€10 to €15k cash budget for a family car

maccydoodies

Im in the market for a new family car. I have two children already, and one on the way. So in the back seat will be one booster, one car seat and one 12yo.

Im looking for a diesel, preferably around 2ltr to pull around the family caravan:D. Low on tax, if at all possible. If not low on tax, not above €576 which is my car tax bill on my current car. Big boot, would consider 7 seater.

I have looked at the new Hyundai ix35 and although its out of my price range (€28,250) I could afford to get a loan of the extra but I dont want to go down that road just yet until I see what the second hand options are. The tax is only €302 on the ix35 and its a 2Ltr diesel, but I cant help but feel as Im being ripped off with buying a new car. I hate the way there is a set price and its the same with every dealer, is that not price fixing??? (anyway thats a whole other thread). And of course there is no budge on the price.


I currenlty have a Renault Laguna 1.9 diesel which is great on the diesel.

Any recommendations??

Mac

JJJJNR

The SEAT Altea was awarded the "town car of the Year' Award, by The Caravan Club in collaboration with the What Car mag a couple of years ago.

Tea 1000

A set price isn't price fixing for a set item from the same place. All Hyundai garages get their cars from Hyundai, the same place, who sets the same price. The only thing that will vary is the dealer charges, which won't vary by much.
There's plenty in the 15k bracket that you'd pick up. 2008 upwards are your options if you want to avail of the new CO2 based tax.
Are you looking for another saloon?

maccydoodies

Altea sounds good, thanks for that.

Im open to any model, so it doesnt have to be a saloon.

Mac

bazz26

If you could stretch your budget a bit you might be able to pick up a Ford S-Max like this:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201011197278056

One of the better MPVs out there but they are pricy.

mumblin deaf ro

Given the age spread of your kids you probably don't need a car that can fit three child seats, but it might get a bit cramped for the 12-year old sitting in the middle of two younger kids, so you might want to think about a 7-seater like the S-Max recommended above.

Another option is the Honda FRV which has three seats up front and back and which has a decent enough boot, whereas a 7-seater with all three rows of seats in use will have a smaller boot.

Here's a 2006 FRV within your budget - the downside is that it's a petrol though and smaller than 2l.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/FR-V/1.7-SE-S/201010197207826/advert?channel=CARS

maccydoodies

Bazz, the s max looks the bizzo, I love the three actual seats not two with enough for half a bum in the middle. I like that its a diesel also.

MDR, I was looking into these a while ago as I love the idea of the three seats in the front but the petrol engine puts me off. Do they come in diesel?? (im off to CZ to have a look)

Thanks again for the ideas folks. Keep em coming!

Mac

bmw535d

bmw 520d:)

JJJJNR

The SMAX is a stunner, well worth the extra bit if you can.

VolvoMan

Volvo V50?:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V50/V50-2.0-/201008197027354/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V50/Estate-S/200945195747464/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

Also look at the Mazda 5, it has a sliding door at the side which is handy in tight car park spaces:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201005196817180

And Honda FR-V:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201008197035697

argosy2006

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Isuzu/D-Max/3.0-TD-C/201013197397994/advert?channel=CARS HIGH TAX THOUGH

Zubeneschamali

maccydoodies wrote: »

Bazz, the s max looks the bizzo, I love the three actual seats not two with enough for half a bum in the middle. I like that its a diesel also.

Ford sold a few 5 seaters initially back in 2006 (the two jump seats in the boot were optional for a short while). This gives a truly enormous boot, but would be less flexible and be harder to sell on. If it suits, though, it should be a bit cheaper to buy.