Need a PROPER family car haha

[Sian]

So as a few of you may of seen on Facebook, (the ones I have) after 4 years of the GTI being the daily and family car! I've decided it's time it comes off the road and have a good year out to have some well needed tlc! And some other  things done! 

So I'm looking for a family car, never thought I would say it but a 5 door haha! What would you all recommend! I have two kiddies so I want something safe! Had a look round a focus which was pretty nice but keeping option open. Helpp

[bigcheez2k3]

5 door 306?

Someone was going to say it

[Piggy]

Peugeot 806 xud9, rolland garos.

/Thread

[Sian]

5 door 306?

Someone was going to say it

Hahaha! As much as I'd like another 306! My lovely mummy is buying me this car and I have 3,000 to spend to want to get something worth the money haha!

[Stef205]

As much as it hurt and goes against everything i believe in but i drive a civic 2.2 cdti as daily and shamefully i love it, nice drive imo. Personally id go a test drive a few cars to see what suits you best.

[Dum-Dum]

Subaru Forester.
Big enough boot, Japanese reliability, comfortable, 5 doors, 4wd and decent ground clearance so you don't get stuck in snow/mud as easily.
Get a turbo and it'll be no slouch either.

[Piggy]

Saab 93 saloon or estate, 150bhp diesel.
Or Volvo v50 derv estate.

Both cheap for what you get, well equipped, roomy, fun end quick enough and bags of room

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...safe too

[1616six]

Never ask. Go drive some cars you like. This thread will turn into another huge argument of why Tom thinks a Focus, Chris suggests something stupidly impractical, Sam & Niall will say Saab, me and Danny will say BMW, Ruan will say a Volvo is the best car you could ever buy & a few others will slate every suggestion unless you buy a 306 as they've got their blinkers on. You'll buy the car you like & probably liked from the beginning then someone will suggest it needs a 40mm drop & clones.

Just summarising the next 4 pages so you don't have to worry about reading it again, may as well close it now.

[Eeyore]

saab 93 diesel. So much car for your money and the safest car around!

[Toms306]

Looks like Jordan has written my post for me.

Mk2.5 Focus ftw. Your budget should get you a 1.8 TDCi, no DPF so be fine for school runs and town stuff with some MPG and reasonable tax. Titanium if you want toys, Zetec S if you want a bodykit.

As above though, drive some, even just sitting in some will put you off if you're as picky as me lol.

[Piggy]

...sorry tom...but the 1.8?!?! The engine that has essentially had no money spent on it for refinement since 1986?

[Toms306]

Both the 1.6 and 2.0 TDCi have DPFs. IIRC Sian does a lot of short runs that won't suit a DPF. As much as I dislike the 1.8 and wouldn't have one myself I think it'd suit here.

They're not refined but then nor are DV6s tbh, with fewer problems though!! Usual fault is injectors but they've pretty much all been done under warranty now.

[swampy]

Saab 9 3 ttid 180bhp as standard and 45mpg around town

[cpikey316_]

My honda accord was lush inside! 

If you get a honda 2.2 cdti, chech the exhaust manifold, as they crack and arent cheap.

But if as Tom says, you do short runs, i have a 1.8 petrol civic, get well over 55mpg on a slow motorway and 40mpg doing normal everyday driving. You don't HAVE  to buy a diesel! You can have a fun 5 door petrol like your GTi that is a little better on fuel.

But I agree with above generally. Go try loads and see which ones you like.

[Midnightclub]

Never ask. Go drive some cars you like. This thread will turn into another huge argument of why Tom thinks a Focus, Chris suggests something stupidly impractical, Sam & Niall will say Saab, me and Danny will say BMW, Ruan will say a Volvo is the best car you could ever buy & a few others will slate every suggestion unless you buy a 306 as they've got their blinkers on. You'll buy the car you like & probably liked from the beginning then someone will suggest it needs a 40mm drop & clones.

Just summarising the next 4 pages so you don't have to worry about reading it again, may as well close it now.

That's so accurate

[Matt-Rallye]

Never ask. Go drive some cars you like. This thread will turn into another huge argument of why Tom thinks a Focus, Chris suggests something stupidly impractical, Sam & Niall will say Saab, me and Danny will say BMW, Ruan will say a Volvo is the best car you could ever buy & a few others will slate every suggestion unless you buy a 306 as they've got their blinkers on. You'll buy the car you like & probably liked from the beginning then someone will suggest it needs a 40mm drop & clones.

Just summarising the next 4 pages so you don't have to worry about reading it again, may as well close it now.

Repped for truth!

[Sian]

Never ask. Go drive some cars you like. This thread will turn into another huge argument of why Tom thinks a Focus, Chris suggests something stupidly impractical, Sam & Niall will say Saab, me and Danny will say BMW, Ruan will say a Volvo is the best car you could ever buy & a few others will slate every suggestion unless you buy a 306 as they've got their blinkers on. You'll buy the car you like & probably liked from the beginning then someone will suggest it needs a 40mm drop & clones.

Just summarising the next 4 pages so you don't have to worry about reading it again, may as well close it now.

