10 CHEAP & FAST Family Cars That Are Practical & Fun! (UNDER £5,000)

Cheap, fast, practical and dare I say it, luxury cars that are great for families that want to have fun! These 10 cars offer great performance under £5,000, with all the practicalities you need for daily life with an average sized family.
I hope you enjoy!
I hope you enjoy the video!
Bruddas (Patrons):
- Will D.
- Conor W.
- Will A.
- Ethan W.
- TheGeordieTiger
- Callum W.
- Gabriele S.
- Jag H.
- Dhruv A.
- Albert L.
Chapters
Introduction: 00:00
Ford Mondeo ST-220: 01:00
Skoda Octavia vRS: 02:03
Lexus GS300: 03:03
VW Golf GTI: 03:55
Subaru Legacy: 05:05
Vauxhall Vectra VXR: 06:26
Renault Megane RS: 07:31
Mercedes C350: 08:34
Jaguar XF: 09:30
BMW 335D: 10:35
Close: 11:33
Links:
Instagram - / carswithjb
Patreon - / carswithjb
Twitter - / carswithjb
Discord - / discord
Music:
Background: My (musically gifted) sister
Outro: Ship Wrek & Zookeepers - Ark [NCS Release]
Attributions/Creative Commons Content:
10: Ford Mondeo ST-220
9: Skoda Octavia vRS
8: Lexus GS300
7: VW Golf GTI
6: Subaru Legacy
5: Vauxhall Vectra VXR
4: Renault Megane RS
3: Mercedes C350
• 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-C...
• 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-C...
• 9F208548 | 2009 Merced...
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class ...
2: Jaguar XF
1: BMW 335D

[@claudiomocanu4200]

That's exactly what I wanted to ask you to make! Also I would like to see two more videos made by you: video about VW (from the different car brands series) and also some really fast and reliable cars. Even if you dont read this I still love your work and the way you make the videos, keep it up sir!

[@CarsWithJB]

There will be more car brands videos on the way! And fast reliable cars is already on the list 🤙🏽

[@claudiomocanu4200]

@@CarsWithJB got you man! Much love and we want to see your growth!!!

[@shellcoast0796]

1 car i think would be amazing for a quick family car is the 2007 - 2014 Ford mondeo 2.5T Titanium with that legendary ford focus ST from the same year, with its 220hp 5 POT. It is ULEZ FREE and can get 30 MPG (depending how you drive it). The start from £2450 for a 2007 with 89k miles and can get a good 2010 for £3990 with 78k miles. A truly amazing fast ford, i am getting one for my first car and the insurance is pretty cheap for what you get at only £1680 for me but will be different where you live.

[@CarsWithJB]

That’s a great shout! I nearly included the Focus ST as it fits the bill, but thought Mondeo is more family oriented 🤙🏽

[@DanandKim]

I used to have a mitsubishi Galant estate, it was a great car, handles well and was very comfy. But they also made a VR4 version that was a 2.5 v6 twin turbo with all wheel drive, absolute beast.

[@fizankhalid9922]

I love how you say, "Subaru". kept rewinding the video 10 times to to listen to it again.

[@CarsWithJB]

Haha I changed it up after working at a Japanese investment bank - that’s how everyone pronounced it!

[@tempessst]

You should add the alfa 159 to the list especially the 2.4 jtdm. They're okay in reliability, they are GORGEOUS, and with a remap they can be quick. That 5 cylinder sounds awesome and you can get decent fuel economy too. There are problems with a rusty front subframe and the electriccs but they're really not that bad.

[@CarsWithJB]

I nearly did include it! It’s one of my favs 🤙🏽

[@Mr_Robbo_G]

Perfect video for me, asked on your last cideo for this and you've come through as always 👍🏻

[@CarsWithJB]

Have to put in the work!

[@danpaul4975]

My favourite is the Omega (99-03). I've had 3 of them, 2.0 GLS was my second car, then a 3.0 Elite, followed by a 2.6 MV6. really wish I'd kept the MV6!

[@CarsWithJB]

That’s not one I considered but fair enough!

[@briangabor05]

my dad had a 2.2 cdx abit ago , but even the 2.6 and 3.0 are pretty slow , i was looking for insurance quotes as my first car because the omega is still pretty cool

[@zsb707]

I love these three out of your picks: that Ford Mondeo, the Subaru Legacy (saloon version) and, of course, the Jaguar XF (X250, LCI). The journey to 100,000 subscribers is almost over 👍👏.

[@CarsWithJB]

All fair picks! I’d probably go boring and choose the 335D, but I like the Megane RS

[@zsb707]

@@CarsWithJB Both are some surface-to-surface missiles. The Renault's design is acquired taste though ...

[@DylaanBluee]

My favourite family car is definitely the jaguar xjr575, just love them

[@25PHIPO]

The mk3 Mondeo st does also come in an estate aswell. Also the mk4 Mondeo does come a 2.5 turbo from the st for under 5k. Dream family car is the Audi rs6 Avant.

[@tylerlamont1503]

Late to the topic but my dad has a 2018 renault megane estate version and it's always done us really well. Quite comfortable and good to drive

[@RobertBrownieJr]

I love my VW CC, not got a family quite yet but I know it'll be perfect. 177 gt dsg is absolutely rapid for what it is and I think it's beautiful too. Cheers JB

[@abu269]

I used to love my old mondeo... Very comfortable ride and practical for the family. The only drawbacks really was that the stereo was in the wrong place and my turbo had issues.

[@CarsWithJB]

Sad to hear re the turbo - didn’t realise that was a problem with them!

[@jthomas4538]

Hey JB, fantastic work bro....keep it up!! How about doing a some vids on the most reliable cars uk? Im talking about cheap long lasting vehicles that wont bust the bank to repair? Cheers mate!

[@CarsWithJB]

I’m looking to do some reliability videos soon, (I.e. cheap, fast and reliable - or the equivalent) so hopefully you’ll see them appear in a couple of weeks!

[@jthomas4538]

@@CarsWithJB wicked bro... Can't wait keep smashing it G!!!

[@matthewgreen2553]

Love the Meganne

[@mrmivisuals]

Can you do a video with the most reliable BMWs under 5/6k? More selfishly what do you recommend? I recently secured a decent paying job and want to upgrade from my dodgy 2012 astra gtc. Don’t want something boring but also want something fairly reliable. I have been binge watching ur videos alongside “high peak autos” and “definitely not a guru” and your videos are all class. Appreciate the thought and effort that goes into these!

[@youwould69]

Jaguar XF-RS Sport Brake. Best looking Estate of all time? Probably. Fast, rare, practical and a car that we will never see the like of again.

[@henzo1333]

Hey mate, great as always! Just a little wonder, I have currently got an Alfa guilietta QV however due to having to travel a lot for work needing to get a more economical, practical car. Any chance of advice on economical, practical yet fun cars for under 10k or so. Thanks again!

[@CarsWithJB]

This kinda video is on the way soon - I’ve got both reliable and practical videos in the pipeline!

[@Antscupra]

335 is a straight 6. Good videos as always, a4 3.0 Avants are in the 5k though.

[@themease100]

Favourite Family Car - for me is a Skoda Superb 2l TD it's massive!

[@petergouldbourn2312]

My pick for a list like this would be an R32 mk5 VW Golf just for that VR6 soundtrack. Not quite on this list but if I am to continue to drive after a serious illness I’d look at a VR5 mk4 VW Golf once again for that lovely noise a VR engine makes. Pete 🇬🇧

[@jameslrbrand2002uk]

My favourite is a 1977 Rover SD! V8 Vitesse with either the 3.5 or 3.9 V8

[@eoinduffin7815]

Definitely think a Volvo V70 T5 is a great fast family car, 260hp 5 cylinder turbo and will happily gap 330i's in comfort

[@CarsWithJB]

Agreed, included the V70R in the last vid on family cars too!

[@eoinduffin7815]

@@CarsWithJB I watched that video too! V70r is definitely one of my dream cars but my 9n3 polo will have to do for now!!

[@f4tpie]

I just found myself in this position and bought a 2012 C Class Estate (220 CDI). Serious reliability and 170 bhp with headroom to pass 200. Drives lovely although definitely leans towards comfort over fun!

[@michaelakachunk]

Google Mercedes black death....check that reliablity statement haha😅

[@i.s.3458]

335d's are torque monsters

[@CarsWithJB]

Absolutely insane, benefit of diesel!

[@suttyret]

Laguna Sports Tourer GT 205 (phase Ii) 2.0 T petrol 205 BHP cheap as chips. Did a V6 but it was heavier and slower.

[@OriginalOwner777]

Personally my favourite sleeper familly car is a late model ford Siera although not so special as it stands yet the engine bay is huge so big you can alter the mounts and fit a 5 and a quater liter supercharged jaguar engine in it. Once thats done the siera becomes a true familly rocket.

[@cafe405]

No secret I've got a w211. 7 seats estate, 3l V6 and 7 speed box, it's just so capable and an amazing place to spend time in any journey, but long ones remain a pleasure.

[@CarsWithJB]

Amazing!

[@BlackLines]

Saab 9-5 2.3T Aero HOT would have been a good shout ... 260bhp, bags of torque and can get into one for around 3 grand with around 100k on the clock. Nice interior too.

[@zaink7037]

I think for me a zafira or Mondeo ST diesel in black and estate I'd like to own if I go down the route of getting married and having a family

[@CarsWithJB]

I feel that - the Zafira VXR is ridiculous 🤪

[@Tshirtguy2020]

I own a 2015 Ford Fusion (Mondeo/UK) Titanium. It has a 234hp motor and is a very reliable car. I wish we had the wagon (Estate UK) version here. Unfortunately they will stop making them so I guess I head over to Toyota for a Camary once it’s dead. I also own a Mustang GT and that’s a pretty good car not a lot of problems with it at all.

[@mnt1mnt]

Great video can you please make video about fun family cars where you can have 3 child seats thank you

[@AB-yl4ub]

bro im 18 do you reckon the octavia vrs would be a good first car on insurance

[@barryblackmore6080]

E61 M5 with manual gearbox. Best family car ever.

[@CarsWithJB]

Already a classic too, especially as an E61!

[@barryblackmore6080]

Unfortunately I have to settle for my E61 530d M Sport manual. I say unfortunately only because it's not an M5, it's a great car.

[@LexusLFA554]

lets do something really funny: sporty minivans under 10k :D If the budget is to low you can raise it to 20k if you want to. I am a big fan of the Renault Espace 3.5 V6 cause it shares the engine with the Nissan 350Z. It is still FWD.

[@CarsWithJB]

Haven’t thought of that 🤪 I’ll add it to my list

[@chaospxl_]

Now this might be a bit of an odd-ball car, but what do you think of the Skoda Superb 3T? Now i know it's not exactly the Fastest car, letalone under 5 grand, but i still think it's one heck of a vehicle Plus it had the 1.8 TFSI engine, a 2.0 TDI and a Vr6 with AWD.

[@luisluis5306]

Would like to see cheap & fast automatic version.

[@alexcoupe.]

Meriva VXR!!! Best family car I've owned, even better than my E46 330D Touring and A4 B6 1.8T 190bhp Quattro!

[@CarsWithJB]

That’s crazy that you’ve owned a Meriva VXR - it’s super rare on the roads now!

[@alexcoupe.]

@@CarsWithJB It was known as the "Spicy Werther's Original" in our house lol!

[@intial_j4611]

First. I love ur content JB and u defo deserve more subscribers and my ideal family car would be a Lexus isf

[@CarsWithJB]

Good effort

[@intial_j4611]

@@CarsWithJB Thx

[@intial_j4611]

I live in the uk and rlly look up to u and ur progression from a Fabia estate to a track spec mx5 and as I am 16 and beginning to look for my first car and so love ur videos

[@hiskyboy8971]

what about the volvos and the audi s4

[@xstinkm3516]

I don’t like Jaguar XF one crashed into my first car speeding round a bend whilst I was at work, 3 days into this year… can’t see them the same way… never again

[@CarsWithJB]

That’s like me with the Honda Jazz, one destroyed my wing mirror and I’ve hated them ever since

[@xstinkm3516]

@@CarsWithJB I feel that, not much loss from Honda jazz that xD

[@sidaroo322]

personally the CLS has always been my favourite estate car so id have to choose the CLS63 as my favourite family car

[@CarsWithJB]

A very cool family car - shooting brakes are sick

[@sidaroo322]

@@CarsWithJB Yeah thanks for replying i love you content by the way keep up the good work

[@CarsWithJB]

@@sidaroo322 appreciate it man!

[@morganheeley4339]

Can you do a video on the new car tax prices in April?

[@l8erzmonkey]

Is the 335d ulez compliant?

[@CarsWithJB]

Sadly not I don’t think 😞

[@jasond626]

Nice video man.. you can't have an unreliable car at number 1 man.. especially when BMW's are so expensive

[@CarsWithJB]

Yeah fair point well made, but it’s so damn quick!

[@jasond626]

@@CarsWithJB when it's running 😂.. I think with cost of living going up etc. Reliability and low cost fun is key👍

[@michaelakachunk]

Love the content bud, However the 335d isn't a V6 their a straight 6.....M57 E9x model

[@CarsWithJB]

My bad - typo on my part, I’ve included the 335D in so many previous videos you’d have thought I’d catch it!

[@tommyjeffries2942]

Hey can we get a new first car list, taking in to consideration price rises and ULEZ PLEASE!

[@CarsWithJB]

Yes, more first car videos to come!

[@josipbrcic271]

Jaguar x-type Estate 3.0 V6!

[@ApothecaryTerry]

My personal favourite family car...hmm...something comfy, practical, fast...GS450h! Except no folding seats, so actually I'd say the X351 XJ or a Stinger GT-S makes a better family car. Some people love a bit of RS6 (giggity). Sorry...it's a very good choice although I'd go with an E63S personally. At this budget, I like the W204 C Class- the W205 bugs me but the older one is still classy.

[@CarsWithJB]

A normal sized comment?! I knew I could lure in a GS450h comment though - a stinger would be very cool, not even a car I think about as a family car but of course it is

[@ApothecaryTerry]

@@CarsWithJB Too busy eating curry to type a long one 😆 Family cars is a hard one to define since there's the magazine definition (which I think is just anything Astra-sized) and then anything with 4+ seats and a boot. If a couple has 1 kid then a McLaren F1 is a half decent family car since it's got boot space too! Costs let it down a little admittedly...

[@jaythecarguy0460]

It’s Volkswagen Tiguan r line

[@plonker92]

I think the b7 a4 3.0 TDI wagon/estate should of made this list. Not uncommon to get 300bhp+ and as a estate has a lot of room.

[@viceminerrr4802]

I have a C5 RS6 Avant , yes it’s my dream car but my god the fuel bill, and other expenses Jesus

[@ITSG1LLY]

F30 M340d XDrive

[@monturrahman878]

Number 1 spot showed the BMW 335d but car in videos was a 320i automatic in poverty spec maybe change video to show an actual 335d which will be higher spec

[@shane24v]

Xf was 245bhp unless you bought the s version and it's not 5.9 to 60

[@tiborkiss9186]

maserati quattroporte 2007. it is an obvious choice.

[@user-sw2pu7xw3c]

mazda 323f 2001y

[@jailos10]

Using the term family car very loosely here JB

[@CarsWithJB]

🤪 if it fits 5 people and some luggage that’s family to me 😅

[@DjNikGnashers]

Mondeo 220 is one of the best looking cars Ford have ever made imo. Vectro VXR is just an awful understeery boat. Megane RS is a bargain trackday toy. The 225d is just the ultimate all-rounder.

[@asifnoaman8978]

I disagree with you. The Vectra still puts out a better lap time around a the top gear track even when they exaggerated its understeer. There is a reason why they have such an inclusive following. I kindly suggest you drive on for yourself that doesn't have TC and its IDS module deactivated like on the Top Gear episode. Have a good day

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@asifnoaman8978 Maybe I am biased, as I don't like FWD cars (well, I don't like the way they handle put it that way), and I drive everywhere with TCS, stability, and everything else turned off in my own car (a RWD M140i tuned to 455bhp/634nm). I love the feeling of the car moving around and get a thrill from having to concentrate and use skill to keep the thing in a straight line. I'd much rather have oversteer than understeer personally, it's fun. Civic Type R is the only car I felt didn't understeer too much on the limit, and maybe the i30N was a good second option (I used to work at a Hyundai dealership so drove a lot of those). I have been in a couple of Vectra VXR's and they did feel very understeery on the limit to me. Times around a track don't really tell you the full story, the Vectra was more powerful that the mondeo so it would be faster as it made up the time on the straights. I still think it was a much better looking car too.

[@asifnoaman8978]

@@DjNikGnashers fair enough mate you have made a valid point. I recently purchased a 2012 Astra GTC VXR. Probably the most refined VXR with minimum understeer. Scary is it managed to beat a Subaru WRX STI around a track in America

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@asifnoaman8978 Not sure if the US version of the WRX STi had less power than EU versions ? Might explain it. To be honest, although it was a great world rally car, the roadgoing standard WRX STi were actually quite understeery themselves lol, but hey horses for courses my friend, peace.

[@danclarke2305]

VW Passat Estate R

[@stevensimms7014]

Love your lists but no way I'd strap my two kids into a rocket for under £5k. How about highest safety rated fast wagons for under £10k? (Safety rating at time of launch). For me safety and speed gotta come hand in hand, and whilst most of it is behind the wheel who knows what sort of other drivers are going to cause a smack...

[@CarsWithJB]

That’s a very fair point - I think my lack of having any kids skews this a bit!

[@lukaweixler]

Audi rs6 c6

[@stephenbrewer2685]

The fact that JB doesn’t have 100k subs yet is a travesty. Genuinely believe he is one of the best at what he does. He’s massively slept on

[@CarsWithJB]

I appreciate the kind words! Doing my best 🤙🏽

[@Daniel-Alexandru]

Bmw 335d is a straight 6 not a v6 !!!

[@MrGwaldo]

BMW is in-line not v6

[@backjarton01]

Absolutely ridiculous that people want £5000+ for their clapped 335’s lmao

[@CarsWithJB]

Lol fr it’s amazing - worth less than £1k in scrap 😞

[@backjarton01]

@@CarsWithJB The whole second hand car market is completely out of control anyways, I swear people think it’s still 2010 and their 2006 3 series is only a “Four year old car” 🤨🤨🤨

[@nickcarter4894]

Enjoyable as always but buying a used beemer is buying into a world of pain.

[@CarsWithJB]

Haha maybe I’ll give it a go one day to see how painful!

[@andrewdoig5803]

@ £2 a litre they will be giving these cars away......

[@chrisuk1287]

Not sure how the most unreliable car comes out number 1, genuinely baffled at the BMW love on this channel........

[@CarsWithJB]

I order every video on 0-60 times (slowest to fastest) to reduce bias, and split up any draws with BHP figures!

[@MrRohanThomas]

but people go on about how good they're