Advice re a runaround

[Bella1905]

I have decided we need a second little runaround car as I am struggling with juggling work and all the school and nursery drop offs/pick ups myself whilst my husband uses our only car for his job. He is reluctant to get a second car because of the cost but it isn't him who is burnt out trying to manage all the pick ups and drop offs whilst also working. We only really need a very basic second car but could anyone give me an idea of what we'd be looking at monthly and also what sort of price of car we are best purchasing as I don't want to be penny wise pound fullish and then it needs lots spending on it. I don't really know where to start so would really appreciate some advice. Thank you!

If you are talking about 'school and nursery' drop offs, then I'd avoid a 3 door.

If you are looking for economy, then start by googling cars with a low insurance group.

If you do not need to do long journeys / take it on holiday / carry lots of luggage or furniture or equipment, then go for a smaller engine.

If you are looking for an older car, then go for a Toyota, Honda, or Skoda.

New or second hand VW Polo might be good for you. Or Toyotas have a long warranty (10 yrs from first registration)

Astonishing how selfish and thoughtless some men can be.

Arnold Clark has a huge used car sale on at the minute. If I remember rightly, they’ll bring a car from another location to your location for you too.

@BBQPete great advice, I was going to say avoid Audi, BMW etc and any of the slightly pricey brands as parts of expensive and they tend to be over complicated.

What budget do you have that may help to narrow down, a 2k eBay 80s banger or a suggestion of a 12k finance car with monthly payments and warranty?

And how long would you like to ideally keep the car? Depends on again finance warranty periods and depreciation.

Wow, thank you so much all for the really helpful advice. @creamsnugjumper I'm not totally sure of budget yet but probably around £2k and then roughly up to £250/£300 per month for insurance, tax etc.

Make sure you are aware of the new car tax rises coming in in April, it will see the abolition of the £0 & £35 tax rates and everyone will pay a basic £190 on y2 onwards of the car's life plus a further £410 if the retail value is over £40k new.

Avoid anything that attracts a boy-racer image as insurance is mental do VW polo/golf, corsages certain fiestas etc.

Maybe look at a C2. Peugeot etc?

I recommend a little Skoda fabia. Easiest car I’ve ever owned. Parts in abundance and good value. Mine is a 2009 and it’s been absolutely brilliant for several years.

Thank you so much all 🙏

I bought a £1k fiat panda 5 door as second car. It's like a washing machine on wheels really, but very reliable although I didn't like taking it in the motorway (would be crushed like a bug in an accident)!
Did us really well and we were all very fond of it. You sit up nice and high too!
Sold it in covid.

I bought a VW fox as a run around for me to get to work and shops, take the dogs out in etc. Really cheap to insure ( £30 a month) and small engine sounds can use if when she comes home from uni, I use Veygo for temporary insurance for her. Tax is about £20 a month I think and I use £20'a week in fuel. Simple car which isn't too fancy but I love it!

Cars which only seat 2 passengers in the rear seats are cheaper to insure than those which seat 3 passengers. I have teens, we found this out a couple of years ago.

What does your husband use the main car for? Does he do a lot of driving for his job? Does he need a car or can he use public transport? Maybe he can find a little runaround and you can have the main car, as you'll be using it more and would benefit from bigger boot, 4 doors, space for extra children etc.