AIBU to want a decent car to drive? (what do you drive?)

[Honeybooboo123]

so, my old car is getting a bit knackered and it's a three door which has always been a bit of a hassle with 2 kids.

We have a estate as well, which either DH drives or I drive on my day off as bigger for shopping etc. We also have a sports car which is DH's and not practical for more than a handbag and wedging kids in the tiny back seats. I haven't driven it yet.

Anyway, I think I need a new car. I don't want anything big, but 5 doors, can handle a motorway and a little bit zippy.

Any recommendations? Budget - not huge, maybe up to £10-12k, used fine.

DH thinks I should keep driving the old banger, but the seats don't even go forwards or back anymore...

Have you looked at an A3? They're lovely and have plenty of zip!

How can one of you have a budget of 12k and the other has the idea of not spending?

So DH has 2 cars, one a sports car but thinks you should keep driving the banger? hhmmmm that's sounds fair

it's more that he is happy for me to keep driving it, rather than spend money. I'm thinking sod it

he's also got some idea that I don't drive far, my commute is longer than his, and I drive on a motorway to get to work.

If you are driving the kids around you should have the decent car and DH the banger or a decent one the sports car. Its fucking madness him having two cars at his disposal and you in a banger

ok, what shall I look at tho?

Am going to test drive a Toyota Argo, but they look tiny.

What about a Kia Ce'ed?

I was driving an A4 estate, which was DHs (he got a new car) and it was far too heavy for me.

We went car shopping Oct 16 and ended up with a Q3. Brilliant to drive, I can fit 2 large dogs in the boot and it’s very comfy as well.

I had a Toyota Corolla lift back and it was a great car, very reliable, 5 door and lots of room in the boot

I have a Mini One (2006 plate) but only 1 DD who is 12. We drop the back seats flat frequently, the boot can handle a small weekly shop but not a "stores" one.

I previously had a VW Golf, which was great. I only got rid of that as we jointly traded in both our cars for a single car as DH was overseas a lot at the time. (We got a 2nd one again after DFIL died and DH was no longer away 2 weeks out of 4, but needed to do things down the country for DMIL). THat was great on the motorway, had plenty of room for 2 (and took a 3rd) in the back, boot space was grand (I had a Quinny Buzz (? the big one) at the time and generally plenty of shopping etc to deal with too).

I had a Ford Fiesta as my first "own" car, which we bought just after DD was born. That was fine for me - had the Buzz in the boot most of the time and still some room for shopping, went in and out of town daily, I took it allottmenteering for 4 years (having to bring all my tools in the boot and fold up barrow in the back seat opposite side to DD in her car seat!), and took it out on the motorway quite happily.

I don't mind an older car, if it works well and has enough space and enough "go". I've been happy with all 3 (although the Mini would not have been ok when DD was small as it's 3 door and boot is a little small - although a DC in DD's class in school has a 5 door version and there are 2 DCs in that family, it is the only family car).

I have no idea about costs in the UK - cars always seem expensive to me here in Ireland.

I have always had VWs. Then I drove a Skoda. It is basically a VW with more gear and power. I never thought I'd drive something like it,but I love it.

Toyota aygo? More space in dhs sports car

I have no idea about costs in the UK - cars always seem expensive to me here in Ireland

They're way dearer in Ireland, my DH just got a new car from the north and he saved a couple of thousand even after paying the VRT on it

We have a small old second car and plan to get something like an estate this year. Our main family car which i use for motorway commuting is a focus in a nice spec. We got it 18 months old with your budget. Its super. Reasonable boot reliable nice to drive and fits 5 people in reasonably comfortably.

I have a Golf GTI. It has 5 doors and loads of room in the boot. Easy to park too.

Skoda Octavia or if you can find a second hand one SEAT Toledo

Saab 9-3, dh has the 9-5. Both are estates which is useful for the uni run, and there is a good supply of parts. They go on for ever as well, and are comfortable to drive. We did a 1400'm round trip to the UK and back the other weekend in Dh's car, and it was smooth and comfortable with 4 adults and a shed load of stuff in the boot.

We've had a Golf GTI for about 6 years ... Will be buying another one this year. They are lovely little cars (and 5 door).

I like Volvos. You could pick up an XC60 for your budget.

Seat Leon. 5 doors plenty room and economical

I'm on my third Golf, love them, perfect combination of comfort, space and specs but not too big.

Our car is a Toyota Yaris hybrid. DH mainly uses it to get to work, but it's fine on motorway too when we do long trips to visit family.

I mostly ride a bike day to day

I have a Honda jazz sport. Love it really reliable. Very roomy inside for a small ish car. Bit funkier than the usual Boring image of a jazz! We paid £8k 3 years old.

I had a Kia Cee'd and liked it very much. Seven year warranty with a Kia too. I had a high spec one because I like the things like reversing cameras, technology stuff and the best thing ever in cold weather- a heated steering wheel. It had oomph, was comfortable and reasonably economical.

For £13k I'd see if you can get a used Golf. Nippy. Nicely sized. Comfortable. Reliable.