family car ideas tiny budget

Alib2009

Hi, looking for some help. Mum of one toddler currently driving a 97 Starlet which is great car running like clock work but is very small. Thinking of having second child, only myself drives DH is planning on learning. Looking for recommendations for a car which takes two kid seats decent size buggy shopping etc. Of course there is a catch we only have a very tiny budget of approx <€4,000. Looking for any tips, advise and do’s and don’ts, planning on having AA and my own mechanic review the car so okay on that front. I was thinking along the lines - Ford Focus/Skoda Octavia/ Nissan etc so open to all.

Thanks for the help

1.6 Toyota Avensis
Won't guzzle the juice, nice and comfy, very reliable and nice big boot. Also loads of them about for reasonable money. €4000 would get you a great one.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/1.6i-Aur/200933194886605/advert?channel=CARS

Bit outside your budget but good example of what could be got, wait till before Christmas to by and buying for cash will get chunks off the screen price.

unkel

Alib2009 wrote: »

Thinking of having second child, only myself drives DH is planning on learning.

Don't buy anything bigger until Mr DH can drive (has passed the test) and / or the second child is nearly there. Get on with those jobs first

€4k is an ok budget and it will buy you a decent family size car these days. Particularly good value in Ireland are family saloon cars the size of the Avensis, Vectra, Mondeo, Primera, etc. They are cheaper to buy than same condition, same year cars a size smaller, you get a lot more car and luxury, comfort, space and safety for your money and they cost only a little bit more to run than small family cars like the Focus, etc.

smash

you'll get a santa fe for under 4k

pred racer

unkel wrote: »

€4k is an ok budget and it will buy you a decent family size car these days. Particularly good value in Ireland are family saloon cars the size of the Avensis, Vectra, Mondeo, Primera, etc. They are cheaper to buy than same condition, same year cars a size smaller, you get a lot more car and luxury, comfort, space and safety for your money and they cost only a little bit more to run than small family cars like the Focus, etc.

Good advice....+1

Id add the c5 in there aswell but only if buying a diesel.

Zube

steve06 wrote: »

you'll get a santa fe for under 4k

Maybe, but the OP wants a car.

Even the diesel Santy are heavy on juice.

smash

I was just thinking about the space for a family with 2 kids...

Alib2009

Thanks Roverjames sounds along the lines i was thinking. Steve06 - not a fan of the Santes, just personally not a fan a bit nervous that you would not see a child behind you personal thing.

Thanks Unkel, the DH learning to drive unfortuantely is down to medical condition so at the back of my mind i know i will be the lead driver indefinely. But i know what you mean. I think taking all on board i will do as some have suggested and bide my time until the Christmas and see what deals are to be had have my Father in law on hand to bargain but want to have a short list so i am dragging him around the country!.

Looking at the list and i suppose my priority would be safety and reliability. Must start getting the eyes out there.

kuro_man

consider getting an estate - Golf or Focus or even Mondeo/passat etc. Great boot space for kids & babies.

edit:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200932194826615

Mayoegian

RoverJames wrote: »

1.6 Toyota Avensis
Won't guzzle the juice, nice and comfy, very reliable and nice big boot. Also loads of them about for reasonable money. €4000 would get you a great one.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/1.6i-Aur/200933194886605/advert?channel=CARS

Bit outside your budget but good example of what could be got, wait till before Christmas to by and buying for cash will get chunks off the screen price.

+A zillion!

We have a toyota Avensis, 1.6 1998. Absolutely the best cars in the World!! 4 children and 2 adults and 320000 miles on it! And it's still like a new car. The gentle hum of the engine sounds like a new car-it really does. It flew past the NCT and I just can't recommend it enough.

'Toyota the best built cars in the world'-so true:D

Mayoegian

Before ya buy a car though that you're looking at, go onto mywheels.ie and type in the registration no. and it shows up how many owners, NCT due etc.

kuro_man

over budget, but good value imo

Primera estate
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200933194903928

civildefence

Buy a decent 1997 Toyota Carina E and spend the rest on a holiday.

Mayoegian

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200905191657839

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200930194669522

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200932194849163

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200933194883858

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200930194690791

Now, they're a few Avensis' for ya! This is the link to the list I'm looking at:http://http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search

They're all petrol, refine the search if you're looking for diesel!

Good Luck!:)

Alib2009

Guys ye are too good, spent Saturday with the father in law online narrowing down the list. Looks like it will be an avensis for me - it took our big buggy, travel cot, and suitcase and still had space and it had the isofix which makes my life a lot easier.

Cheers Guys.