Family cars on a budget

Jan 19 2009 Matt Tumbridge

FAMILY cars don't have to be dull.

There are a small number of funky family cars that can be found on the used market for little money, and the best thing about them is that while they look a bit crazy they are actually very practical.

In the current market, while everyone else is buying safe cars to protect their residuals, you can take advantage of the soft prices and snap up a fun model for very little.

If you drive low or average mileage then you should definitely look at the petrol engine versions as they are now better value. Here are three family cars with a difference.

Fiat Multipla

Looks different and certainly different inside. Brave design that works well in practice. Scary looks frighten car dealers and has led to some very soft prices.

Most economical: JTD - 44.1mpg

Best used buy: 1.6 ELX is cheap and well equipped.

UsedCarExpert.com fault checks: 11

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2004 JTD with 43,000 average miles is £6,000, while a 1.6 petrol is just £5,200 with 23,000 average miles. So while it does 10mpg less, it's the better move for most.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Stylish and very practical. It will seat five in comfort but also it will convert into a van so it is very versatile. Prices starting to fall now it is a few years old.

Most economical: 2.2 CRD - 40.9mpg

Best used buy: 2.0 Touring has reasonable specification.

UsedCarExpert.com fault checks: 6

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2004 2.0 Touring with 26,000 average miles will be just £4,723. But the 2.2 diesel equivalent will have 45,000 miles and be £5,900.

Daihatsu Materia

A practical mini-MPV that is much more capable and versatile than its looks suggest. Not as cheap as you might expect, but it will hold its value well and has an impressive equipment list as standard.

Most economical: 1.5 - 39.2mpg

Best used buy: 1.5

UsedCarExpert.com fault checks: 0

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: Only launched in 2007, it is already an exciting used buy. One year old cars with 18,000 miles are already down at £6,495.