Decent reliable family car on a lean budget. Any ideas?

[Chrysanthamum]

Hello, I'm probably not even in the right place so feel free to redirect me. Our car a citreon xsara is on the blink for the 6th time since Jan (it was 2nd hand) We've spent a fortune already so we're going to have to just bite the bullet and get a new or nearly new car soon. We've 2 kids so 2 babyseats and might have another. Our budget is v lean. we'd consider a lease if its more economical. Anyone out there know of any good car deals? Please let me know

Have recently got a Fiat Doblo.

On the plus side, reliable, Diesel 1.9ltr is economical, sliding doors, so easy to get kids in and out, massive bootspace, cheap insurance group.

Negative: it isn't attractive and if you like to thrash around, then this is not for you.

YOu will be able to negotiate a good deal this side of Xmas, hardly anybody buys cars this time of year and in the current economic climate but sales staff still have their targets!

Not sure what your budget is but I went to a car auction in Manchester although there are several around the country.I am not a mechanic but bought a 3 year old Xsara picasso for 3.9k( includes acution fee) it had only done 14000miles ( ex motability).
At the time in August I couldn't get a car similar for less than 5.7k at the dealers/private sale, paying cash with no exchange.

Tips get a current parkers guide form newsagents get there early enough to have a look at the cars before they go in to auction. Be prepared to walk away without a car if prices are not in your favour or there is nothing you like.

You are bidding normally against dealers so you can generally bid higher then they back off.I did see a Tacuma go for 2.1k that was 3 years old ( it was into a higher future tax bracket so i didn't bid on it but for that price I might havereconsidered.)

it is nerve racking and they go very fast so you'll want to watch for a while.
In the past 10 years my DH and I have bought 3 cars at auction and had no problems, this time as I an seperated I had to do it myself.

Ive got a 1994 Vauxhall Astra 1.4l.
Its got 130,000 on the clock and still going strong, was on a web site where a guy had over 350,000 on his and his was still doing well.
Reliable and parts are cheap for repair.

You would defo get one of my year for well under £500.

My budget is VERY lean, lol.

Thanks for all the advice, i'll shop around. Everyone says its a buyers market just now and might get better still this month. Here's hoping! It sounds good I suppose but when you're a bit skint it doesn't make that much difference. I wonder what'll happen with the banks and mortgages and all that over the next few weeks. Anyone got any hunches? cheery ones?

If you are buying from a dealer, try and buy at the end of the month when they are trying to hit their sales target. You could get a better deal.

Our last car we had while in the UK was a 2002 Mondeo. It was a lovely car to drive, very comfortable and had loads of boot space. I think we paid about £5k, it was 4yrs old and had done about 70,000 miles.

We've got a fiat doblo. It's fab. we ahve three children under 4 and they all fit on the back seat. camping this summer was a breeze- loads of boot space. Very economical to run. Ours was a bargain- extremely low mileage and as new. It's a 1.9ltr and the are harder to find.

WE did have an astra which was fab, but won't fit the three seats.

Anyone know anything about the Nissan note? There's a not bad deal on at AC near us. Sounds too good to be true almost.

We have a seat Altea XL, it is absolutely fab, the car before this one was Xsara Piccasso, much prefer thiss one.
It is !.9 Diesel and much more economical than piaccasso. (we only have to fill it up fortnightly, whereas with other it was every 4-5 days)

We lease ours for £300 pm it is just what works for us as we are both High mileage users.

It is comfortable, reliable, economical, easy to drive, looks nice etc.

We would consider buying one once this ones lease is up, so it must be good as we don't often say that about cars.

It is fab, and i love love love it!

Have a look at the JD Power report for reliability of makes/models. The What Car website also has lots of useful info. I guess you also need to factor in up front costs ie more expensive initial outlay against costs of repair of future problems, servicing costs etc.

I think the Note's Ok and Nissan are pretty good for reliability. I'm sure they talk about the Note on the What Car website.

It's a buyer's market at the moment so you should get a good deal.