I need to buy a car

My car hasn't stopped breaking down since January, so with the help of a loan, I am going car shopping!

I have upto about £6000, I need 5 doors, a decent sized boot and it needs to be reliable! Mr Mousie has therefore vetoed anything British, French, American and also Seat Leon's because that's what he drives and I'm not allowed to drive anything better than him

I'd prefer something that isn't completely slow. I've spent the last 3 years driving a Renault Megane Scenic and can't wait to get rid of the sensible family car and drive something slightly more interesting, while still being suitable for carting the family around. Difficult, me?

Toyota Corolla?  We have one and have also just got an Auris.  We love Toyota's although the Corolla is a lot nippier than the Auris.  It's a TSpirit but you may get a TSport for that budget, obv. not new though.

For that money I'd get a 3 series BMW. I've had a couple for the boot space, comfort (long distance driving) and reliability. I love them. I miss mine; I currently drive a 10 year old white Escort van

I bought a Ford Focus not long ago, may seem a bit dull but it's great to drive, easy on the petrol and I've not have any problems at all with it

Another one that was going to recommend a Ford Focus.

3 series BMW. i have a 2004 reg and is probably worth about £6K. go for the diesel.

Buy german if you can as you'll get a better car now and it'll retain more of its value.

VW Golf or Passat, Audi A3 or A4, BMW 3 series will all satisfy your criteria.

Boot space for a family in a 3-series??  I rejected the 3-series because of the rubbish boot and ingress of the wheel arches.

Ford focus or Ford Mondeo, depending on how big you want to go.   Toyota is also a good option but dull - Auris or Avensis for the equivalent (I drive an Avensis at the moment - huge boot, comfortable, good kit and second hand models are cheap because they've released a brand new version this year).

If you can stretch to it, the VW Golf is always a decent choice too.

oh sorry. i didnt see the bit about 5 doors.

3 series or Jag X-type estate?  There are quite a few of them around for the 6K mark.

I bought the 3 series for the boot space My Golf had less space in the boot, although they are always a good choice. I've not had one of the newer ones though, only up to Mark 4.

I was going to suggest a Ford Focus as well; we bought ours for about £6000 earlier in the year & are very pleased with it so far.

We also thought about a Honda Civic or a VW Golf but for both of those found that we wouldn't get as much car for our money...older cars etc.

Doughnut:

I bought the 3 series for the boot space My Golf had less space in the boot, although they are always a good choice. I've not had one of the newer ones though, only up to Mark 4.

 

Can't speak for the older versions but the new one wouldn't have worked for me - one of the reasons I ordered an A4 instead.  Although that's still a slightly smaller boot than my Toyota.