Family Bangers

Nov 9 2009 Matt Tumbridge

THE fireworks at the weekend made me think of Bangers. Also, it is this week that my esteemed colleague and I are off to drive 1,500 miles of November-in-the-UK roads in a £240 Rover 800, for the sake of charity.

While our N-plate Rover has leather seats, air conditioning, heated seats, sound system, cruise control and more, hardly any of it works.

With the recession dragging on and the papers full of big redundancy news, I am sure lots of people will want reliable, comfy wheels on a budget. So here are three cars that I would rather be in for our charity event. Then, I would be more comfortable and feel more confident that the car will make it all the way through.

If you want a motorway cruiser on a budget, you might like to consider them too:

Vauxhall Vectra

Great for long journeys, tough and economical. For budget buyers the Vectra makes great sense especially the estate. Lots to choose from, avoid tatty examples.

Most economical: 2.0 Tdi

Best used buy: 1.6 petrol

UsedCarExpert.com checks: 17

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2002 Vauxhall Vectra i 16v LS 1.6 with 65,710 average miles will be £,1664 - £1,958.

Peugeot 406

A spacious and stylish family saloon with a wide variety of specifications. Higher specifcation models are great value on the used market.

Most economical: 2.0 Hdi

Best used buy: 1.8 petrol

UsedCarExpert.com checks: 29

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2001 Peugeot 406 LX 1.8 with 75,863 average miles will be £1,575 - £1,853.

Honda Accord

Lots of space, refined and excellent value. The Accord always offered Executive car equipment and comfort . Revised model from 1998 even better with high quality build.

Most economical: 1.8 petrol

Best used buy: 2.0 petrol

UsedCarExpert.com checks: 9

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2000 Honda Accord VTEC SE Sport 2.0 with 87,676 average miles is £1,644 - £1,935.