Which car?

[Dorsetmama]

Im thinking well into my future here: as yet i dont drive. Ive got 4 ds... One doesnt need a car seat, but the other 3 will for a bit., only boosters though.

I need a car that isnt enormous to drive as i will be a new driver.
I also need boot space when the car is full of people, or its pointless!
Ideally anything between 5 and 7 seats, 6 being optimal I guess.

I know nothing of big cars, and really hope I dont need to drive one of thosr enormous mercedes vans!! Not that I could afford it anyway :)

Important or not, the price.... I guess it can vary hugely with second hand cars, but I'd probably have around £1,000 to spend. Is that even realistic?

[peggyundercrackers]

Don't even think of wasting your money - what you want can't really be bought for the money you have, well it can but it won't be that reliable and will probably cost you more in repair costs than it did to buy.

[shutupandshop]

Agree with Peggy. You need a reliable car. I have a kia crap, previously had a renault crap fords are supposed to be great.

[Dorsetmama]

So i should try to get a new car? Possibly?

[PaskinRobbin]

You might be able to get an old Ford first generation Galaxy/VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra for that money (they are all the same car with different badges on). I've got 4 kids and a limited budget so have been looking at that kind of thing.

[TheGreenTriangle]

If you only need a 5 seater, then I would get an old model Renault Scenic. That was my previous car (got a newer Touran now) and I loved it, replaced as I needed a bigger car.

Our old style Scenic was reliable and a great drive, not a huge car for an MPV, very comfortable for all passengers and a big boot too. I don't know how much they'd be now, our X reg got traded in for £300 I think.

[BombadierFritz]

1000?
It will be really old and unreliable
Worth checking your insurance as well as 7 seaters for a newly qualified driver will be a lot!!
You could look at that scheme for new cars where you rent instead of buy? Pcp?
Otherwise, zafira always cheap n cheerful n spare parts go cheap so the repair bill isnt massive

[Fourormore]

I'd say £10k for a decent 7 seater. I wouldn't touch a Scenic with a barge pole (I had an 03 plate one). I have an S-Max now, much better. Got a car loan as this worked out better than a lease. It is big but it's very easy to drive, good visibility and parking sensors.

[Dorsetmama]

Thank you.
So a grand is totally unrealistic!!
Gosh, I'll have to look into a finance scheme. Though christ knows who'll take me on.
I didn't consider insurance to be higher with a 7 seater.
Oh dear. I really need to drive, but its expensive starting to say the least!

[Bluelilies]

Direct Line have a website where you can put in the make and model (or the numberplate) of the car you're thinking of buying and they'll give you an instant online rough quote. Very useful for comparing the costs. Generally speaking smaller engine sizes and newer cars cost less to insure. I think if you're newly qualified you'll be looking at at least £500 in insurance, plus at least that much again in MOT/repairs for an old car. Agree that you'll be hard pushed to find anything to buy for £1000. By the £2000-£3000 mark there's a bit more choice though, including some 7 seaters, but I don't think you'll be able to be choosy. We have a Seat Alhambra which has been excellent, though I'm not so sure what they're like when they're old.

[Dorsetmama]

Thank you :) I'll bear all this in mind and definitely save more.