Volkswagen Passat 1.8

Our first family car became a little bigger than expected. While most people go for a nice medium hatchback, we took a leap and bought a Passat Ocean Liner. It is huge, and the back seats accommodate the inlaws in better comfort than anything else. For less than the price of a Focus (less than £6000 at least) we got a car that takes a childs buggy, a car seat, four adults, and luggage. The car is comfortable, but not soft. It feels heavier and better built than the C class Mercedes (I know, my father has one), and the cost of buying is incredibly low.

Since many are ex-fleet, they're well maintained, and plenty to choose from. It is built on the Skoda Superb platform, and so albeit Skoda, it is the luxury model. For the same money as a Nissan Primera, I think we get something that doesn't look like a taxi. The Parker's Guide has just one criticism of this car, and that is Passats are "as common as muck". If that's the only negative, that is praise indeed. In fact, I coul probably count more Vectras and Mondeos on the road, so Parker's might struggle to find something else wrong with it.