Ask an expert

Hi there. We're looking at getting a new family car and I'd like to know what make/models are reliable, reasonable to run and maintain. I haven't started looking at prices yet, but it would be under $10,000 2nd hand, and I want as safe as possible to travel around with our children. I have a people mover at the moment but am thinking that a station wagon or maybe something smaller with a big boot would be great. Thank you for any advice!

After owning a people mover you may regret moving down to a smaller vehicle with a boot. The addition space a people mover provides is often taken for granted and you could end up with a vehicle which doesn’t really meet or siut your needs.

The station wagon sounds like a much better option to me. A couple of vehicles that may appeal are the Mazda6, the Mazda Atenza (similar but a used import) or a Toyota Caldina.

The Toyota Corolla 1.8 litre wagon may also appeal.

In this price range, I would tend to avoid any of the European vehicles.