'family' car recomendations

[chrishill 0]

debating with a co-worker over good, cheap, relyable family cars. I'm of the opinion (being a touch biased) that a higher milage A4 or passat would make a perfectly good family waggon since they're fairly cheap (we're setting a 'for example' price of about 3k) will be bombproof being part of the VAG range and look reasonably nice. He on the other hand swings towards the likes of the laguna and focus. can anyone add weight to my argument since I've got little experiance of living with any of these cars!

[Henny 0]

Lagunas have terrible problems with electrics and the interiors kinda fall apart (like most french cars) with age, so expect not a lot of build quality with a sub 3K french car...

 

Focii seem to be doing a bit better age wise, and I don't know of any serious problems with them to be honest... they're just a bit bland and common... :|

 

My best mate has just picked up an R plate 1.9TDI passat estate with 90K miles, full service history (first 60K main dealer, then a specialist) one years MOT and 6 months tax for £2300... That's a whole shed load of car for not a lot of money... 8) That's what I'd go for if I was after one, or possibly even a SEAT or Skoda of the VAG era... 8)

[steve_16v 0]

I used to have a 96 Seat Toledo 2.0 16v (ABF engine), not the best looking motor admittedly but it looks alright in 2.0 16v form with the bigger front splitter, body coloured bumpers/spoiler etc. Plus its feckin huge inside, the boot was as big as most estates, had half leather, all electric, did about 33mpg, and with 150bhp as standard it goes really well and no-one has a clue what it is. I once remember racing an integra type-r down a long stretch of private road :wink: and whilst yes the integra was pulling away from me by the time we reached 135mph he was only about 100m in front! Not bad for less than £2K

[Dr Forinor 0]

I was gonna recommend an A4 aswell, as soon as I seen the title.

 

Either that, or what about a Honda Accord?

[davidwort 0]

debating with a co-worker over good, cheap, relyable family cars. I'm of the opinion (being a touch biased) that a higher milage A4 or passat would make a perfectly good family waggon since they're fairly cheap (we're setting a 'for example' price of about 3k) will be bombproof being part of the VAG range and look reasonably nice. He on the other hand swings towards the likes of the laguna and focus. can anyone add weight to my argument since I've got little experiance of living with any of these cars!

 

hate to say it but mondeos are pretty good if you can get into the new shape ones, more car for the money than a focus. A friend had a couple of year old laguna, on the face of it a lot of car for the money, but it had fault after fault and he's part ex'ed it for an old shape Avensis, much happier now.

 

David.

[Son of a Beesting 0]

Lagunas have terrible problems with electrics and the interiors kinda fall apart

 

My dad has had a couple (cue abuse) and he has had a few problems but he is pretty happy with it. I wouldnt say they are badly put together. I think car manufactuers (sp) have there own strengths and weaknesses.

 

But im biased and I would say a Passat as parts are a bit cheaper and i think it would be cheaper overall.

[chrishill 0]

the electrical faults with the laguna helps since my only reasoning against them up until now was that they're french! I've had poor experiances with ford in the past which make it quite easy to argue against them. The accord's not a bad suggestion, i'd imagine they're fairly well equipt and reliable.

 

henny your mates passat sounds like a corker for the cash, part of my argument is that around 100k miles on a VW engine isnt all that much, but it lowers the price meaning you get more car for your cash.

[BigTartanJudge 0]

Out of all the cars mentioned above, have to agree with Henny, VW Passat TDi all the way, huge boot, economical, smooth to drive, quite powerful too, reliable, reasonably cheap parts etc, etc. Would defo be the one for me if had to buy family car !

 

Cheers

[Geo 0]

The laguna is a desperate car.

 

The newer fords, ie focus and 01->mondeo are great cars, much better than the mk4 golf and passat for both reliability and handling.

 

But I'd still go with the passat rather than drive a f*rd :D

[Jimjam 0]

Surely nothing would beat a current shape Mondeo for the money?

[chrishill 0]

I've heard good things about them, but for the money its unlikely you'd find a 01> mondeo.

[Henny 0]

Avoid if it's a new diesel Ford... the engines may produce nice power and be economical, but, MAN, do they ever rattle and clatter like a bag of old bolts attached to a train... :|

[Walesy 0]

I wouldn't p1iss on a Ford if it was on fire. I had an Audi a4 Tdi and loved it...my bro has a Bora Tdi (( in the States )) and it's a great engine.

[Campaign 0]

I would recommend a Seat Toledo myself, a "mint" Mk1 can be had for not much more than £1500, and a corker of a Mk2 V5 I have seen for less than £3k

[craigowl 0]

IMO - Passat or Octavia Tdi lead the pack.

[Dirtysouth 0]

passat tdi or 20v there are really comfortable

[dinkus 10]

I hear the Ssangyong Rodius is really nice - http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=12107

 

:lol:

[Campaign 0]

Looking to swap my Passat 1.8T for a Toledo Mk2 V5, as the spec is FAR higher, cost about the same, better economy from the Seat, just not quite as much room.

[chrishill 0]

what are the 1.8T's like in terms of running costs out of interest? the fact its got a turbo always makes me think its going to be expensive to maintain

[H8RRA 0]

Bora tdi's are great value - i've just got a 'p' plate golf tdi gl for £600 - thats cheap as chips man...

 

now has gti suspension all round for the grand total of £80 - BARGAIN - and only 45 mins to fit :shock:

[Walesy 0]

that certtainly is!!..

 

if you plan on selling let me know!>. :wink:

[chrishill 0]

thats exceptionally cheap!

[H8RRA 0]

that certtainly is!!..

 

if you plan on selling let me know!>. :wink:

 

its yours for £1200 :wink:

 

the other bonnet in shot is an audi convertible - wor lass didn't want it and is keeping her polo!!!! thats for sale £2999 - reasonable family car? - 4 seats and boot - optional roof :roll: and half leather.......

[dinkus 10]

You can pick up the tin-top Audi coupe's for about £600 if you look about...

 

Not really family cars though (well not any more so than a Corrado ;) )

[Walesy 0]

ok...did you buy this from Philios Fog then?....whats the mileage?/condition. :mrgreen: