, cheap to fix and maintain.
We went to the cotswolds for the day with my brother in law a couple of years ago and tagged along in his Astra J 1.6 petrol. It struggled with every hill when it was 4 up, and it wasn't exactly the Scottish Highlands either! Wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.I had an Astra J with the Isuzu 1.7 diesel and that was much better and totally reliable, although I expect the clutch would've cost a fair bit if I had to change it.
Deffo Japanese. I've had the 08 era Avensis estate (2litre auto) and now a similar Honda Accord estate (or tourer as they like to call it). Both great!
Just posted in the normal estates thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Watch out for seized brake calipers on both of them though along with corrosion underneath. Plus the usual maintenance - Japanese reliability comes with looking after but unfortunately too many folk now abuse them so plenty of really iffy examples.
I keep toying with the idea of changing mine because of the miles i'm currently having to do and the need for a dirty diesel
Just posted in the normal estates thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Watch out for seized brake calipers on both of them though along with corrosion underneath. Plus the usual maintenance - Japanese reliability comes with looking after but unfortunately too many folk now abuse them so plenty of really iffy examples.
I keep toying with the idea of changing mine because of the miles i'm currently having to do and the need for a dirty diesel
We survived just fine with a Jazz when we had 2 kids. Known to be a bit of a Tardis car. Can look smart enough with the 'Sport' bodykit from factory...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
We did have the cat stolen, as often happens with these, but other than that, only a dodgy window regulator in a couple of years ownership.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
We did have the cat stolen, as often happens with these, but other than that, only a dodgy window regulator in a couple of years ownership.
CrippsCorner said:
We survived just fine with a Jazz when we had 2 kids. Known to be a bit of a Tardis car. Can look smart enough with the 'Sport' bodykit from factory...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
We did have the cat stolen, as often happens with these, but other than that, only a dodgy window regulator in a couple of years ownership.
Bought my daughter a 2012 Jazz a couple of years go. The first time it went for a service, I asked the mechanic if everything was ok, he just said it’s a Jazz isn’t it https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
We did have the cat stolen, as often happens with these, but other than that, only a dodgy window regulator in a couple of years ownership.
It’s been reliable since. And as you say it is a bit of a tardis inside. I love the way the back seats fold up separately. Plenty of room in the back for a child in a car seat and a dog next to them on the floor, and the pram in the boot. Visibility for driving is good too.
mdavids said:
My son's got an Astra J with the 1.6 petrol engine. Maybe he got a bad one but it's been nothing but trouble.
What's been the issues he's had with it? Generally interested as i am looking at one of these as a possible replacement for my ageing, but stupidly reliable 1.8 petrol Vectra SRI I am currently shedding, which also can't pull the skin of a rice pudding, fully laden with my work gear - slow and steady old girl, she is 
OP
If you head over to this thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You will find a wealth of info
There is also a chap on there who buys many cheap cars [mainly Toyotas)and his business is renting them out to people on tight budgets. I think he is based in South Wales if you are near.
It may be rental for 6 months may be an option?
If you head over to this thread
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You will find a wealth of info
There is also a chap on there who buys many cheap cars [mainly Toyotas)and his business is renting them out to people on tight budgets. I think he is based in South Wales if you are near.
It may be rental for 6 months may be an option?
CrippsCorner said:
We survived just fine with a Jazz when we had 2 kids. Known to be a bit of a Tardis car. Can look smart enough with the 'Sport' bodykit from factory...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
We did have the cat stolen, as often happens with these, but other than that, only a dodgy window regulator in a couple of years ownership.
OP sounds like he has a similar situation to myself in that sometimes you need a bigger car for the dog moreso than the child. You cannot always safely transport child pram and dog in a hatchback. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
We did have the cat stolen, as often happens with these, but other than that, only a dodgy window regulator in a couple of years ownership.
My grandmother is on her second Jazz and it's been completely faultless in 5 years or so.
Clappedoutvolvo said:
My sister and her husband are struggling a bit, he has just been made redundant after they've just welcomed their first child in to the world.
It's unfortunate but the good news is he's found some work just without car allowances and a bit less money than they're used to.
