Can you recommend a good family car?

Can you recommend a good family car? I have a newborn on the way and am looking to buy a family car in the next 2-3 weeks. I have a budget of roughly €10,500. I'm six-foot-four in height so space is very important. My wife and I also have family down the country so would be making regular trips now and then outside Dublin. In a nutshell, I'm looking for something reliable, pratical, economical and fun to drive. I've been homing in on a Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Zetec.

Any advice or other recommendations would be much appreciated.

Seamus Hadrill (Dublin)

Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Seamus,

A Mondeo 2.0 TDCi is, frankly, a great choice - spacious, comfy, well made and superb for that kind of long-haul journey. Just as a suggestion though, it may be worth coming down a class and having a look around, just as a way of potentially keeping your running costs as low as possible. Perhaps a Honda Civic diesel or a Skoda Octavia TDI? Both are massively spacious (so would carry your height with plenty of space behind for baby seats etc.), but would also be a little cheaper to run than the Mondeo, and almost as comfy on the long haul. Worth a thought, but if you fancy the Mondeo, go for it. Buy one with a full service history and you won't go wrong.

Let us know which way you go in the comments below.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe