Taking the plunge, I'm not so sure.
Discussion
Hi guys.
I've currently got a 2012 Ford smax titanium x sport.
All paid for owned for 6 years now costing £15k worth around £5k to wbac.
Found a nice sq5 2018, 45k on the clock, good spec priced at £32,800.
Looking at
£8k deposit
£237 x 36
£22 432 balloon.
So worried about this going into a "recession" possibly and inflated car prices. I need a new vehicle but not sure if its excessive rather than buying say a used 5 series for 16 - 17k.
Have 3 kids, no car seats though.
Just not sure in these uncertain times this is the right thing to do. Any opinions on both the situation, the vehicle and the package.
.thanks
I've currently got a 2012 Ford smax titanium x sport.
All paid for owned for 6 years now costing £15k worth around £5k to wbac.
Found a nice sq5 2018, 45k on the clock, good spec priced at £32,800.
Looking at
£8k deposit
£237 x 36
£22 432 balloon.
So worried about this going into a "recession" possibly and inflated car prices. I need a new vehicle but not sure if its excessive rather than buying say a used 5 series for 16 - 17k.
Have 3 kids, no car seats though.
Just not sure in these uncertain times this is the right thing to do. Any opinions on both the situation, the vehicle and the package.
.thanks
Total repayable there is just shy of £39k. The monthly repayments are pretty low, but that's to be expected given that between the deposit and final payment you're only £1500 shy of the purchase price.
Personal view on this would be that a 25mpg SUV with the last generation interior and little redeeming features isn't what I'd want to pay £16.5k to drive for three years (Assuming the final payment is actual final value at 3yrs, obviously this could differ).
I think if you're worried about the financial side of this then that often takes away any enjoyment that you're meant to have from getting a slightly more premium/performance alternative to what you might consider your safe option (a 520i?) and you end up resenting the car more than enjoying it.
What's your driving profile look like? 95% of your time spent on motorways and/or school runs? Would you get any benefit from having a 350bhp V6 engine aside from a slightly more enjoyable sound when starting the engine?
Personal view on this would be that a 25mpg SUV with the last generation interior and little redeeming features isn't what I'd want to pay £16.5k to drive for three years (Assuming the final payment is actual final value at 3yrs, obviously this could differ).
I think if you're worried about the financial side of this then that often takes away any enjoyment that you're meant to have from getting a slightly more premium/performance alternative to what you might consider your safe option (a 520i?) and you end up resenting the car more than enjoying it.
What's your driving profile look like? 95% of your time spent on motorways and/or school runs? Would you get any benefit from having a 350bhp V6 engine aside from a slightly more enjoyable sound when starting the engine?
Mjsibs said:
Hi guys.
I've currently got a 2012 Ford smax titanium x sport.
All paid for owned for 6 years now costing £15k worth around £5k to wbac.
Found a nice sq5 2018, 45k on the clock, good spec priced at £32,800.
Looking at
£8k deposit
£237 x 36
£22 432 balloon.
So worried about this going into a "recession" possibly and inflated car prices. I need a new vehicle but not sure if its excessive rather than buying say a used 5 series for 16 - 17k.
Have 3 kids, no car seats though.
Just not sure in these uncertain times this is the right thing to do. Any opinions on both the situation, the vehicle and the package.
.thanks
Are the kids grown or are they getting bigger? the reason I ask is because the SQ5 isn't exactly spacious especially after having an S Max.I've currently got a 2012 Ford smax titanium x sport.
All paid for owned for 6 years now costing £15k worth around £5k to wbac.
Found a nice sq5 2018, 45k on the clock, good spec priced at £32,800.
Looking at
£8k deposit
£237 x 36
£22 432 balloon.
So worried about this going into a "recession" possibly and inflated car prices. I need a new vehicle but not sure if its excessive rather than buying say a used 5 series for 16 - 17k.
Have 3 kids, no car seats though.
Just not sure in these uncertain times this is the right thing to do. Any opinions on both the situation, the vehicle and the package.
.thanks
Thanks guys.
Growing 11, 7 & 4. Again I've not viewed it as yet but a normal q5 looked OK. Nothing really compares with smax type cars in terms of space though, that's the tough choice of moving away.
Most of the time it'll be shops, school runs, running about on weekends ect.
I'd probably intend on selling at 3 years tbh or swapping.
