what family car for £11k
 

Looking to buy a new car, here's my criteria:

safe (minimim 4 star euro-ncap)
fun/good to drive
practical (must have 4 doors and a reasonable boot)
economic (more than 30 mpg)
cheap to insure (lower than group 17)
not too old (no older than 3 years)

my short list are:

megane 225 (current favourite)
seat lean cupra r
bmw 1 series 120d (probably out of budget)

Any other recommendations ?

cheers
sean

I'd rather get a 320D BMW than a 1 series!

Meganes are very cool, though bits fall off all the time! My vote is for that.

Don't fancy an Audi A4?

a4..no chance

yes think the 3 series might just make it in scope. Seen a nice '03 325 sports for around my budget. Would make more sense to purchase as would deperciate a hell of a lot less

Relistically you won't see 30 mpg from the Renault or the Cupra unless cruising about all the time.

120D 3ys old at most and unlikely to be had for 11,000K unless mega mileage.

BTW - the 120D is a better car than the last gen 320D.

03 325 sounds like a good bet.

Mondeo ST TDCi??????????

mondeo...erm no :) doesnt fall into the fun to drive category to me :D

325 beemers are soooooooooooo slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww

go with the cupra or a saab turbo.

I have added the C200 Kompressor Avantgarde to the list too. Seem to get more for your money compared to the 3 series...any opinions on these ?

Lardy and not Sporty!

I think you'll get 30MPG from a Megane 225 in normal driving! We get 38MPG from the Clio Sport and she rags it everywhere!

i think getting back to the cheap to service/run, I think it's down to the cupra R and the megane.

I'm not too sure whether a 1 series Beemer would come under "family car". My sister gave birth to her first child last year and the first thing she did was sell her 1 series BMW cos the boot was too small :)

If the A4 and Mondeo are out does that mean the same for the Octy vRS?

If you are bothered about about boot space,vRS boot is huuuuuge.It is actually a hatch,which does help.I would expect Cupra and Megane to have small boots.

Mine fills all the criteria you list above

BMW 5 series…you’ll get a gorgeous 540 or 530 with plenty of go for around 10k or just under…if you REALLY must have 30MPG maybe a 530d?

She must not know how to rag it properly then cause my little brother doesnt get anywhere near that figure of MPG in his ibiza 1.4 sport when ragging it.

Dont even think any petrol audi will get that MPG figure with enthusiastic driving!

I thought you were about to say she gave birth in the 1 series then!

go with the bm.

320d are good but the 525/530d's are better pref a sport.

The 1 series is not a family car.

the x25's are slow, the sports have a harsh ride and the 5 series models you are talking about are out of his price range anyway.

320d, slowwwwwwwwww

I had a 530d Sport which I also had remapped but it was so boring to drive.

i'd say Leon (only origional shape though, not that new spastic-wagon thingy)

My 530d Sport which I put 18's on didn't have a harsh ride at all.

go test drive a 530d sport, and then straight after get a ride in an e-class. Then come back here and report your findings.

The 5 series is good compared to the avergae car, but compared to non-sport versions, and mercedes etc the ride is harsh IMO.

The ride on the 5 series we're talking about (e39) is very good. The Merc isn't build properly, and about as reliable as a plumber

How about the Golf GT TDi 150

Well within price range actually...and not even with leggy mileage

Buy a used BMW 5 SERIES - Auto Trader UK

No harm in having a test drive a seeing what you think...

cheers chaps. After another night of negotiation withthe wife, it seems the 330d sport saloon is top of the list. Hopefully looking at a few this w/e I may also consider the 530d sport

My merc hasnt broken down and Im a very reliable plumber :thumb:

What model E class are you comparing to a 5 series sport then?

I think you are confusing fun to drive with image.

The Mondy is far more fun to drive than the Seat or Megane, the old shape Loen is actually very numb to drive with little steering feel, typical old skool VAG.

Cheers
Lee