Easy!

1) pug 107...won't go wrong, good fun to drive..

2) Vauxhall Mokka 1.4t petrol...good value now, cheap to mend if needed.

3) Honda Civic 1.6dti tourer....see 1)!

Re 1 - depends on the size of the 20 yr old. As mentioned the Peugeot 107 / Toyota Aygo / Citroen C1 share the same oily bits are very cheap re insurance and reliable (Toyota engine etc) but they weren't suitable for my tall son when he first drove. He ended up with my old Octavia that was cheap to insure as it had the smallest 1.4 NA engine but I'd suggest trying the Skoda Citigo/ Seat Mii, VW up especially the 3dr if tall - surprisingly accommodating. I have friend that has a Citigo and he loves it.

Re 2 - Hyundai i30 / Kia Ceed are affordable (you get a lot of& newer car for your money) and have reliable petrol engines? Or a Seat Leon?

Re 3 - I'd second a Skoda Superb - I'm biased as I love mine! If toooooo big how about a Skoda Octavia?

Edited by Big John on 03/04/2023 at 22:19

New neighbours want 3 cars as moved out of Londonium.

1. 20 yr old licence 2 and a bit years. budget £3500-£4000

Absurdly generous. Beggars can't be choosers. Street cred my posterior. If dad's a 'spirited driver', they might well be too, and the odds of an expensive RTC are high. Look out for a pensioner's dented trade in for around £1000.

2. school run car for mum.room for 2 teens to schoo/collegel and sometimes 3rd teen. budget up to 15K

Voluminous estate a must. Run-of-the-mill mainstream ubiquitous Ford, VW or somesuch

3 Dad still works near Lakeside, about 600 miles a week plus family holidays for 2 adults and 3 teens, could be lease or pcp.

600miles per week is a huge annual mileage, just for one occupant. Don't even think of pcp with its penalties for excess mileage. Get something small, either diesel or electric and use mum's car for hols and family outings. Or if he wants a bit of fun yet practical long term reliable mechanics, consider a low mileage second hand MX5.

1. Aygo/107/C1

2. Auris/Corolla - would she be happy with an estate which has better rear leg room as well as obviously bigger boot (the hatchback's is quite small)? Remember can still be within manufacturer warranty if under 10 years/100,000 miles with dealer servicing.

3. Corolla estate (good mpg for the long trips). The latest version has lopped ~1.5s off the 0-60 for the 1.8 but the 2.0 is better for the "spirited driver".

Mazda 6 petrol

Skoda Superb

Edited by Heidfirst on 04/04/2023 at 12:19

New neighbours want 3 cars as moved out of Londonium.

1. 20 yr old licence 2 and a bit years. budget £3500-£4000

2. school run car for mum.room for 2 teens to schoo/collegel and sometimes 3rd teen. budget up to 15K

3 Dad still works near Lakeside, about 600 miles a week plus family holidays for 2 adults and 3 teens, could be lease or pcp.

1. doesn't like venga, no street cred. (my old 2011 venga in lovely mechanical condition but a bit scratched... they could have had it for about £3000 and my old mate would have done a respray for £700 ish.

2. feels venga too old

3. Dad, ( a spirited driver) would like a largish estate. (Doesn't like the "bulk" of the Korando or similar SUV types

All the above petrol, gearbox immaterial.

Any budget for No.3, _ORB_? Sounds like No.3 might be throwing money away if they highly value 'street cred' and 'performance' rather than reliability, comfort and the cost of ownership. I see that sort of bloke going for the likes of an Octavia vRS estate or equivalent Beemer, spending small fortunes on fuel, tyres, insurance, speeding fines and trips to the osteopath...