OK - calm down. Not for me, I haven't decided to sell the Scoob :)

This is for my sister. She needs a decent reliable car that can cope with two kids (one 6 and the other just over a year old).

The sort of thing she is looking for is Merc A class or similar. Anyone got one of these? Her budget is around £8K. Petrol or diesel.

Any ideas appreciated :)

Chris

Ford Focus. Seriously. A gazillion times better to drive than the Merc and loads of decent ones around at that price. LX models up have most of the toys you need.

A class really are pants.

Focus does well in Top Gear survey too.

No I don't own one;)

B :)

I reckon you could just about get a Honda Jazz for 8k. Wicked for 2 kids IMO.

Alternatively I've found the Focus TDCi to be a cracker and the 307 isn't bad either (although not a patch on the 306HDi).

I'd also be thinking about NCAP results. The 307 being newer may have a better NCAP result than the Focus?

Every bit helps when kids involved....newer design may pay off...

True.

Check out some results on:

EuroNCAP Results

and also Thatcham Whiplash Results

Hope this helps :)

Urgh, 307. Had the misfortune to drive one for a week. Thoroughly nasty. Pug reliability is appaling...used to like Pugs but talk about losing the plot.

Honda Jazz definitely worth a look if in price bracket.

Focus TDCi is a cracker but probably too pricy.

Another no-no for me is VW's...huge reputation...crap cars...again used to be a big fan

B :)

I don't mind VW/VAG cars (quite like the Leon Cupra R/Skoda VRS) but am shocked about the Thatcham results. Loads of them have sh1te seats so are definately not good cars to be shunted in.

Thanks all. I did wonder whether my sister was getting a bit seduced by the Merc badge thing aswell. Focus TDCi sounds like a reasonable idea.

Ta
Chris

Mrs Dunk has an A class which fine for her & 2 yr old Dunk jnr.
It is handy being slighty higher than average for getting kids into car seats without being a bus or a butch 4x4. For two kids it'd be too small on a day to day basis.
Go for the Focus if you want a car or Zafira for a mid sized MPV.

D

If you don't want new then get an A4 - loads around at this price. Might have a lot of miles on but it'll be well-made, last forever, offer way more protection than the small cars, and actually be quite nice to drive.

Slightly larger than an A-class, but so much better it hurts!