Chevrolet Tacuma 1.6 SX

The Chevrolet Tacuma is a rebadged Daewoo post 2004 and it is exactly the same except for ditching the weird toothy-grin grill and fitting three proper seat belts in the back in place of the earler centre lap strap, which for a family is good news. When new, these cars at RRP were way over priced, because, at the end of the day they are Korean and based on older designs. Used however, is a different story. Because the deprecation is savage, used low mileage Tacumas' can be found for incredibly low prices which for a family watching a budget, is also good. My Tacuma was an ex mobility car with 24k on the clock and just over three years old which I got from a dealer for only £3500 - a bargain. I always liked driving the Renault Megane Scenic but didn't want french mechanicals so the Tacuma seemed logical because it is virtually a copy of the Scenic for a couple of grand less. The interior is comfortable for five people with useful storage drawers under the front seats and covered cubby holes in the rear floor. The kids' love the space in the back and the fold down airline type tables. Yes, it is an ocean of grey cheap plastic but the cup holders work and it has toys like electric windows all round (lockable to stop little fingers messing with them) adjustable steering wheel, air con, three interior lights and drivers arm rest. The boot is big and with the rear seats folded, even bigger. The rear seats can also easily be removed from the car making the rear area like a small garage. Tacumas' were only fitted with petrol engines and the 1.6 litre will give you 32-35 mpg in normal mixed driving which is not brilliant but you must consider the original low purchase cost. Performance is adequate and it will easily sit at 70mph all day. Co2 is 192g/Km which is highish but the consequence of having an earler spec' GM engine which would have been cutting edge in 1995. Outside the styling is odd, some (including Clarkson) say ugly but in all honesty I'd say pig-ugly. However for this family man looks are not a priority. The roof bars make for practical load carrying ability and reliabiltiy thus far has been perfect. There are no known weaknesses with the engine and examples can be found for sale with well over 100k on the clock. Overall it is a practical, comfortable, good value car for the family if high performance or styling if not important. I've even seen them with delivery mileage only (like 10 miles) for less than £9k - now that is a bargain.