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

[nutcackle]

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 ??

Renaults are generally good value secondhand. I'd avoid Scenic around R reg as I do know a couple of people who have had particular problems with them so there may be a general fault. Lagunas are big enough to fit 3 seats across the back as is a Scenic) but I don't hink they come as 1.4 - not sure.

Never buy an automatic Renault though - Renault automatic gearboxes are cr*p

Thanks for all the advice. Have made a list of good and bad and stuck it under dp's nose

I have a r reg renault scenic and have had it for a couple of years...no problems at all with it. It is a lovely car but the I may have just been one of the lucky ones..lol

We have a P-reg Astra that's awesome. BUT, it is a 1.7. Txx is about £180/annum but we buy a £5 stamp every week so we don't have to pay it all at the once. Insurance isn't too bad, either.

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I keep saying we will do that Expat, infact once we have taxed the car next month i will start doing that.

OMG meggymoo..I really must be one of the lucky ones..either that or someone has fixed any problems there were???????

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what a nightmare for you...must admit one of my fears is breaking down..with a toddler and being pg..or worse when baby is here!!!

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Friends have had problems with the speedo - both of them (one R one S) the speedo just stopped working for periods of time. Great for the mileage mind you. Also problems with the alarm and the car cutting out.