To ask if you bought a family car outright what was it?

[LilyPinkNoah]

2 adults two DC 8 & 5

Our car is 11 years old - it's 'ok' but has some issues (took it to a garage and they said not really worth doing all the work that needs doing). We bought it outright at 3 years old and have done over 100k on it so it's served us well.

A BMW 3 series it cost us £10k 8 years ago.

So kind of want to do the same again - what do you recommend and not really Aibu!

I bought a BMW Gran Tourer Series 2 (7 seater) 2016 model when it was a year old 7000 miles on the clock for £22,000 - paid cash.
It's a dream to drive, does on average 50mpg (not the 4x4 version but 2.0 diesel). Whit the back two seats down its carnivorous!
Love it! It will be with me for a long time.

10 year old Mercedes E Class 3 years ago. 178,000 miles on the clock, £5000.

Huge boot, good leg room, 750 miles to a tank and very comfortable.

Currently 222000 on the clock and not missed a beat. We do look after it though with regular full services per mileage rather than just once a year and replace/repair as we need to.

Skoda Octavia! TDi

Forgot to say that if you get a 15 reg BMW 2 Gran Tourer it will be within your budget :)

If I had a decent sum I’d get a 4x4 hybrid like outlander or wait till March when x1 hybrid comes out- SUV justvhave so much more space for the growing stuff teens have-

As a driver up thread heard mentioned the ULEZ; I think there are going to be a lot of newish large cars traded in in London in the run up to April.

A Lexus 4x4 hybrid.

Another shout for Skoda Octavia. We have had BM's and Fords in the past, but our 14 year old Octavia with 180K on the clock has been superb. We have driven it all over Europe, it averages 50mpg, cheap to insure and maintain and has a huge boot.

I second the PP who said a Kia Sportage. If we were buying one brand new, I'd get a Kia Sorrento (the slightly bigger model with an extra row of seats) but the Sportage would be perfect for two children.

Kias are insanely good for the money - and with a seven year warranty it is a total no brainer. They drive brilliantly and are slick and comfortable. I was talking to a car dealer in the summer and he was saying they are just so brilliant (nb he was selling me a VW! But not a family car, just a city runabout) and I agreed as we have one and love it.

Toyota verso. 3 years old. £13k. V low mileage and all the extras (audio system, petrol engine, 7 seats). Bought out right. Dull drive but superbly practical for 3 kids all still in car seats.

We have recently just bought ourselves a Hyundai ix35, it's a 13 plate and cost us £7,800, one previous owner and only around 30k on the clock. We have a greyhound and a little one on the way... we love it!!

We buy outright

Last one 4 years ago was Honda CRV can't recommend enough

Prior to that X3 had for 3 years
Prefer Honda

The mechanic who looks after it for us said he'll buy it from us since he's looked after it for 8 years he knows it.

Sounds dodgy. If it's really not worth repairing, why does he want it? Some of the older BME models are now in high demand and collectors items so to speak. He'll probably fix it and make a mint on it. We've gone through a host of Japanese cars (very, very reliable) but nothing compares to the luxury feel of a BMW or Mercedes. If you're used to driving a BMW, I'd recommended sticking with the same brand. Nothing else will compare.

Also, BMWs are cheaper to repair, simply because there are so many of them around and parts so readily available.

We bought a FIat 500 MPV (so its a 7 seater, but the rear seats are really only for younger children. Its a nice roomy boot though with them down)

I think it was about 10k for a 2 year old car.

I love it. Nice high roof. Plenty of room in the back for growing kids (the 12 year old is adult sized now) and I can squeeze more people in if required which is handy for family visits.

You don't need a new car, you need a new garage!!!
Take it to an independent garage and see what they say.

A brand garage quoted 2k to get a previous car through its MOT. That was the last time I went there. The independent garage near me, managed for £700 and I've been with them ever since.

It's highly unlikely your current car isn't worth fixing, a decent well looked after 3 series will still be worth quite a bit. 2 years ago I got a 54 reg 320D and got a good deal on it- paid £2250 for it, it's currently 15 years old with 100 000 miles on the clock and still going strong. Last time I checked it had hardly devalued and they're still in high demand.
Having owned or driven Peugeot, Ford, Vauxhall, Rover, Suzuki, Nissan, VW, BMW, Audi, Jaguar I honestly doubt you'd be happy with anything that's not one of the higher spec cars. Think the last 4/5 on my list not the first 5 for example.

I work with over 100 women who all need a reliable car for work. The Honda Civic is the one most often mentioned. The mini is the one that seems most unreliable.

Hi sorry I clarified the BMW garage said it wasn't possible to repair (well worth it). The guy who looks after it said it's a great car and would give us the autotrader price on it - it does need some body work not rust but me scratching it on the side!!

I will think about a BM again - just a lot of outlay at 3 years old and want a bigger boot. Maybe a 3 series estate ?

Yes the tourers are great, or an X series, or the 2 as mentioned previously. I actually found my step mums 1 series estate roomy too.

@Astrabees The civic is quite a small hatchback though right?