2 cars for minimal usage and least depreciation

[flatso]

We have the opportunity to arrange ourselves so as to work extremely close to home, school is around the corner and therefore we will only use cars for the occasional shopping run and weekend getaways and family vacations. We have 2 children and grandma may tag along once in a while. So, here are the criteria:

1. Small, cheap and reliable car with good inside space-to- outside dimensions ratio. It needs an auto box and has to have something "interesting" or "smart" about it.


2. Large car for family vacations and weekend outings, it needs to be safe, decently reliable and offer a sense of occasion.

Fuel consumption is not really a major issue, purchase price can wander upwards but the depreciation needs to be minimal and it needs to be fairly easy to resell.

Looking forward to the imaginative suggestions.

[Jamescrs]

For your criteria of a small car what about an electric car, Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe? Probably not overly cheap but depreciation will be minimal, will be an auto and has something smart about it in the fact it's electric

[Wilmslowboy]

If you did the maths ....

These two would be the best option.

[Monkeylegend]

Smart Forfour
E63 AMG Estate

but the post above is the more sensible option

[kieranblenk]

For your small, cheap car I'd get something Jap like a Swift, Splash or Yaris with low owners and mileage for about £2-3k. I know that doesn't meet the interesting criteria but would fit the rest of the brief, in which case an Audi A2 might be worth a look.

For your big car, if it's not gonna get used much you may as well get a large capacity petrol (V8 preferably) estate car from any of the German marques such as an RS6 or E63.

[SCEtoAUX]

Jamescrs said:

For your criteria of a small car what about an electric car, Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe? Probably not overly cheap but depreciation will be minimal, will be an auto and has something smart about it in the fact it's electric

My first thought was a Leaf as I have one.

You'll need to pay £9k to get the 2nd generation one (ignore Gen 1) but if you cover enough miles on lots of short-ish trips it will forever be paying you back. (As a very rough guide you'll save 10p on fuel every mile you drive).

Very relaxing to drive, zero VED, cheap to insure and mine has proved 100% reliable over 47k miles.

[Moonpie21]

Please forgive my assumption, but it sounds like you aren't too worried about looks or driveability, more practicality and feeling (but not in the driving sense) for a reasonable price. Which led me to:

1) Honda Jazz, like a tardis inside, seats go bed like flat (or used to) those old people are on to something. Or maybe a personal favourite for small quirky stylish and fun a Fiat Panda 4x4 twinair.

2) Join the masses go SUV and I like the idea of a Kia Sorento for a bit of Korean luxury, 7 seats with 2 you will never need but good space, long warranty has a fair amount of presence and a good level of kit.

Anyway just some thoughts.

[troika]

No 1. Take your pick of whatever you fancy.

No 2. VW California. Brilliant vehicle, extremely versatile and virtually depreciation free. Mine lost 3% in just under 2 years. Look at the Beach version if you don’t want the kitchen stuff.

[designforlife]

1. Toyota bB
2. Nissan Elgrand

Not sure if the Elgrand would be an occasion enough, but they aren't slow!

[flatso]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

1. I also thought about an electric small car, it does make sense and is "special" enough. The Leaf and the Volt are interesting.

2. I already have a large MB Viano, the T6 is maybe a bit smarter in its space usage….they are very versatile vehicles, but I do not enjoy driving them. They are commercial vehicles and cannot fully disguise their origins. Minivans ala Sienna, Odyssey are much more comfortable vehicles.

Unfortunately estates are all too small.

I would like something that also drives and/or rides very nice, a large SUV (GLS or Q7) did cross my mind, but I am trying to avoid the depreciation.

Looking forward to further suggestions.

[designforlife]

For car 1 how about a Honda CRZ?

Sports Hybrid, quirky styling, might be on the small side though?

[Moonpie21]

designforlife said:

1. Toyota bB
2. Nissan Elgrand

Not sure if the Elgrand would be an occasion enough, but they aren't slow!

I'll vouch for the Elgrand, love driving mine. 6 Sofas with a fairly decent engine behind it to surprise a few people, fuel economy = not great. Big old beast, so don't expect go kart like cornering and lots of menus in Japanese which can be frustrating.

3,000 KM through France just completed, didn't miss a beat, total comfort and plenty of space for four big adults and one very short attention spanned 5 year old.

[troika]

flatso said:

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

1. I also thought about an electric small car, it does make sense and is "special" enough. The Leaf and the Volt are interesting.

2. I already have a large MB Viano, the T6 is maybe a bit smarter in its space usage….they are very versatile vehicles, but I do not enjoy driving them. They are commercial vehicles and cannot fully disguise their origins. Minivans ala Sienna, Odyssey are much more comfortable vehicles.

Unfortunately estates are all too small.

I would like something that also drives and/or rides very nice, a large SUV (GLS or Q7) did cross my mind, but I am trying to avoid the depreciation.

Looking forward to further suggestions.

Worth trying a Cali. They are based on a Caravelle rather than a Transporter so the drive is much, much better. Won’t drive like a GLS though but certainly far more acceptable and comfortable than than a standard T6.

Can’t think of an SUV that won’t drop like a stone.