Cost of ‘upgrading’
Discussion
I’m not quite ready to change my car yet but like most on here I do enjoy a bit of research.
Currently driving a Fiesta ST3, it’s a 2017 66 plate so the last of the mk7 cars and I like it a lot. Thinking about where to go next it’ll most likely be another hot hatch as it suits my circumstances and does both the fun and practical stuff well. Ideally I would aim for the next size up for a bit more all round usability, as in a more settled ride and improved quality and refinement. It still needs to be fun to drive but that’s perhaps not top priority anymore. What I do like when I change cars is to get something newer than my current one as it feels more like a step up and this leads me to the potential problem.
In the past I’ve tried to limit my budget to around 10k. Obviously 15k is now the new 10k so I’ll have to suck it up and pay more when the time comes. But browsing AT I have noticed something about pricing of cars when they move from one generation to another. Take my ST3 for example, a 2017 mk7 can be had for 11k but you’ll need 17k for a 2018 mk8. I understand the newer car will cost more but it seems out of proportion. The same thing happens with most other makes, particularly with ones I’m considering.
2016 Megane RS275 Nav with cup chassis 15k
2018 Megane RS280 over 20k
2016 Golf gti with pp around 16k
2017 Golf gti performance (245bhp) over 20k
I really like the i30N but an early one from 2018 is again over 20k. I know there’s no previous car to compare this with.
So it seems that if I want something newer than 2017 I’m now well over budget. It’s not a complete no no but I do wonder if it’s really worth it. I’d guess that the price hike has something to do with technology and things like improvements in infotainment and the like. Not sure if all that bothers me much though. I like the Fiesta because I can just get in it and drive without having to select drive modes and set it all up. I don’t get things like launch control. I very rarely even turn the stereo on!
Does anyone else feel that cars have become too complicated and therefore too expensive for their own good? Or is it worth forking out for the latest versions if they’re so much better than the previous ones?
Currently driving a Fiesta ST3, it’s a 2017 66 plate so the last of the mk7 cars and I like it a lot. Thinking about where to go next it’ll most likely be another hot hatch as it suits my circumstances and does both the fun and practical stuff well. Ideally I would aim for the next size up for a bit more all round usability, as in a more settled ride and improved quality and refinement. It still needs to be fun to drive but that’s perhaps not top priority anymore. What I do like when I change cars is to get something newer than my current one as it feels more like a step up and this leads me to the potential problem.
In the past I’ve tried to limit my budget to around 10k. Obviously 15k is now the new 10k so I’ll have to suck it up and pay more when the time comes. But browsing AT I have noticed something about pricing of cars when they move from one generation to another. Take my ST3 for example, a 2017 mk7 can be had for 11k but you’ll need 17k for a 2018 mk8. I understand the newer car will cost more but it seems out of proportion. The same thing happens with most other makes, particularly with ones I’m considering.
2016 Megane RS275 Nav with cup chassis 15k
2018 Megane RS280 over 20k
2016 Golf gti with pp around 16k
2017 Golf gti performance (245bhp) over 20k
I really like the i30N but an early one from 2018 is again over 20k. I know there’s no previous car to compare this with.
So it seems that if I want something newer than 2017 I’m now well over budget. It’s not a complete no no but I do wonder if it’s really worth it. I’d guess that the price hike has something to do with technology and things like improvements in infotainment and the like. Not sure if all that bothers me much though. I like the Fiesta because I can just get in it and drive without having to select drive modes and set it all up. I don’t get things like launch control. I very rarely even turn the stereo on!
Does anyone else feel that cars have become too complicated and therefore too expensive for their own good? Or is it worth forking out for the latest versions if they’re so much better than the previous ones?
Yes, I wasn’t planning on changing just yet. At the earliest it’ll be later this year or perhaps even next year. I’ll be interested to see if the chip shortages are getting sorted by then.
It was the Golf in particular that made me think as I was looking at the latest mk7 Gti with performance pack compared to the Mk7.5 performance model. Huge difference despite them seeming to be very similar cars.
I suppose it makes sense that people who usually buy brand new but can’t will go for the latest generation used meaning that the gap has increased between these cars and the previous models. I wonder if that will change over the next year. If not I may need to look for something slightly older as I don’t think I could justify the increased cost.
It was the Golf in particular that made me think as I was looking at the latest mk7 Gti with performance pack compared to the Mk7.5 performance model. Huge difference despite them seeming to be very similar cars.