Can't see it being a ton more in value that the gtfv but may be wrong. I've looked at newer s max cars but again not far off with good spec etc £28 - 30k.
Growing 11, 7 & 4. Again I've not viewed it as yet but a normal q5 looked OK. Nothing really compares with smax type cars in terms of space though, that's the tough choice of moving away.
Most of the time it'll be shops, school runs, running about on weekends ect.
I'd probably intend on selling at 3 years tbh or swapping.
Can't see it being a ton more in value that the gtfv but may be wrong. I've looked at newer s max cars but again not far off with good spec etc £28 - 30k.
Appreciate this may seem like a MumsNet response...
..but it seems like madness to me to spend £16.5K over 3yrs (plus all associated running costs being more expensive than the S-Max in that period) on a car that will be noticeably inferior as a family vehicle than the one you currently have. Your kids aren't going thank you for the noticeably reduced space they have as they grow.
Then there is the money side. If the money side is at all a concern then definitely don't do it. Can you afford the balloon at the end or will you be carless?
</Mumsnet>
..but it seems like madness to me to spend £16.5K over 3yrs (plus all associated running costs being more expensive than the S-Max in that period) on a car that will be noticeably inferior as a family vehicle than the one you currently have. Your kids aren't going thank you for the noticeably reduced space they have as they grow.
Then there is the money side. If the money side is at all a concern then definitely don't do it. Can you afford the balloon at the end or will you be carless?
</Mumsnet>
Thanks for the response. I get what you mean. Problem is that my smax is going to hold on much longer.
Me and wife are both car lovers a I'm a petrol head. Had a M6 and 540i etc
I want a nice car. Financially what I mean is deposit and monthly are no problem. Balloon yes I can pay but its just what the vehicle is worth at the end thats concerning. Basically it's something I like but as with all cars don't really feel like leasing it if I'm handing it back because its only worth say 21k.
I could out right purchase now or bank loan at 2.6% but don't really want to use cash reserves up.
Me and wife are both car lovers a I'm a petrol head. Had a M6 and 540i etc
I want a nice car. Financially what I mean is deposit and monthly are no problem. Balloon yes I can pay but its just what the vehicle is worth at the end thats concerning. Basically it's something I like but as with all cars don't really feel like leasing it if I'm handing it back because its only worth say 21k.
I could out right purchase now or bank loan at 2.6% but don't really want to use cash reserves up.
I'm with the Mumsnet crew I'm afraid.
An SQ5 feels like an unhappy compromise vehicle in my opinion. And I do think you'll find it won't be big enough for three kids. A friend of mine is swapping hers for a bigger car after only 18 months because it's not big enough and she's only got the one 12-year-old. (She's gone for a Volvo V60.)
Maybe there's a different way to balance out petrolhead vs parent conundrum. Do you have an option to get the S-Max fixed up, keep for another two or three years, and maybe spend something on a proper sports car just for you? Something you take out for a blat when you don't need to consider car seats and juice boxes. If you take it out of the what it owes you vs what it's worth calculation, and look at it as sunk costs + its value as a family tool, it might free up come more creative thinking.
If you do need to change it, space-wise, you'd be way better off with a Q7/SQ7 than a 5. Masses more room inside.
Or you could look at an S6 Avant. These are so much more capacious than the S/Q5 it's night and day. And ultimately a better drive, too, with it not being an SUV.
An SQ5 feels like an unhappy compromise vehicle in my opinion. And I do think you'll find it won't be big enough for three kids. A friend of mine is swapping hers for a bigger car after only 18 months because it's not big enough and she's only got the one 12-year-old. (She's gone for a Volvo V60.)
Maybe there's a different way to balance out petrolhead vs parent conundrum. Do you have an option to get the S-Max fixed up, keep for another two or three years, and maybe spend something on a proper sports car just for you? Something you take out for a blat when you don't need to consider car seats and juice boxes. If you take it out of the what it owes you vs what it's worth calculation, and look at it as sunk costs + its value as a family tool, it might free up come more creative thinking.
If you do need to change it, space-wise, you'd be way better off with a Q7/SQ7 than a 5. Masses more room inside.
Or you could look at an S6 Avant. These are so much more capacious than the S/Q5 it's night and day. And ultimately a better drive, too, with it not being an SUV.
It's a Powershift box so looking 3 to 4k to replace. Selling privately I wouldn't do due to the box. Wbac is 5k after listing curbed rims etc.
