Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Wed 20 May 2015 18:20
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - hr21

Hello all,

I am looking for a small family car with a maximum budget of £4,500 maximum.

I really want a car which offers the following, in order of preference too...

Reliability

Low running costs/ servicing costs

At least 300ltr boot

50+ mpg (pref 60 on longer runs at 56-60mph)

Tax no more than £130 per year.

Essentially something which will get me from point A to point B with minimum fuss, starts every time and so forth. Of course all cars can have problems or niggles but I want the car which will give me the best possible chance at achieving this.

I do about 12-15k per year depending on our family travels.

Work daily is a 26 mile round trip on dual carriageway mainly.

Every other weekend it will do 200 miles on top of that on the dual carriageway/motorway.

What should I consider? Thanks.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 20 May 2015 18:46
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - primus 1

I would say something Japanese a nissan note, Toyota auris/yaris honda jazz ect or perhaps one of the Korean brands?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 20 May 2015 20:11
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - Happy Blue!

Most of us have no idea how big our boots are and I wouldn't know if 300 litres was a huge boot or just adequate. I suggest that in order for us to help you, let us have a list of possible cars which meet that requirement and we can give you our opinion. This information is available through the technical specs of each model on Autotrader.

The Nissan Note and Honda Jazz are good cars as are the Kia Venga/Hyundai ix20 twins.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 20 May 2015 20:16
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - hr21

Options I have considered,

Ford Fusion 1.4/1.6tdci

Honda Jazz 1.2 petrol

Honda Civic 2.2/1.7 diesel

Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6hdi

Citroen C3 Picasso 1.6hdi

Skoda 1.9 TDI PD variant (105hp)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 20 May 2015 22:31
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - oldtoffee

60 mpg? Be lucky but a Fabia with that 1.9 engine might give you that. The Citroens aerodynamics won't work for you also a petrol. Maybe the Fusion (terrible car). i'd choose the most comfortable car and if it gives you 50mpg instead of 60, put up with it and enjoy the ride.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 May 2015 13:21
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - balleballe

I'd recommend the 2.2cdti Civic.

on a motorway journey at the national speed limit I can easily get 57 mpg. If I payed more attention then I reckon I could crack 60mpg

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 May 2015 15:01
Small Family Car for approx £4,500 max - Andrew-T

I am looking for a small family car with a maximum budget of £4,500 maximum. I really want a car which offers the following, in order of preference too...

Reliability

Low running costs/ servicing costs

At least 300ltr boot

50+ mpg (pref 60 on longer runs at 56-60mph)

Tax no more than £130 per year.

Essentially something which will get me from point A to point B with minimum fuss, starts every time and so forth. Of course all cars can have problems or niggles but I want the car which will give me the best possible chance at achieving this.

I've mentioned it on here once ot twice, but referring to your list above, the Pug 207 SW 1.6 HDi I have owned for over 6 years ticks all your boxes. It's not on your list but a Citroen is, with the same engine. It doesn't have a particulate filter, at least up to 2009 model.

While I've had it (13K-52K miles), it has required only regular servicing and a set of tyres and brake discs and pads, and has averaged 61-62mpg. The annual tax is £110. Not sure of the boot volume but as it's an 'estate' I'm sure it will do.

Given your budget you are looking at a 4 or 5-year-old car, so 'reliability' will depend or your buying carefully or being lucky.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Choosing a child seat can be a quite baffling experience – there are so many sizes, types, brands and price points available that you might not know where to start.

How to choose the right child seat