Help me buy a car for a non petrolhead mate.
Discussion
Hi all
I'm ashamed to admit I have a totally non petrolhead mate. No interest in cars whatsoever - they are absolutely just a means of getting around for him and all he wants is the minimum hassle possible.
He's got a new job which comes with a car allowance, and he'll be moving away from friends and family so wants to upgrade his ancient Megane (his mum's old car) to something more up-to-date. It won't get used during the week, but will probably be used for longish journeys at the weekend (Bristol to Cambridge for instance).
It makes be bloody sick because he's single and earns a reasonable amount. He could easily afford a 5 year old 911 or new-ish Boxster etc, but there's no way he'll be interested.
His budget is ten to fifteen grand and he says he wants a five-door hatchback. He could spend more but he won't!
If it was me, with that spec, I'd be looking at newish 1-series, golfs, maybe an Alfa. However, if he's really not interested in anything other than a means of hauling his arse around and he just wants minimum hassle, I wonder whether he might be better of with a brand new Hyundau (i30) or something similar - something with a long warranty, free RAC cover etc.
He'll probably keep the damn thing until the wheels fall off so depreciation is not much of a concern.
So, based on the criteria (some comfort, 5 doors, not too big, minimal hassle, not outrageously low mpg) what do you think the best options are at the moment?
Thanks for your time!
I'm ashamed to admit I have a totally non petrolhead mate. No interest in cars whatsoever - they are absolutely just a means of getting around for him and all he wants is the minimum hassle possible.
He's got a new job which comes with a car allowance, and he'll be moving away from friends and family so wants to upgrade his ancient Megane (his mum's old car) to something more up-to-date. It won't get used during the week, but will probably be used for longish journeys at the weekend (Bristol to Cambridge for instance).
It makes be bloody sick because he's single and earns a reasonable amount. He could easily afford a 5 year old 911 or new-ish Boxster etc, but there's no way he'll be interested.
His budget is ten to fifteen grand and he says he wants a five-door hatchback. He could spend more but he won't!
If it was me, with that spec, I'd be looking at newish 1-series, golfs, maybe an Alfa. However, if he's really not interested in anything other than a means of hauling his arse around and he just wants minimum hassle, I wonder whether he might be better of with a brand new Hyundau (i30) or something similar - something with a long warranty, free RAC cover etc.
He'll probably keep the damn thing until the wheels fall off so depreciation is not much of a concern.
So, based on the criteria (some comfort, 5 doors, not too big, minimal hassle, not outrageously low mpg) what do you think the best options are at the moment?
Thanks for your time!
Dont try and force Petrolhead choices onto a Non believer, he just wants something that wont break down, is comfortable, unobtrusive, with reasonable performance and economy, dont try to convince him that a 20 year old E30 M3 with race harnesses is his ideal car.
I would suggest a Volvo, Audi or something Japanese.
I would suggest a Volvo, Audi or something Japanese.
i30 isn't one that would have occurred to me, but does seem a good idea actually...
I walk past a black one every morning and it looks fairly tidy, in an unobtrusive 'move along, nothing to see here' kind of way.
I doubt they drive in any way that would offend someone who sees cars in the same way as dishwashers, and the 7 year warranty would be a very good sweetener.
I walk past a black one every morning and it looks fairly tidy, in an unobtrusive 'move along, nothing to see here' kind of way.
I doubt they drive in any way that would offend someone who sees cars in the same way as dishwashers, and the 7 year warranty would be a very good sweetener.
mrtwisty said:
i30 isn't one that would have occurred to me, but does seem a good idea actually...
I walk past a black one every morning and it looks fairly tidy, in an unobtrusive 'move along, nothing to see here' kind of way.
I doubt they drive in any way that would offend someone who sees cars in the same way as dishwashers, and the 7 year warranty would be a very good sweetener.
"Only" five years of warranty with Hyundai. Kia for seven years.I walk past a black one every morning and it looks fairly tidy, in an unobtrusive 'move along, nothing to see here' kind of way.
I doubt they drive in any way that would offend someone who sees cars in the same way as dishwashers, and the 7 year warranty would be a very good sweetener.
BMW 120/23d M Sport.
Better ownership proposition and steer than the Golf or Audi IMO, has a little bit of PH about it and wont depreciate like a stone, unlike many of the other suggestions on here for a new car.
Get a WarrantyWise/WarrantyDirect if out of BMW period and good to go.
Seriously, not only is it the better car but it makes far more sense financially than buying some crappy Korean box with a 7 year warranty that will be worth half that in 2 years and will slowly erode your friends soul away.
Who knows, it might even convert him...
Better ownership proposition and steer than the Golf or Audi IMO, has a little bit of PH about it and wont depreciate like a stone, unlike many of the other suggestions on here for a new car.
Get a WarrantyWise/WarrantyDirect if out of BMW period and good to go.
Seriously, not only is it the better car but it makes far more sense financially than buying some crappy Korean box with a 7 year warranty that will be worth half that in 2 years and will slowly erode your friends soul away.
Who knows, it might even convert him...
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 11th October 13:59
Is a Golf really suitable? They tend to drive better than the competition, but the OP's mate won't care about that. Historically, German cars also normally cost more to run than a Japanese car, and they usually prove to be not as reliable as their far eastern equivalents. The only advantage is more solid residuals when selling on to someone who does care about badge/drive etc. Personally I'd go for something Japanese - perhaps a Honda Civic or Toyota Yaris/Auris? I'd also buy at around 18 months to two years old to save on the initial depreciation. Some cars like that are treated like a toilet by owners sho don't care, but if you look carefully there are some absolute gems out there in that sector. There's also no need to spend £15k on a car if you're not into cars, the money's better spent on something that the guy is interested in, like holidays or a new kitchen etc.
Diesel auto.
He'll want a good servicing plan and warranty and if he's not into cars, he could get more for his money with a company that makes solid cars rather than has an upmarket branding ambition.
I'd look at Skoda, Kia, Volvo, perhaps Citroen.
Or just go for what seems like market leader for just-get-you-there family-mobiles (must be for a good reason), Ford Focus.
He'll want a good servicing plan and warranty and if he's not into cars, he could get more for his money with a company that makes solid cars rather than has an upmarket branding ambition.
I'd look at Skoda, Kia, Volvo, perhaps Citroen.
Or just go for what seems like market leader for just-get-you-there family-mobiles (must be for a good reason), Ford Focus.
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