SUV - 12k Budget - Page 1 - Car Buying

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 18th May

My OH works for a car manufacturer and as part of her company benefits we get a new car every 9months. They are looking at changing the benefit scheme and offering some staff the chance to hand back the cars, and increase their salary. As such we are looking at the benefits of taking the money and buying privately.

Budget is up to 12k and requirements below:

Only my OH and I, but also have two spaniels so need good boot space.
12,000 a year mileage
Petrol or Diesel is fine (lots of motorway usage to get to office)
Preference is SUV but could maybe look at an estate.
Not high mileage
Being spoilt by having brand new cars for the last 10years it will need to have a decent kit list (parking sensors, Apple CarPlay, air on etc.

Having a quick look on autotrader we narrowed is down to the following:

Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Skoda Kodiq (Seat similar)
Honda HRV or CRV
Mazda CX3/5
Toyota RAV4
Mini Clubman (my preference biggrin

)

Long shot might be an XC60 but might be older versions big miles.

Have I missed anything? Any of the above to avoid due to issues with engine / gearbox etc

OH does not want a Peugeot, Renault, Ford, Vauxhall or any of the big Germans.

In terms of estates it would be similar manufacturers, but estate versions (i40, Ceed etc)

Potentially leasing / PCP might be an option but would prefer to finance via a loan.

Thanks

interstellar

3,386 posts

148 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 18th May

How much car allowance is she getting to get out of the scheme.

Oem schemes are normally very good.

Yomamaisasnowblower

283 posts

19 months

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[news]

Saturday 18th May

You can strike the Kodiaq/Tarraco off the list for 12k unless very high miles.

Jimjimhim

136 posts

2 months

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[news]

Saturday 18th May

Tell your other half to choose a car based on it's abilities and not on its badge or country of origin.

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 18th May

interstellar said:

How much car allowance is she getting to get out of the scheme.

Oem schemes are normally very good.

It's an odd scheme. Not a traditional car scheme in that you take either a car or monthly allowance.

It would be the case of hand back the car, and they up your final salary. Potentially an extra 400-500 a month per month

interstellar

3,386 posts

148 months

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Saturday 18th May

500 before tax isn’t great. She will now avoid company car tax but depending on what she gets is it worth it?

Turtle Shed

1,576 posts

28 months

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[news]

Sunday 19th May

RAV4 won't go wrong (IMHO, and I've owned Toyotas for 40 years).

Our current one is great, but doesn't have Apple/Android thing. Not something I care about but I can see why people like it.

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 19th May

Turtle Shed said:

RAV4 won't go wrong (IMHO, and I've owned Toyotas for 40 years).

Our current one is great, but doesn't have Apple/Android thing. Not something I care about but I can see why people like it.

Thanks. Petrol or diesel though?

ZX10R NIN

27,743 posts

127 months

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Sunday 19th May

Jimjimhim

136 posts

2 months

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Sunday 19th May

ZX10R NIN said:

Ford and Renault are both on the random list of makes that aren't allowed.

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 19th May

Jimjimhim said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Ford and Renault are both on the random list of makes that aren't allowed.

Thanks I will take a look.

It's not they aren't allowed, it's just the OH would prefer not to have one from those manufacturers. Just a personal preference.

Jimjimhim

136 posts

2 months

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[news]

Sunday 19th May

Challo said:

Jimjimhim said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Ford and Renault are both on the random list of makes that aren't allowed.

Thanks I will take a look.

It's not they aren't allowed, it's just the OH would prefer not to have one from those manufacturers. Just a personal preference.

Better to just choose the best car rather than worry about the badge.

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

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[news]

Sunday 19th May

ZX10R NIN said:

Thanks. Those Infinity QX looks cracking value. They pretty reliable?

ZX10R NIN

27,743 posts

127 months

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[news]

Sunday 19th May

Challo said:

Thanks. Those Infinity QX looks cracking value. They pretty reliable?

Very reliable I have family members running them & they've been faultless, they're all also ULEZ compliant so no issues should you need to go into a zone.

a311

5,837 posts

179 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 19th May

Older version of the XC60 there seems to be good value. Newer version are high milers getting towards your budget.

My neighbour has an Egde, quite like the styling. Actually like the looks of the Citroën ZX shared.

It seems unless you go for a more premium marque the engine choices are fairly limited which puts me off far more than any badge. Currently have a XC60 T8 PHEV. Got more used to doing the majority of journeys on full electric rather than the 400bhp though...

macron

9,976 posts

168 months

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Sunday 19th May

interstellar said:

500 before tax isn’t great. She will now avoid company car tax but depending on what she gets is it worth it?

We know, you said that yesterday. One assumes the OP knows the answer to this hence asking the question.

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 19th May

interstellar said:

500 before tax isn’t great. She will now avoid company car tax but depending on what she gets is it worth it?

I think it’s about 400 after tax. She needs to get HR to confirm exactly the numbers, and how it impacts her take home pay.

Having a brand new car is great, but we are happy to change if it means a few extra pennies in her pocket. Plus at the moment we are limited to one brand.

Challo

Original Poster

10,315 posts

157 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 19th May

ZX10R NIN said:

Challo said:

Thanks. Those Infinity QX looks cracking value. They pretty reliable?

Very reliable I have family members running them & they've been faultless, they're all also ULEZ compliant so no issues should you need to go into a zone.

Cheers will take a look. The 3lt diesel does sound a nice way to cruise about.

a311 said:

Older version of the XC60 there seems to be good value. Newer version are high milers getting towards your budget.

My neighbour has an Egde, quite like the styling. Actually like the looks of the Citroën ZX shared.

It seems unless you go for a more premium marque the engine choices are fairly limited which puts me off far more than any badge. Currently have a XC60 T8 PHEV. Got more used to doing the majority of journeys on full electric rather than the 400bhp though...

I do like the styling of the Edge. Had the D5 in a C30, and would like an XC60.

interstellar

3,386 posts

148 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 19th May

Challo said:

interstellar said:

500 before tax isn’t great. She will now avoid company car tax but depending on what she gets is it worth it?

I think it’s about 400 after tax. She needs to get HR to confirm exactly the numbers, and how it impacts her take home pay.

Having a brand new car is great, but we are happy to change if it means a few extra pennies in her pocket. Plus at the moment we are limited to one brand.

That’s weird. I never posted that twice. I mentioned it yesterday but can assure you I am not a repetitive parrot.

How odd!

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