Actually looked at another smax today. 27k. Very nice but very low spec.
Never really considered the q7. The sq5 was a compromise i Actually really like them. Just not sure if space wise it's right for me.
Love the s6 but running cost must be considerably higher than the others mentioned.
Actually looked at another smax today. 27k. Very nice but very low spec.
Never really considered the q7. The sq5 was a compromise i Actually really like them. Just not sure if space wise it's right for me.
Love the s6 but running cost must be considerably higher than the others mentioned.
Mjsibs said:
Hi guys.
I've currently got a 2012 Ford smax titanium x sport.
All paid for owned for 6 years now costing £15k worth around £5k to wbac.
Found a nice sq5 2018, 45k on the clock, good spec priced at £32,800.
Looking at
£8k deposit
£237 x 36
£22 432 balloon.
So worried about this going into a "recession" possibly and inflated car prices. I need a new vehicle but not sure if its excessive rather than buying say a used 5 series for 16 - 17k.
Have 3 kids, no car seats though.
Just not sure in these uncertain times this is the right thing to do. Any opinions on both the situation, the vehicle and the package.
.thanks
I wouldn’t, bills are going through the roof so what you can afford now might not look so appealing 12 - 18 months in. Only you know your finances though but the economy is clearly in major difficulty so wouldn’t want any large commitments I've currently got a 2012 Ford smax titanium x sport.
All paid for owned for 6 years now costing £15k worth around £5k to wbac.
Found a nice sq5 2018, 45k on the clock, good spec priced at £32,800.
Looking at
£8k deposit
£237 x 36
£22 432 balloon.
So worried about this going into a "recession" possibly and inflated car prices. I need a new vehicle but not sure if its excessive rather than buying say a used 5 series for 16 - 17k.
Have 3 kids, no car seats though.
Just not sure in these uncertain times this is the right thing to do. Any opinions on both the situation, the vehicle and the package.
.thanks
Take it from me, you'll miss the 3rd row of seats.
They are more useful IMO the older they get with giving lifts to friends, grand parents, keeping them apart etc..
I went from Alhambra to Avensis estate when my youngest was out of his car seat, 6 months later bought an XC90 and kept a 7 seater until the oldest started driving at 17!
They are more useful IMO the older they get with giving lifts to friends, grand parents, keeping them apart etc..
I went from Alhambra to Avensis estate when my youngest was out of his car seat, 6 months later bought an XC90 and kept a 7 seater until the oldest started driving at 17!
GreatGranny said:
Take it from me, you'll miss the 3rd row of seats.
They are more useful IMO the older they get with giving lifts to friends, grand parents, keeping them apart etc..
I went from Alhambra to Avensis estate when my youngest was out of his car seat, 6 months later bought an XC90 and kept a 7 seater until the oldest started driving at 17!
I know what you mean. Also 7 seater cars do tend to hold a big chunk of equity as always in demand i guess. They are more useful IMO the older they get with giving lifts to friends, grand parents, keeping them apart etc..
I went from Alhambra to Avensis estate when my youngest was out of his car seat, 6 months later bought an XC90 and kept a 7 seater until the oldest started driving at 17!
Probably not going to entertain this when you're considering a posh Audi 
but how about a brand new Jogger?
I never get the 'isn't big enough' thing though... our family cars for our first kid was a KA and a MINI! Second kid we upgraded to a Jazz, and now with the third kid we're managing with a KIA C'eed, though will be looking to upgrade to a C-Max soon (yes C not S!)
but how about a brand new Jogger?I never get the 'isn't big enough' thing though... our family cars for our first kid was a KA and a MINI! Second kid we upgraded to a Jazz, and now with the third kid we're managing with a KIA C'eed, though will be looking to upgrade to a C-Max soon (yes C not S!)
Yes I know what your saying, vast difference in terms of vehicles.
But all withing a 5k ish price rang difference.
So it's just finding the best vehicle, financially and practically. I'm not comparing cars as in which is a better more desirable vehicle. More in terms of overall package.
Space is a huge thing , carrying luggage, kids and day to stuff like tip runs and shopping.
But all withing a 5k ish price rang difference.
So it's just finding the best vehicle, financially and practically. I'm not comparing cars as in which is a better more desirable vehicle. More in terms of overall package.
Space is a huge thing , carrying luggage, kids and day to stuff like tip runs and shopping.
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