1. Five of the Best Budget-Busting Family Cars
2. Vauxhall Vectra
3. Saab 9000
4. Land Rover Discovery

We like to throw in a wild card in fifth place. This time, it is seriously worth considering an early Land Rover Discovery in place of a conventional car. Surprisingly, £1,000 gives the buyer plenty of options to look into.

Don't expect a mint off-roader for this money. Most examples you find will have high mileage, but that is only really an issue if there is no service history or you yourself intend to cover a lot of distance in the car, in which case you are better off in one of the normal road cars. To its advantage, the Discovery has plenty of space, a commanding view of the road and serious off-roading ability should you need it. It would also make a fine tow car.

At first glance, it may appear prudent to opt for a diesel version, but to be honest the early diesels are a little asthmatic. Instead, you could look for a 3.5-litre V8 version that has already had a conversion to LPG.

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