It might not sound possible, but a budget of £5000 really will get you a decent example of either a fairly swanky executive saloon or a classy big hatchback. That means ample room for at least four, lots of comfort, some premium entertainment in the cabin and an image that is distinctly up-market when you pull up to your driveway.

Here are our top half dozen examples to help you go up in the world without sending your finances down into a death-spiral.

1. VW Passat

Yes, our first suggestion is a Volkswagen with a diesel engine, and you need to take that on board. Having done so, you’ll enjoy a large and luxurious saloon with a spacious cabin that feels really well made. The lines are definitely up-market and it’s a good way to travel big distances. It’s not that much more expensive than a Ford Mondeo, but it’s lots classier.

Our choice: 2009 2.0 TDI Sport, 81,000 miles, full service history, £4795

2. Ford Mondeo

Oh look, we were just talking about you. The Mondeo is about as big and spacious as the Passat, but it’s a more enjoyable car to drive. There are plenty to choose from, many ordered with higher trim levels, so you should find one to suit you. Fairly cheap to buy, fairly cheap to run, pretty reliable – there’s plenty to recommend.

Our choice: 2008 2.0 TDCi Ghia, 86,000 miles, service history, £4466

3. BMW 3 Series

You’ll note we’ve chosen a petrol engine here, which is largely down to addressing any qualms about reliability. That means an even better driver’s car, certainly better than the two above it, and of course a classy one. But in terms of value for money, it’s not quite at the top.

Our choice: 2006 318i SE auto, 70,000 miles, £4495

4. Honda Accord

This earlier Accord was very well received, for obvious reasons. Again, we’ve gone for a petrol engine, which gives you an enjoyable driver’s experience, matched by great comfort for the passengers. This is a great cruiser, really quiet at speed, so if you want to do the miles, this would be a great choice. Honda’s reputation for reliability should enhance your peace of mind even further.

Our choice: 2007 2.0i VTEC EX, 62,000 miles, full service history, £3949

5. Mazda 6

The Mazda 6 isn’t really outstanding in any particular way, but it does a lot of things very well. It’s reliable, well built, economical and actually it’s a pretty good car to drive. The downsides are that the ride is a bit firm and the rear roofline limits rear headroom, but otherwise the pluses heavily outweigh the minuses.

Our choice: 2009 2.2d TS2, 80,000 miles, £4495

6. Seat Exeo

As the lines indicate, this is Seat’s take on the Audi A4 since they’re all part of the same group. As such, it’s solidly built, with a good range of engines along with plenty of standard kit. The cabin isn’t quite up to Audi standards, and depreciation is a lot worse than the A4s – but that makes it a great buy used.

Our choice: 2010 2.0 TDI SE, 89,000 miles, full service history, £4500