Help choosing a car £20k budget

[tim39d]

I only passed my test 2 years ago as in my late 30s. I bought a cheap 2007 Mercedes B class with 55k on the clock for £3400 as my first car. The current car has a new battery and tyres and is running ok except the air con is not great in summer (even after regas) and in winter the moisture inside on the windscreen is annoying to have to deal with, probably door seals need replacing. Anyway the plan is to buy a new car but I tend to over think purchases and don't know what to buy. I have only ever drove my current car and the cars I drove in the driving lessons. I have narrowed it down to a few cars.

Hyundai Kona mild Hybrid 2020 less than 20k on clock
Jaguar XE 2018 or 2019 with less than 30k on clock
Audi Q2, Q3 or Q5
Skoda Kamiq

Bear in mind I am single and no children, so could even go with a convertible SL or E class if I wanted but I am more practical person.

I heard the Kona has a bit of a rough ride but it comes with some modern features for the price, doesn't have heated seats or windscreen though. There is also a new face lift coming out this year, which may affect resale value of a 2020 model?

Jaguar XE looks good on paper but I am concerned about space (i am 6 foot 2") and visibility. Although that wins in coolness.

Audi Q2, definitely a good option and I have read it is a smooth drive but they can be expensive to maintain?

Skoda Kamiq if you get one with good extras like heated windscreen and adaptive cruise control, could be good resale value after 3 years but as a single guy, is it the wrong choice?

Any other suggestions would be welcome or if you think I am over thinking it let me know.

[tim39d]

I think the problem is that I don't know what to expect as I am basically like a 20 year old driver in terms of experience. I can only go off from what I read or seen on youtube. I am not too concerned about normal running costs, but more cost of having to do services and replace expensive items. My one work colleague bought a BMW convertible second hand, not sure on model as refused to tell me, he regretted it as he bought second hand and had to spend £4k to get issues fixed apparently. Now he leases a Kia Sportage and claims he wouldn't go back to buying a second hand german made car, like Audi, Merc, BMW etc.

i've had to replace battery, wipers, two tyres, aircon regas and £300 service on my Merc B class in first 12 months but that is a 15 year old car.

I understand that all cars need servicing so not realy my concern. I think issue is around not knowing what make model to buy.

I don't drive to work either, as WFH at moment, so don't do a lot of miles. I just want a comfortable car with good visibility, that has new features so in summer and winter driving is more comfortable. If I can spend less I would as I like to keep costs down as trying to save to invest instead.

[tim39d]

I do have the pingi car dehumidifier that I put in, it helped a bit but still was soaking wet inside the windscreen at times. Had to use a kitchen roll tissue and eventually kept a kitchen towel in the car. It takes like a good 5 minutes for the heater to get started and usually by the time I am back from the shop it is getting warm. Are modern cars the same?

[tim39d]

I think I will go with the XE, just looking for the right one now. The BMW 4 series doesn't have android auto support until 2021 and they are too expensive at 2021, is a nice car though.

[tim39d]

I went to sit in Jaguar and land rover cars. I sat in an XE and put the seat back all the way and the steering wheel to the highest and my knees were hitting the steering wheel when breaking. I just didn't find that comfortable. I also sat in an F-pace and F type and a land rover evoque. I think I am going to go with Hyundai kona. I did a test drive and it was very comfortable. You probably think I am a dumb but I think I just put comfort before looks.

[tim39d]

LightningBlue said:

I’ve never experienced this or even heard of anyone else having that problem, are you sure you’re setting the wheel and seat positions correctly?
If you like Jaguar how about trying an XF, XJ or XK instead? Might be a bit bigger.
The Kona might be worthy but it’s a family car and pointless in your position. I’ve bought too many sensible cars and wished I’d been more adventurous. While affordable interesting cars are disappearing and you’re in a position to buy something more fun it would be a waste not to

I didn't buy the Kona yet, still looking. I might go back to Jaguar and ask for a test drive and help adjusting the seats. It might be that I sit a bit too low and need to sit up someone was telling me.

The other one I want to take a look at is the Audi Q2 2017+