Which small car suits our €10,000 budget?

We need a small family run around. We have between €5,000 and €10,000 to spend. My eldest daughter will be turning 17 soon and will be learning to drive, so this will be a factor as well. It will be 90% city driving.

Brian Prendergast (Cork)

Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Brian,

OK, at that budget you have plenty of good options. How about a Hyundai i10? Crackingly good little car that - nice to drive, safe, economical and really reliable. Circa €9,000 should get you into a 2012 model, and that will still have around three years of its original warranty left to run. Want something a little cheaper than that? Try a Suzuki Swift. Budget around €6,000 to €7,000 to get a 2009 or 2010 model. Again, a cracking little car to drive and Suzukis are exceptionally well made and reliable. Finally, if you max out your budget, you could get into a brand new Dacia Sandero 1.2. Not the most sophisticated car out there but simple and solid and it comes with a full warranty.

Let us know which way you go

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe