Car buying guidance

[Matt196695]

So, I kind of love cars, but not enough to really know what's best for me.

I currently own a Jaguar XF Luxury (2013).

Monthly fees:
Diesel: ~£250-300 (at 32MPG) <- edited
Insurance: ~£60
Tax: ~£15
Monthly savings for maintenance: £30.
AA ~ £10

Total monthly: ~£415

I own it outright, bought at auction for £4,500 at 120,000 miles. It's now at 130,000 miles and I'm confident I could probably sell for 5.5k-ish.

I've spoken to my accountant, and he's advised I could get an electric car, but chances are, it'll just breakeven or even be down more money each month, so I don't see much value in this besides the flex of having a "new car", and being in the same position I'm in now.

I swear I don't use the car that much, yet somehow I'm spending over 400 every month on fuel...


Yes, in an ideal world, I'd go out and buy the most fuel-efficient Corsa, but unfortunately, I have a bit of an ego. If I was 17, I'd happily do it. But... now I'm pushing 30, I'd like something nice, but a lot more efficient financially.

What are the best cars, and options, for somebody like myself? Or am I just living in cloud cuckoo land?

Edited by Matt196695 on Wednesday 8th March 13:11

Edited by Matt196695 on Wednesday 8th March 13:38

[Turbobanana]

VERY basic maths suggests you're covering c2,000 miles per month. Is that correct?

[Matt196695]

Turbobanana said:

VERY basic maths suggests you're covering c2,000 miles per month. Is that correct?

Bit embarrassing here, I don't monitor it. However, I bought May 2022.

It had 119,000 miles on it, it now has 130,000. So in 10 months, I've done 11,000 miles.

[av185]

Have you seen how much Corsas cost?

[Matt196695]

av185 said:

Have you seen how much Corsas cost?

No, I'm just assuming it's significantly less. Whenever I tell anybody what I'm paying for fuel, they don't believe me.

[Muzzer79]

Matt196695 said:

Turbobanana said:

VERY basic maths suggests you're covering c2,000 miles per month. Is that correct?

Bit embarrassing here, I don't monitor it. However, I bought May 2022.

It had 119,000 miles on it, it now has 130,000. So in 10 months, I've done 11,000 miles.

So you're doing 1100 miles a month on average

£400 on fuel indicates you're getting about 20mpg

That seems low for a diesel Jag. Are you sure you're spending £400 every month?

Where did you get 32mpg from?

[Matt196695]

Muzzer79 said:

So you're doing 1100 miles a month on average

£400 on fuel indicates you're getting about 20mpg

That seems low for a diesel Jag. Are you sure you're spending £400 every month?

Where did you get 32mpg from?

I've just gone through my bank statements. I am wrong, I'm paying an average of £250-£300 each month.


32MPG is coming from the dash of the car.

[CG2020UK]

I don’t think you’ll get massively cheaper than that to be honest while keeping a used ‘luxury car’

You just do a lot miles in a quite poor mpg car unfortunately.

Your maintenance costs are tiny which is a good sign!