£3000-£4000 family car

[NaePasaran]

What we thinking folks? First time buying a car and it's a minefield. Previous cars have been company ones and my last one gifted from a family member so never had to worry about it.

Will mostly be used for longer distances (Faster A roads and motorways). Alot of the time fuel will be split between 3-4 passengers so not bothered about MPG as such (away matches, camping, mountain biking etc).

Not overly fussed about looks, if it's on 15s great, if it's on 17s, also great. But would like some level of comfort for driver and passengers as it'll be used for longer trips. Automatic would be preferable so she can drive it if ever needed.

I'm guessing German ones are out the window at this price point?

Volvo V70 keeps coming up. Bit of a unit but wouldn't put me off. How are the V50's and S40's at this price point? Potentials or best forgotten about?

Any other recommendations and advice greatly appreciated.

[Shabaza]

Skoda Roomster/yeti/octavia
Honda CRV


The Yeti and roomster are particularly versatile and receive fantastic reviews

[BoRED S2upid]

I’ve had no problems with Volvos. V70’s seem to go forever.

[SFTWend]

I'm in the S East, so maybe prices are higher, but with that budget I'd concentrate on finding something with a decent maintenance and MOT history, rather than a specific make/model.

As you'll mostly be doing longer distances I suggest a non Ulez compliant diesel will be most suitable and best value.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

This has old man's cherished car but sold by the kids as soon as he passed written all over it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306098...

[biggbn]

Toyota Avensis is good shout. Petrol are said to be refined and frugal. Does it need to be an estate or hatch? I'd have an s80 Volvo over a v70, usually better looked after and less owners. I've said this often but the big Kia and Hyundai saloons are very cheap, reliable if anonymous and bland.

[CrippsCorner]

I picked up a Fiat 500L 2015 65k for £3,400 last year which I was happy with. Not exactly an exciting car to drive, but it does have a little character, as well as a big useful boot and general 'modern' interior (touchscreen etc.)

Mine's manual, as most seem to be, but you can get automatics, although they tend to be a little more expensive:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307169...

Manual Trekking:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307089...

[NaePasaran]

biggbn said:

Toyota Avensis is good shout. Petrol are said to be refined and frugal. Does it need to be an estate or hatch? I'd have an s80 Volvo over a v70, usually better looked after and less owners. I've said this often but the big Kia and Hyundai saloons are very cheap, reliable if anonymous and bland.

Thanks. Open-minded to be honest, don't fancy an SUV as don't think I have the need for it, but a saloon, MPV, estate etc would be fine. The missus has the "fun hot hatch" so that will be the main car. This is more for filling the boot with camping equipment and buggering off to the Highlands for a few days etc.

Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions also.

[W201_190e]

I picked up a 2011/2012 61 plate V60 D5 R-Design with full dealer history and £85k for £4650 in March. It’s the perfect all round family car.

[TopPlonker]

I've been looking too for a similar beast and I've seen a load of lovely Mondeo Titanium's for £3k.

Spend the other £1k on a complete service (inc cam belt) and any little faults it has and you will be fine.

[georgeyboy12345]

V70 would be a good choice, I reckon the 2.4 petrol auto would be most reliable and also LEZ compliant for when driving into various cities for all those football fixtures
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307059...


Mercedes E350 Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...


Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sport Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306048...


Mazda 5 2.0 TS2 - watch out for rust
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...


Audi A6 Allroad 4.2 V8 Quattro - perhaps slightly risky - a nice car though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...

[NaePasaran]

Shabaza said:

Skoda Roomster/yeti/octavia
Honda CRV


The Yeti and roomster are particularly versatile and receive fantastic reviews

Thanks.

Hadn't heard of the Roomster before but quite like the look of it, looks practical and ticks most boxes.

This looks to good to be true? £2500, which is £1300 under market value apparently?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306238...

MOT showing that the Engine MIL was on for last MOT so guessing this one is to avoid and look elsewhere?

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?regis...


I can see why leasing is so popular these days if you are like me and don't have a clue about cars. Stressful

[carboy2017]

Pls read the desc

"This vehicle has covered 49,623 miles by one owner from new and comes with a full 10 stamp service history, previous mot certificates and a full mot history printout. Last serviced at 46,985 miles" ;-)

RedWhiteMonkey said:

This has old man's cherished car but sold by the kids as soon as he passed written all over it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306098...

[ZX10R NIN]

If comfort for four adults on long runs is the main priority then I'd look at rep cars as that's what they were built to do.

2.0T Insignia Elite estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304286...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...

If you don't mind a CAT car then this could be a great buy, as long as you do the right checks:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305317...

2.5T Mondeo Titanium X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306198...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305277...

Or if fuel really isn't an issue then it's hard to look past the CLS500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307089...

[Shabaza]

NaePasaran said:

Thanks.

Hadn't heard of the Roomster before but quite like the look of it, looks practical and ticks most boxes.

This looks to good to be true? £2500, which is £1300 under market value apparently?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306238...

MOT showing that the Engine MIL was on for last MOT so guessing this one is to avoid and look elsewhere?

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?regis...


I can see why leasing is so popular these days if you are like me and don't have a clue about cars. Stressful

EML coming on for VAG products is pretty common place, more often then not, it is a relatively simple sensor problem.
The 3 rear seats can be folded or removed entirely, so I vouch for the Roomster model, just go look at that one with a bit of caution as you might with any other car.

[anonymous-user]

Accord 2.4 Type S

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Some good suggestions, I'll add the Seat Exeo into the mix. They stopped making them in 2013 but they are a solid car and are exactly the same as the B7 chassis Audi A4, a car that you still see working hard on todays roads. The Seat has the later common rail diesel engines too. Dash is out of the A4 cab. I've had mine since is was 3mths old and until last month where it gave it's first every repair bill it has been a great car.

You can pick a good one up in your budget, estates are worth a bit more. The 170ps engine has slightly lower gearing than the 140ps model. I would probably just go 140ps as the 170s have a small premium (I have a 170).

[aland75]

I had a 2.4 D5 Euro 3 V70 for 11 years and covered many, many miles in it. Fantastic, reliable, comfortable cars.
I've driven the 2.4 140 and 170bhp petrol versions also, and had the later Euro 4 D5 in another car. Have the V70R version now.
Personal favorite (for your usage) would be the Euro 3 D5.