Me being the car guy in the family, have been asked for some guidance with their next purchase but I'm treading carefully here.
They need to keep spend to a minimum while being safe and reliable transport. Sounds like this purchase will be going on the credit card and paid off as quick as funds allow, so reliability is also important here to allow repayments to happen instead of fixing a knackered shed. Budget is a max of around 3000 pounds, maybe 4 at a push.
Criteria: Reliable, spacious enough to accommodate dog in the boot, child seat, pram.
I will make sure all consumable items are checked for wear or haggle some money off the price if any need replacing, hopefully to minimise any unforeseen expense.
My first suggestion was a Toyota Avensis petrol estate, preferably the 08 onwards model which actually looks very smart. These however are thin on the ground, even the older model is fetching strong money.
I think out of the box suggestions may help here to get better value/newness, aside from the default jap and petrol that I've advised.
Other thoughts include Mazda 6 petrol rust permitting.
Any thoughts from the PH collective much appreciated. I have shared a bit about the situation so that you can put yourself in the shoes of someone giving this advice to yield some sensible replies, certainly no old BMW estates would be suitable here even though this is PH!
Many thanks and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
The 1.8 Insignia is a good shout:It's unfortunate but the good news is he's found some work just without car allowances and a bit less money than they're used to.
Me being the car guy in the family, have been asked for some guidance with their next purchase but I'm treading carefully here.
They need to keep spend to a minimum while being safe and reliable transport. Sounds like this purchase will be going on the credit card and paid off as quick as funds allow, so reliability is also important here to allow repayments to happen instead of fixing a knackered shed. Budget is a max of around 3000 pounds, maybe 4 at a push.
Criteria: Reliable, spacious enough to accommodate dog in the boot, child seat, pram.
I will make sure all consumable items are checked for wear or haggle some money off the price if any need replacing, hopefully to minimise any unforeseen expense.
My first suggestion was a Toyota Avensis petrol estate, preferably the 08 onwards model which actually looks very smart. These however are thin on the ground, even the older model is fetching strong money.
I think out of the box suggestions may help here to get better value/newness, aside from the default jap and petrol that I've advised.
Other thoughts include Mazda 6 petrol rust permitting.
Any thoughts from the PH collective much appreciated. I have shared a bit about the situation so that you can put yourself in the shoes of someone giving this advice to yield some sensible replies, certainly no old BMW estates would be suitable here even though this is PH!
Many thanks and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312204...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312265...
2.2 Signum:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203113...
2.0i Passat:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312154...
Tim Cognito said:
Oops, just seen it is diesel.Thanks for all the help everyone. Some of these look quite decent, makes me wonder why I'm not running a sheddy petrol estate to be honest.
Jazz and the like not big enough, as ideally they need a boot to fit a divider in so one half can belong to the dog and the other half safely contain push chair, I don't think they'd want to have their dog loose next to the baby, or pram loose in the footwell, makes sense to get something big enough.
I best get looking on AT at your suggestions!
Jazz and the like not big enough, as ideally they need a boot to fit a divider in so one half can belong to the dog and the other half safely contain push chair, I don't think they'd want to have their dog loose next to the baby, or pram loose in the footwell, makes sense to get something big enough.
I best get looking on AT at your suggestions!
Clappedoutvolvo said:
Thanks for all the help everyone. Some of these look quite decent, makes me wonder why I'm not running a sheddy petrol estate to be honest.
Jazz and the like not big enough, as ideally they need a boot to fit a divider in so one half can belong to the dog and the other half safely contain push chair, I don't think they'd want to have their dog loose next to the baby, or pram loose in the footwell, makes sense to get something big enough.
I best get looking on AT at your suggestions!
I forgot to say that a Mazda5 might just be the pick of the options out there:Jazz and the like not big enough, as ideally they need a boot to fit a divider in so one half can belong to the dog and the other half safely contain push chair, I don't think they'd want to have their dog loose next to the baby, or pram loose in the footwell, makes sense to get something big enough.
I best get looking on AT at your suggestions!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311143...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311284...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312114...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310283...
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