New car or second-hand car for same value - suggestions?!

[wittzi]

My wife and I have agreed we'll spend £20k on a car and are currently wondering whether to buy a brand new car, or buy a second hand one for the same value.

I currently have a C Class 230 Coupe Kompressor, but it's killing us on fuel costs and getting old.

The wife wants a new £20k 2011 Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 2 which I test drove and whilst I didn't think that it was too bad, I'm impressed that it genuinely gets 55mpg and it had a decent specification. If not the Kia, then a new car for around the same price.

My question is whether people think that I should buy the Kia (or other new car for £20k) or maybe get a decent new(ish) VW Passat, C Class Merc, etc ... instead.

It's a difficult decision, as I'm amazed at the drive and build quality of the Kia (as well as getting a 7 year warranty), whereas an older car carries a few more risks.

I'd appreciate any feedback on whether the Kia (or similar new car) would be your preferred choice or whether you would choose a second-hand car (and if so what car that would be).

I'm primarily looking for the best economy, whilst ideally being able to open it upon country roads if I feel like it! I guess that combo probably doesn't really exist, but I'd appreciate any ideas that anyone has!!!

[Sir Bagalot]

Annual mileage?

[gareth.e]

Will you be keeping it the foreseeable future?

Personally I'd go secondhand every single time. Forget massive depreciation, get and get a better car, its unlikely servicing will be that much

Also 20k seems rather expensive for a kia!! No wonder you get a 7 year warranty..

[LukeSi]

For something economical and quick you are looking at a 3 series. Have a look at the 325d M-Sport as a 58 plate one is about that from a dealer. Depending on what sort of driving you do it will get around 50mpg. And it is a 3.0L diesel. Good for 150mph aswell. Leather is a must though and the auto box is pretty good. A couple of months I would have said the Kia but not after having had the BMW for a while I doubt the Kia could come close.

[AndrewIC]

I would go for a year or two old car from VAG. You would still get warranty, not take the big hit as soon as you leave the showroom like you do with a new car and get a better car with higher spec.

Don't mean to be a badge snob, but I wouldn't touch the Kia with barge pole.

[VeeFour]

£20k buys an awful lot of petrol.