Hahhaa brilliant! Only asked as I've only ever really had 306s the longest really! This one will be staying completely standard so wanted something that looked decent without any mods ' don't like saabs soz ;the girls dad has many bmws and as much as I like them! They aren't for me! Thanks for summarising though ha

[Matt-Rallye]

Tbh i would go with a focus avoid most things french for everyday motoring!

[Sian]

A 1.8 focus is off the cards.. I'm not allowed one. Same reason as piggy has said hahahaha! Every car is going to seem strange to drive I guess compared to the constant noises from the GTI haha! And the whole 6 gears to 5 will be weird! How long will it be before I kill it! Gonna look at some later hopefully

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Tbh i would go with a focus avoid most things french for everyday motoring!

I pm'd you on Facebook of the focus

[Toms306]

Lots of modern cars are 6 speed lol. Including the 1.8 TDCi Focus. But not the 1.6, I still keep trying to grab reverse at speed.

[Sian]

Hahaha! I think I may do this :/ I had a vectra over Christmas last year as a courtesy car while mine was in for work. And I kept thinking I had 6th

[Toms306]

My Vectra had a 6th. As did the Golfs. And of course the GTi6s. Seems it's a hard habit to break though, I've had the Focus nearly 2 years now lol.

Which Focus engine were you looking at if you aren't allowed a 1.8? Ford are pretty stingy with spec unless you go for bigger engines, anything smaller than a 1.8 (petrol or diesel) get's drum brakes ffs!

[Matt-Rallye]

My Vectra had a 6th.  As did the Golfs.  And of course the GTi6s.  Seems it's a hard habit to break though, I've had the Focus nearly 2 years now lol.

Which Focus engine were you looking at if you aren't allowed a 1.8?  Ford are pretty stingy with spec unless you go for bigger engines, anything smaller than a 1.8 (petrol or diesel) get's drum brakes ffs!

Drum rear brakes are way better than disc anyway! far superior handbrake. 

Can get a 1.6 petrol Ghia or Titanium (top spec) for reasonable money, they are solid made, safe, cheap and parts are plentiful which ticks all the boxes for an everyday school run car

[Toms306]

Drum brakes are shit. They lock on all the time. They don't adjust properly. The handbrake isn't any better in my experience. And they look shit if you go for something with 'open' alloys. At least the Titanium multispokes hide them on mine, but they are a pain to clean lol.

[Matt-Rallye]

Drum brakes are shit.  They lock on all the time.  They don't adjust properly.  The handbrake isn't any better in my experience.   And they look shit if you go for something with 'open' alloys.  At least the Titanium multispokes hide them on mine, but they are a pain to clean lol.

All of what you have said there is bullshit. 

For spirited driving / racecar.. rear discs are better. For the everyday run about car, rear drums are superior.

[bashbarnard]

Drum brakes are shit.  They lock on all the time.  They don't adjust properly.  The handbrake isn't any better in my experience.   And they look shit if you go for something with 'open' alloys.  At least the Titanium multispokes hide them on mine, but they are a pain to clean lol.

All of what you have said there is bullshit. 

For spirited driving / racecar.. rear discs are better. For the everyday run about car, rear drums are superior.

Im with matt here i prefer running drums on my dailys. The problem with drums is lack of maitance on the owners behalf. Pay to have them cleaned and greased its not hard ive never had an issue.

Buy a v70/s80 for that sorta money. Reliable cheap to run, noce to drive, safe for kids. Thats my 2p anyway its what i want to replace my pug with when i have my racecar built

[Sian]

It's a 1.6 ghia

[Piggy]

Amen on the handbrakes.
Drum for the daily win. FAR superior handbrake and no real need for rear discs on a daily.
Plus, as said, if you maintain them...never have I had issues

[Ruan]

Meh, yeah, JJ will slag me off for saying it because I'm biased, but don't give a shit.

My V50 2.0d has been cracking for me, I've put over 70k miles on mine, been ace. Cheap on parts, comfortable for long distances, reliable (original clutch and fly at 151k, replaced rear dampers and a wheel bearing - otherwise general servicing upkeep), powerful enough for most and fine to drive... Later ones with DPFs rarely have issues, at least in comparison to the 1.6 HDi they put in them and everything else... Can't fault it.

Exactly the same as a Focus estate, but a bit nicer inside basically.

[1616six]

Meh, yeah, JJ will slag me off for saying it because I'm biased, but don't give a shit.

My V50 2.0d has been cracking for me, I've put over 70k miles on mine, been ace. Cheap on parts, comfortable for long distances, reliable (original clutch and fly at 151k, replaced rear dampers and a wheel bearing - otherwise general servicing upkeep), powerful enough for most and fine to drive... Later ones with DPFs rarely have issues, at least in comparison to the 1.6 HDi they put in them and everything else... Can't fault it.

Exactly the same as a Focus estate, but a bit nicer inside basically.

I'd never slag you off Ruan, you cheeky boy. But yeah, we're all biased & it's a very natural thing.

I would say more predictable than biased, but beggars can't be choosers. 

I like a V50, I'd have a V50 (Although never a 2.0D, too boring. Driven the 2.4 auto & what a beautiful engine it was) although personally prefer how the BMW engine drives as they drive like a petrol somehow.

I'd also say if you go for a diesel Sian, try a 5/6 cylinder as well as a 4 cylinder. I'd put money on which one you'd go for as there is no comparison.