sparkysmum Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 My much loved but ancient (17yr old+) Volvo Estate has finally bit the dust. We could keep it going a while longer but the repair bills are becoming stratospheric So we're probably going for a dinky new one. Trouble is we know absolutely nothing about cars except that we are interested in the s"Ooops, word censored!"page scheme. Can anyone in omletville recommend a new car which is cheap to run, cheap to buy and seats 5 people Thanks A&H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Kia. I have a Rio and absolutely adore it, the new ones are only £35 road tax and ours is a diesel. Seats 5 comfortably although they have lots of other cars in that range too. Go have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I love my Panda,Marge. She is literally like the tardis Although we don't have a central back seat lap strap,I am sure you can get one. We were only saying earlier that this is the only car we have ever had that we would change NOTHING about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furryelephant Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I have a Mitsubishi CZC which is fabulous (but will only seat two + two people with no legs in the back ) ... but have you thought of a Mitsi Colt? Good value and a lovely car to drive ... and just a little bit unusual too If that's not big enough... Honda Civic? Volvo C30 (very gorgeous!)? My sister has a Nissan Quashqai and loves it to bits... Enjoy car shopping! Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Another vote for Kia Rio here, I had one as a hire car and loved it I used to have a Renault Megane 1.9l diesel that was like lightening and wonderfully comfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 Thanks for such speedy replies I had a look at a Panda today and loved it until the salesman pointed out that they are only 4 seaters My lads are almost 16 and 15 and Hazie nearly 12, so I don't think I could squeeze them in Have seen the Kia suggested elsewhere, is the Rio big enough for strapping teenage boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 We bought a Ford Focus earlier this year and it's fab despite the fact Clarkson says it's more common than Wayne Rooneys sister the reason for that comment as its such a damn good car. I can do approx 370 miles on a full tank and is a very comfy drive, the seats fold flat and there is a good sized boot. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 My Vauxhall Zafira will seat 7 so larger than you're looking for but they are very good value as 3 year old used and often low mileage. We tend to run a car until the garage tells us it's beyond hope as we're just not sufficiently interested in them so got this as a good value practical car that just works. Edited to add - just noticed you said new - oops wasn't listening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Thanks for such speedy replies I had a look at a Panda today and loved it until the salesman pointed out that they are only 4 seaters My lads are almost 16 and 15 and Hazie nearly 12, so I don't think I could squeeze them in Have seen the Kia suggested elsewhere, is the Rio big enough for strapping teenage boys Thats a shame - did you ask if a middle belt could be custom fit? My girls are 14 & 16, & all legs,the pair of them , but they fit into Marge very comfortably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Another vote for the Focus here, although to be fair I don't often have five people in it - it is very economical, the back seat has a proper cross-over belt (I will not buy a car that only has a lap belt ) and it handles beautifully, a nice firm drive and very comfortable. I've only got a basic Focus but I'm sure there are slightly bigger more luxurious models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 The slope of the roof makes so much difference on the back seat so look for a car that is high and wide at that point, the Focus s quite a good bet from that point of view, they took a lot of design hints from the new Mondeo which is wonderfully wide and luxurious so thats good I personally dont like the drive in a Focus or the interior but if space is an issue then they are worth a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 She is literally like the tardis MIL bought us a new Nissan Note back in September - it's also like a tardis. Looks teeny from the outside but loads of headroom and legroom, lots of storage compartments, biggish boot (we can fit a german shepherd in it! ) easy on the fuel and reasonably cheap to tax, if you get the diesel it's just £35 a year tax. Came out with good results in the whatcar.com reviews. Whatcar.com do have some decent reviews on all cars so check out their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 My much loved but ancient (17yr old+) Volvo Estate has finally bit the dust. We could keep it going a while longer but the repair bills are becoming stratospheric So we're probably going for a dinky new one. Trouble is we know absolutely nothing about cars except that we are interested in the s"Ooops, word censored!"page scheme. Can anyone in omletville recommend a new car which is cheap to run, cheap to buy and seats 5 people Thanks A&H Avensis Toyota is good (estate version) v reliable and very economical VW passats again reliable and economical Both were diesels My sister has a honda with 3 seats in the front too..thats very spacey not sure which one it is good luck indie(we are looking at s"Ooops, word censored!"page too) I have a little citroen diesel C3 and love it but a C4 would be better sized for 5..I pay £46 to fill it up with Diesel and it does 600 miles to the tank ..brilliant indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I love my Citreon C3, it's lilac with purple leather seats it drives really well at steady speeds though isn't so great over 60 mph but then I don't tend to drive that fast. OH has a Ford focus saloon which he loves driving and I find it really comfy and spacious as a passenger. He is ordering a new one in the new year - though they don't do the saloon model anymore. I don't like driving the Focus though - it feels like a tank after my C3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 C3 car tax £35 a year and I was told by Citroen they make Ford Gear boxes?? thats what I was told anyway 3 years ago? Again love my C3 best car I have ever had 1.4 engine am thinking of getting another one good luck indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 We too have a Ford Focus (the estate version for the dog). Just got a 2009 model to replace our 05 one. I can highly recommend it, very roomy and economical and the best thing about the Fords is that they have a heated front windscreen which clears thick ice in about 2 minutes with no s"Ooops, word censored!"ing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I had a C4 for two years.it was a good sized car,plenty of room in the back and very comfortable on long journeys.My only complaint was that I found it a tad sluggish. I now have a Hyundai Toucson which I absolutely love! But it would probably be too big for your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Skoda Fabia fan here!! It is one of the biggest cars having 1.4l (Volkswagen) engine hence cheapest insurance band. Extremely reliable, easy to maintain and a big boot space. We transferred almost all our furniture (only mattress did not fit) when we moved into our place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 We've had Toyotas for years. Looking for a new car recently we looked all around, and it seems that Toyotas are now being built down to a price rather than up to a quality standard. Lots of corners cut, and we didn't go with them. Our specifications were different, and we have ordered a VW Golf. Now I know that isn't particularly roomy (we have the Land Rover for roomy and off road, and large trailers etc), but I was impressed with the VW quality compared with other makes we looked at. I wasn't impressed with the first VW dealer we went into, but shopping around we found another dealer who were helpful and willing to deal. I would look at the VW's, or anything with a VW engine such as a Skoda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 17, 2009 Author Share Posted December 17, 2009 Hello Thank you for all your replies. We have considered everything but at the end of the day our budget is miniscule & so have decided to go for a Kia. I have to say our teenage boys are unimpressed Jeremy Clarkson has such a lot to answer for We will probably order it in the Christmas holidays. Very at the demise of our Volvo. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
