Haven't got much to spend? Advice needed, please? Ford or Vauxhall?

[EggsOvaryZee]

Hi there
Have no idea about cars. Have owned 3, all 'old bangers' - bought for less than £1,000.
Now, my Daewoo Nexia is dying....or has died. Don't want to throw good money after bad.
Looking at getting a loan and buying another 'new old' car.
My ma previously bought my last 2.
need a 4 door but have no idea of what eelse I should be looking for except mileage under 80,000.
People have mentioned Ford and vauxhall since being british, they are easier to find/buy parts for should something go wrong.
I know that a smaller engine 1.4 or 1.6 is cheaper.
Any other tips? Advice on a decent family car?

More info is needed. How many kids? Do you need pushchair space? Space for toddler/baby stuff?

Also, don't discount cars with over 80k on the clock.

OK, 2 kids - 4 and 3. Don't need big boot, never go anywhere and don't have a buggy. Prefer petrol and a mnaual. OH doesn't drive, so I'm the only driver. Only do short work/nurselry runs, prob less than 4000 miles a year...
Any tips - makes would be SO WELCOMED!
I mean, what's the pros and cons regarding buying from the paper, off the side of the road, from a garage?! What questions should I be asking? I don't have anyone to 'help' em buy....

personally I'd go for a japanese built car, mitubishi, toyota, subaru... go on forever if maintained... these cars can go on well over 80 000 miles, old volvos are brilliant too, if a little petrol thirsty.

any car you look at, don't even bother with it if it doesn't have a verifiable service history, and a recent cam belt change. Buying from a garage you will normally have comeback, same with a dealer, but I have found it's usually better if you buy from a place that also does the mechanics rather than a place that just gives them a valet and sells them on.

1.4 is cheaper tax ,for me I would go for Vauxhall over Ford even tho we have had several of both .I have a thing for Astras, Ive had 5 lol

Look for an older Skoda Fabia. VW quality without the mark up for the badge. Diesel cars often go on to 150000 + miles

Go japanese for reliability. And walk away from a garage who won't give you six months warranty on parts and labour. Personally I try to get a year out of them.

A friend of mine used to buy and sell cars at auction. He always recommends ford, for reliability, value for money, ease of finding parts etc. we've had two ford focus cars, and both have been very reliable and are easy to drive. But they are pretty boring!

I was in a similar situation not long ago.

My lovely car (which I had just bloody finished paying for ) was written off.

Wasn't in a position to borrow and once the excess was paid I didn't have much more that a £1200 to cover everything.

Found a mark III Astra on eBay, listed by a classified seller.

Got it for £900.

It truly is a fugly looking old thing but it's got 65,000 on it, is in nice condition and has a 16v 1.4 litre engine so cheaper tax but still a bit of poke. Plus the back is plenty big enough for the extended rear-facing car seat.

Had it MOT'd for the first time 3 months ago and it sailed through.

Don't know if any of that is relevant

OP I would agree with you, Ford or Vauxhall, purely for cost of parts and ease of repair. Hopefully that will never be relevant but with older cars it's the biggest consideration (IMO obviously)

Good luck!