Looks like I may have to start commuting a longer distance sometime soon due to my current contract coming to an end.
I've had it easy for the past couple of years with just a short cycle into town, so it's time to face up to the possibility of a daily commute by car 
If the next contract is any distance away I will need to buy a second car. The missus needs our current car - Octavia Estate - to ferry kids & related crap around during the day. I want to make a decision on what to buy now so that if/when the time comes I can act quickly without fannying around.
Requirements (in no particular order):
*Reliable
*Cheap to buy (up to maybe £3k I suppose?)
*Cheap to run
*Minimal depreciation (might sell it on at a future date not too far in the future)
*Not too tiring to drive long distances
*Plenty to choose from
*Can take 2 people & bikes & kit away for a weekend (the only other time I may use it)
*It won't make me weep too much
*Not French
Thinking of something around 5 years old - getting to the bottom of the depreciation curve - maybe a diesel Vauxhall Astra or a diesel Skoda Fabia?
Any advances?
