Small cars - Best used buy for family of 5 ???

[WSM]

Hi all

Hopefully I am v close to passing my driving test according to my instructor and so my thoughts have turned to cars. My requirements are as follows

• 5 Doors
• Hatchback
• Reliable
• Easy to park / drive (no awkward gearboxes please !)
• Enough boot space for a fairly large buggy (Urban Detour 3 wheeler), though I do have a Maclaren Techno too so not essential.
• Roomy enough for 15 month old DD's large Britax 1st Class car seat and 2 pre-teen boys.
• Good visibility all round.
• Ideally no older than s or T reg
• Reasonably cheap to run (as it'll be our 2nd car).

I have approx £4000 to spend. I was thinking along the lines of the Corsa/Fiesta/Punto/306. Do any of you Mumsnetters have one of these (or similar) models and what are the pros and cons ?

TIA
WSM

I had a P reg pUnto and it was very roomy in the back - fitted my 6'2 dad in and a mamas and papas sherpa chassis

get a 1.2 tho

What was reliability like ? I have heard a bit too much of the 'Fix It Again Tony' lines!

VW's are very reliable and hold their prices well .
I love my Polo - very safe and well-made!

It was fine - apart from when I overheated it by not adding any water -- ever

A bit boring, our 2nd car is an Astra and it is v economical to run, cheap for parts and servicing and insurance group is low - compare peugeot306 or punto for similar 5 door hatch and the insurance is always more expensive. I have a Britax renaissance in the back for DD, and 2 nieces (11 and 8) can still fit in the back. Pushchair - M and P venezia, fits in the boot fine, (but not much shopping!).

Try autotrader or what car websites for best 2nd hand deals and other recommendations??

A bit boring, our 2nd car is an Astra and it is v economical to run, cheap for parts and servicing and insurance group is low - compare peugeot306 or punto for similar 5 door hatch and the insurance is always more expensive. I have a Britax renaissance in the back for DD, and 2 nieces (11 and 8) can still fit in the back. Pushchair - M and P venezia, fits in the boot fine, (but not much shopping!).

Try autotrader or what car websites for best 2nd hand deals and other recommendations??

Oops! sorry for double post.

I have a Renault Clio and its a lovely car to drive, nippy, easy to park, lots of good features inside. Always starts first time, fits my three DD's in the back, including one in a second stage car seat and also fitted an Urban Detour buggy in the back when I had one, although dont expect room for much else with any of the small cars..lol! You will certainly get one for under £4,000 and a T reg, and its our ideal second car. Good luck with your looking.

ive driven one of those and they are ratther sexy to drive,,,,

I have just got a new megane - what about an older one?

Or a scenic?

I know they are a little bit bigger, but I think you would all be a little bit squished in a Punto.

Va Va voom

WSM my mum has a 306 and it seems very nice. I would never buy a french car though, not v reliable (though Peugeot are the best of the bunch I believe)

Was watching Top Gear last night and they slated the Corsa (though we had a Nova years ago that was a brilliant car!)

They said that the Nissan Micra or the Toyota Yaris were the best - they mentioned another one and I can't remember which now. Sorry.

Don't forget that your two pre-teens will soon be 6ft giants and it might be better to go for something a little bigger like Golf sized. Not as cheap to run or insure though.

IMO Japanese cars are the most reliable.

Puntos are great because they have a little bit of extra height on the doors so its easier to get baby in and out of car seat. I don't like the "feel" of them though, but I'm sure you get used to it (I've only ever hired one).

However for boot space I think the Astra is about the biggest (for a small car).

Also worth thinking about is the Micra - roomy enough and my sister's 18 year old one has proved to be extremely reliable!

Thanks for the advice girls.

I do like the Clio and the new Megane (the old one is hideous) but I used to work for Renault (in the Fleet Dept) and I'm aware that parts and labour are astronomical (equal to that of Audi!).

We've had a couple of VW's in our time (the last being a brand new Golf 4Motion on a 51 reg). Whilst the car was lovely inside and great to drive we found that they are expensive to buy in the first place (more so than most of their equal class competitors) and their after sales customer service is frankly shocking. I wouldn't have another VW if you paid me !

The car I've described below will only really be a temp vehicle anyway, just to get me used to being in the driving seat, and will be changed for a smallish 7 seater in 18 or so months time. We'll need to change it as we plan our 4th child arriving in the next couple of years and we'll need that extra seat.

WSM the parts are only expensive at a Clio garage..lol...I have had very little changed up until now but have a local garage that I have used with all my cars and they can repair for less than half the price of the Renault garages. Cant believe the dealers charge such rip off prices.

My mum has a Fiesta and has had one for many years and is very pleased with it and on boot space its pretty roomy compared to some of the other cars.

Yes we used to have a golf and it was v expensive to service.

My Mum also has a 306 (W reg) and it is great, though the trim is a bit tacky and plasticky. I do like the Yaris a lot but realistically it's out of my price range.

The Micra is too small for my lot, the old one anyway, and the new one is too new to be in my price range.

WSM,

Would recommend the Scenic if you are not looking for a 7 seater yet. We have 4wd version which drives well and comfortably but have also driven the normal model. I can get dd in her Britax Freeway plus ds on booster seat plus an adult comfortably in the back. We also have a 3 wheeler which is not terribly compact and have used it for several driving holidays with a boot load of paraphenalia (see previous People carrier thread). It is quite flexible with loads of legroom in the back and you can slide rear seats forward and back depending on whether you need more passenger or luggage space. Also it has a 3 point belt in the middle seat where many similar cars only have a lap belt. The kids like the higher position so they can see out easily.

hth

Thanks Liz but see my earlier posts re Renault !!

DDs godmother has a Scenic and it breaks down all the time!

How about something like a Toyota Corolla? Not very exciting but reliable and the right size if you get the hatch.

c

Sorry - I have to add the Renault curently have an appalling after sales record - breakdowns and lots of things going wrong. I would steer clear even though I love the adverts.

The only thing I like about the adverts is Thierry Henry Oh, is that Renault come to think of it? Could be any french car I spose.

I know you said you wanted a hatchback but it may be worth having a look at a 406. We have one of these and while I initially thought it was a pretty ugly car you get loads for your money. Massive boot, you could probably get two Urban Detours in it, also nice big back seat that would probably take three car seats (cannot confirm this as I only have two in ours but can fit an adult & the two car seats in the back if necessary), three proper seatbelts in the back. Happy shopping.

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