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Original poster

£1000 to buy a used car big enough for family of 5, what would you reccomend (apart from the bus LOL)

61 replies

nutcackle · 07/10/2005 20:53

We may be able to borrow £1000 to get a new car (possibly £1400 if you add on old cars value), but obviously that isn't going to by an awful lot.

What we want is something reliable, big enough for family of 5 with 3 kids in booster seats.

Also has to be 1.4 or less so we get the cheap tax and insurance.

Have had a quick look on Auto trader but am getting no where fast really.

Saw some Hyundai accents, that had lowish mileage and a good price, but are they any good ??

OP posts:
startingtobehalloweenylover · 07/10/2005 20:55

i think you're pushing it tbh!
you don't get much car for £1400... and bear in mind that if you buy a cheap car you may end up forking out for a lot more stuff when things go wrong

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 20:56

Well yeah but it's that or no car at all and dp has to have a car to get to work.

OP posts:
misdee · 07/10/2005 20:57

hmmmmmz, maybe a 'lesser' known car, daewoo, or a korean import. KIA are cheaper, tho may be too new on the market. nissans are goodm but you;d be looking at a 7-10yr model.

jessicaandbumpsmummy · 07/10/2005 20:57

dont know what to suggest, but im driving a hyundai accent at the moment while my car is being fixed (only a 3dr) but its lovely. I took it to butlins in the summer as well.... drives really well. The only thing that bugged me was the wipers and indicators are on the wrong sides compared to my mondeo!

startingtobehalloweenylover · 07/10/2005 20:59

daewoo don't exist anymore... taken over by chrysler (or chevrolet?)

misdee · 07/10/2005 21:01

chevolet.

if you do find a car you like on the private second hand market, you'll be wise to get someone who knows about car to check it over. we bought a car from a garage about 2yres ago, it went through MOT fine, within 4 months the exhaust had gone and the petrol tank had corroded.

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:02

Thanks, funnily enough I just looked at some Kia ones and we really like them (Kia sportage is it) but they would be the higher tax and insurance bracket again which we were trying to get away from.

The Hyundai one is a 5 door 1.3 LSI automatic, 1998 , 61000 miles FSH etc etc.

OP posts:
startingtobehalloweenylover · 07/10/2005 21:03

my poiny exactly misdee!

if something seems too good to be true it usually is.

we bought a renault scenic cheaply, put it through a service and ended up paying £950 to get it fixed up again!

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:03

Oh don't worry my dad always checks over every car we get and I wouldn't trust anyone elses opinion on one either as my dad knows his stuff.

OP posts:
startingtobehalloweenylover · 07/10/2005 21:03

also, bear in mind that on a biggish car 1.4 is going to be pretty sluggish to drive.

My beetle was bad enough and that was 1.3

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:04

Yeah but starlover we have to have something. We can look around thats no prob, don't have to go for the first thing we see, and like i said my dad knowscars like the back of his hand.

OP posts:
vickiyumyum · 07/10/2005 21:04

mondeos are reliable. i had an old L reg mondeo estate that just seemed to fly through its mots with no work needing to be done and had no intention of changing it until some idiot boy racer decided to reverse into it and write it off.
have a 54 reg focus now and tbh preferred the mndeo (don't tell dh though, as i nagged him about getting a new car one day!)

not the most glamourous of cars but three car seats fit into them and plenty of boot space, even in the non estate version. my dad keeps saying he will rpelace his mondeo when it fails its mot and again his keeps just passing each time (M reg)

misdee · 07/10/2005 21:04

AND DONT REVERSE IT INTO LAMP POSTS.

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:04

Really Starlover, hmmm that bad that it's worth paying more road tax for something more than 1.4 do you think ??

OP posts:
MrsSpoon · 07/10/2005 21:05

We've got an 'S' reg Peugeot 406, it's only worth about £1,000 (or less) now, it's been fantastic so far.

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:05

Well i can't drive Misdee so wouldn't be reversing it anywhere

OP posts:
startingtobehalloweenylover · 07/10/2005 21:08

nutcackle... yes, i would DEFINITELY pay the extra tax, sucky tho it is!
very difficult to nip out at junctions etc otherwise!

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:08

Just showed Dp the Kia Sportage ones and he's dribbling LOL.

They are nice but heavy on the petrol i think.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:08

Right will bear that in mind then Starlover, cos i discounted a few for being over 1.4.

OP posts:
misdee · 07/10/2005 21:08

whats your dp no-claims bonus like? do some quotes for insurence on cars u like. u may be surprised.

vickiyumyum · 07/10/2005 21:11

sorry to butt in , where did you see the sportage cheaply, as my dh has been looking for one too!

Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:11

Good idea Misdee. Just out of interest, what is your insuarnce on your Matiz as a new driver ??

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcackle · 07/10/2005 21:11

On Auto trader Vicky. They had a couple for under £1400 and one for £1999.

OP posts:
jessicaandbumpsmummy · 07/10/2005 21:15

i love mondeo's too.... mine had its brakes done today and will be MOT'd tomorrow (M reg) and hoping it will fly through!

vickiyumyum · 07/10/2005 21:17

cheers just found some on autotrader, but near us they all seem to be pink! (although it says metallic red) or white. dh hates white cars for some strange reason.

they are pretty reasonable though, do you know anyone who has already got one to check out reliability etc?