I suppose it makes sense that people who usually buy brand new but can’t will go for the latest generation used meaning that the gap has increased between these cars and the previous models. I wonder if that will change over the next year. If not I may need to look for something slightly older as I don’t think I could justify the increased cost.
samoht said:
I think your sensible options are (a) if you want something bigger and more comfortable, get something of similar age to your Fiesta or slightly older or (b) stick with the Fiesta. There's not that much to fear with a 5 year old car I don't think, as long as you find a good one.
Option b for now but ultimately when the time comes I think you’re probably correct with option a.It does rule out some cars I really like sadly. I’ve followed prices of the i30N since they came out. Pre pandemic they were starting to drop below 20k but now you’d struggle to get a 2018 model for that. Then there’s the FK8 type r which is another favourite but they’re closer to 30k so no chance.
I’ve never owned anything by Renaultsport or anything VAG though so they’re certainly on the radar. Not sure if the old RS Megane is more comfortable than the Fiesta especially with cup chassis. I have noticed that the later ones come with 18 inch wheels which may help.
It’s not so much the price difference between my car and something bigger, that’s to be expected. It’s more the difference between a 2016 hot hatch and an equivalent 2018 car like the examples above.
Thanks for the list ZX,
Nothing is out of the question really and all of those cars I’ve looked at. I think I’d enjoy driving the Vauxhall, but I’m not particularly excited by owning one. Also 5 doors would probably work best which of course also rules out the Megane but it’s not a complete deal breaker. The Infiniti is perhaps too slow and also gets a bit more towards luxury and away from sporty than I’d like.
The 308 is a car that I do very much like. Sounds strange but I struggle to get past the issue with the Alcon brakes. All my cars over the past few years have needed new brakes soon after I’ve bought them. The Fiesta had new front discs and pads for just under 200 quid. The 308 is said to be more like 2k by the time you’ve had the callipers refurbed which apparently they will all need. I can imagine many owners moving them on when this is close to needing done which feels a bit risky. Other than that they do look good cars.
Thanks for the list ZX,
Nothing is out of the question really and all of those cars I’ve looked at. I think I’d enjoy driving the Vauxhall, but I’m not particularly excited by owning one. Also 5 doors would probably work best which of course also rules out the Megane but it’s not a complete deal breaker. The Infiniti is perhaps too slow and also gets a bit more towards luxury and away from sporty than I’d like.
The 308 is a car that I do very much like. Sounds strange but I struggle to get past the issue with the Alcon brakes. All my cars over the past few years have needed new brakes soon after I’ve bought them. The Fiesta had new front discs and pads for just under 200 quid. The 308 is said to be more like 2k by the time you’ve had the callipers refurbed which apparently they will all need. I can imagine many owners moving them on when this is close to needing done which feels a bit risky. Other than that they do look good cars.
Okay thanks,
The Peugeot is definitely one to consider. I’ve watched and read several reviews and it appears to be highly rated. All the ones from 2018 seemed to be branded puretech 260 so I’m not sure what differences were made. A nice 2017 270 seems to be about 17k at the moment so given another 12 months would hopefully come down closer to budget.
The Peugeot is definitely one to consider. I’ve watched and read several reviews and it appears to be highly rated. All the ones from 2018 seemed to be branded puretech 260 so I’m not sure what differences were made. A nice 2017 270 seems to be about 17k at the moment so given another 12 months would hopefully come down closer to budget.
Just read Evo group test between the Golf Gti performance, i30n and 308 gti 270. Very interesting.
All very good yet different cars. They actually place the Golf last as although it's the most refined and sophisticated it's less engaging than the others. Hyundai wins as a proper performance car but they do comment on it's weight which I've heard before. The light weight Pug sounds right up my street and as its still the best value used I'll definitely be test driving one.
All very good yet different cars. They actually place the Golf last as although it's the most refined and sophisticated it's less engaging than the others. Hyundai wins as a proper performance car but they do comment on it's weight which I've heard before. The light weight Pug sounds right up my street and as its still the best value used I'll definitely be test driving one.
Hmm priorities...
At the moment we use my wife's Hyundai mpv for family journeys and holidays. It's very dependable but as you can imagine slow and dull to drive. I use my ST3 for work mid week and cover very few miles. We do all fit in the Fiesta but it's a hassle being 3dr and the fidgety ride would be a pain on long journeys so we just don't bother. In some ways this works well as it keeps my costs and mileage down but on the other hand I'm not getting much use out of the nicer car.
If we keep this set up a Megane could work. I do like them but as you say it'll be a fair bit older than the Ford and I'm not sure it offers much better, just a different make. I could also go down the GT86 route as that would do the very occasional journey with 3 of us and be a different experience to the ST.
Going 5dr means we would use my car more. A bigger hatch with more settled ride could be used for a week away and longer journeys to visit my dad (110 miles) which we will be doing more as he gets older. This way I get to spend more time driving something I enjoy. When we use my wife's car I drive 99% of the time anyway.
So I guess 5dr practicality is high on the list. Newer and lower miles would be preferable in terms of reliability if using it more too.
At the moment we use my wife's Hyundai mpv for family journeys and holidays. It's very dependable but as you can imagine slow and dull to drive. I use my ST3 for work mid week and cover very few miles. We do all fit in the Fiesta but it's a hassle being 3dr and the fidgety ride would be a pain on long journeys so we just don't bother. In some ways this works well as it keeps my costs and mileage down but on the other hand I'm not getting much use out of the nicer car.
If we keep this set up a Megane could work. I do like them but as you say it'll be a fair bit older than the Ford and I'm not sure it offers much better, just a different make. I could also go down the GT86 route as that would do the very occasional journey with 3 of us and be a different experience to the ST.
Going 5dr means we would use my car more. A bigger hatch with more settled ride could be used for a week away and longer journeys to visit my dad (110 miles) which we will be doing more as he gets older. This way I get to spend more time driving something I enjoy. When we use my wife's car I drive 99% of the time anyway.
So I guess 5dr practicality is high on the list. Newer and lower miles would be preferable in terms of reliability if using it more too.
That would be my ideal really.
Unfortunately my wife has zero interest in cars. She likes to buy them brand new and keep until they break down. The Hyundai was ex demo and cost just over 10k back in 2016. I have pointed out to her that an equivalent car now would be double the price. She also favours easy to drive, high driving position, likes SUVs obviously. If she was a car person it’d work well for her to have the fiesta but she wouldn’t want it. I’d say she would be better off in a 5dr city car like a picanto next time which she’ll be able to afford nearly new.
Unfortunately my wife has zero interest in cars. She likes to buy them brand new and keep until they break down. The Hyundai was ex demo and cost just over 10k back in 2016. I have pointed out to her that an equivalent car now would be double the price. She also favours easy to drive, high driving position, likes SUVs obviously. If she was a car person it’d work well for her to have the fiesta but she wouldn’t want it. I’d say she would be better off in a 5dr city car like a picanto next time which she’ll be able to afford nearly new.
Yes it does look a good option. Weird pricing looking at examples on AT. A couple of 2015/16 cars under 12k and seemingly the same for 15k plus. I do notice a few are sat around 40-50k miles and one even shows an advisory on brake discs on the paperwork so caution necessary.
The other obvious one I weirdly missed is the mk3 Focus ST facelift. Possibly not that exciting going from a Ford to a Ford but I do quite like them.
Plenty of time yet to be tempted by budget creep options too as technically I can afford it but am just a bit tight!!
The other obvious one I weirdly missed is the mk3 Focus ST facelift. Possibly not that exciting going from a Ford to a Ford but I do quite like them.
Plenty of time yet to be tempted by budget creep options too as technically I can afford it but am just a bit tight!!
The mk8 fiesta ST would work for me as a 5dr because it does address the issues of practicality and also ride comfort which I hear is an improvement on the mk7. I’m sure the boot is big enough for what I need too although it would require clever packing for a week away with the family.
I can appreciate why it’s a more expensive car than the mk7 but the fact is it would cost double what I’d get for my 2017 ST3 mk7 to get into a 2018 ST3 mk8 5 door which is ridiculous. Especially when a Focus ST3 and also a 308GTi are cheaper and belong to the class above.
If I was considering a Fiesta ST now and had never owned one I would be buying a mk7 and saving some cash.
Neither the Mini or the 595 work for me. I’ve looked at them as fun cars but I’d say my current car is probably better. And if I was looking at 3dr I’d just get the Megane.
I can appreciate why it’s a more expensive car than the mk7 but the fact is it would cost double what I’d get for my 2017 ST3 mk7 to get into a 2018 ST3 mk8 5 door which is ridiculous. Especially when a Focus ST3 and also a 308GTi are cheaper and belong to the class above.
If I was considering a Fiesta ST now and had never owned one I would be buying a mk7 and saving some cash.
Neither the Mini or the 595 work for me. I’ve looked at them as fun cars but I’d say my current car is probably better. And if I was looking at 3dr I’d just get the Megane.
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