The Girlfriend needs a new car...
Discussion
We're in the process of purchasing our first home, so nothing will happen until around October where her PCP term is up for her GT86.
If/when she gives the car back, she'll have around £5,000 of equity left to go towards her next car.
I've managed to explain to her some of the negative aspects of finance and she has agreed on a £15,000 budget for the next car (she was originally looking at £20-30,000 cars.
Because I already have an impractical car, we are in agreement that her next car needs to be more sensible and practical - small, easy to park, good for shopping trips and practical. 35mpg+ is preferred but not essential, though I imagine that won't be hard to get. She averages 37mpg in her GT86.
We're trying to get something in or just out of warranty and it needs to be fun to drive, cheap to run, and whilst not outright 'fast', it needs at least a bit of oomph. She'd like a nice interior too - nice doesn't necessarily premium and luxurious, it could mean sporty too - as long as it looks nice. She'd also like a decent infotainment system, which seems to be the more difficult part of the criteria to tick. Apple Car play is a bonus.
FWD or AWD, nothing RWD as the GT86 has scared her a few times in the wet.
So far, we both like the looks of the Swift Sport with the 1.4 Turbo engine. Roughly 150bhp and 170ib-ft is quite appealing for a shopping trolley. She had the original Swift Sport many years ago and absolutely loved it. The interior of the new one looks pretty nice, the screen definitely looks nice enough and it does seem to tick all the boxes. It's also well under budget too.
We've also considered a Cooper S which seems to be the only hot hatch in the budget that has a decent interior.
Fiesta ST is a no go.
I feel like there should be a good selection to choose from... But apart from these two, I can't think of any other suitable cars?
Any suggestions, PH?
If/when she gives the car back, she'll have around £5,000 of equity left to go towards her next car.
I've managed to explain to her some of the negative aspects of finance and she has agreed on a £15,000 budget for the next car (she was originally looking at £20-30,000 cars.
Because I already have an impractical car, we are in agreement that her next car needs to be more sensible and practical - small, easy to park, good for shopping trips and practical. 35mpg+ is preferred but not essential, though I imagine that won't be hard to get. She averages 37mpg in her GT86.
We're trying to get something in or just out of warranty and it needs to be fun to drive, cheap to run, and whilst not outright 'fast', it needs at least a bit of oomph. She'd like a nice interior too - nice doesn't necessarily premium and luxurious, it could mean sporty too - as long as it looks nice. She'd also like a decent infotainment system, which seems to be the more difficult part of the criteria to tick. Apple Car play is a bonus.
FWD or AWD, nothing RWD as the GT86 has scared her a few times in the wet.
So far, we both like the looks of the Swift Sport with the 1.4 Turbo engine. Roughly 150bhp and 170ib-ft is quite appealing for a shopping trolley. She had the original Swift Sport many years ago and absolutely loved it. The interior of the new one looks pretty nice, the screen definitely looks nice enough and it does seem to tick all the boxes. It's also well under budget too.
We've also considered a Cooper S which seems to be the only hot hatch in the budget that has a decent interior.
Fiesta ST is a no go.
I feel like there should be a good selection to choose from... But apart from these two, I can't think of any other suitable cars?
Any suggestions, PH?
Megane RS - Interior is a bit rubbish.
A250 (Premium Pack) Might just be out of budget. I loved mine.
Seems not https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A250 (Premium Pack) Might just be out of budget. I loved mine.
Seems not https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Polo GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
or Golf GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A1 (seems expensive)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Ibiza
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A Class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
1 Series
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
or Golf GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A1 (seems expensive)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Ibiza
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
A Class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
1 Series
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Appreciate all the responses!
Megane RS would be nice but I think it's a bit big really. The smaller the better. I love the UP GTI but sadly she can't stand it!
The Mercedes is definitely not for us, they have the absolute worst interiors of any car on the road to my eyes. I don't think there is anything likeable about the car.
The Polo GTI appeals to me and would probably be the direction I'd go in, but I am not sure if she'll like it. We'll have to get her a test drive.
The 1 series and A3 are a little boring but are worth a look at the very least.
Something quite important which I didn't mention, as it is very much a compromise car for her, I'd (if possible) like it to be low mileage - under 20k where I can. She does about 15k a year and will probably keep it for 3 years.
We have had this discussion and whilst I personally would be going down this route, she doesn't want to and wants something a bit newer and nicer, something that she isn't worried will let her down and has a decent infotainment system to keep her happy.
Though going for something around the 15k mark means that in 3 or so years, she'll be out of the finance loop - which is my aim.
Megane RS would be nice but I think it's a bit big really. The smaller the better. I love the UP GTI but sadly she can't stand it!
The Mercedes is definitely not for us, they have the absolute worst interiors of any car on the road to my eyes. I don't think there is anything likeable about the car.
The Polo GTI appeals to me and would probably be the direction I'd go in, but I am not sure if she'll like it. We'll have to get her a test drive.
The 1 series and A3 are a little boring but are worth a look at the very least.
Something quite important which I didn't mention, as it is very much a compromise car for her, I'd (if possible) like it to be low mileage - under 20k where I can. She does about 15k a year and will probably keep it for 3 years.
V1nce Fox said:
If you're buying a first home, have you discussed just using the 5k vehicle equity to buy something outright?
Our mortgage has been approved (well, is going through now) on the basis of continuing to finance a car at roughly £220 per month; with this and our other expenses we'll still have plenty left over each month so finance isn't much of a concern. We have had this discussion and whilst I personally would be going down this route, she doesn't want to and wants something a bit newer and nicer, something that she isn't worried will let her down and has a decent infotainment system to keep her happy.
Though going for something around the 15k mark means that in 3 or so years, she'll be out of the finance loop - which is my aim.
TREMAiNE said:
Our mortgage has been approved (well, is going through now) on the basis of continuing to finance a car at roughly £220 per month; with this and our other expenses we'll still have plenty left over each month so finance isn't much of a concern.
We have had this discussion and whilst I personally would be going down this route, she doesn't want to and wants something a bit newer and nicer, something that she isn't worried will let her down and has a decent infotainment system to keep her happy.
Though going for something around the 15k mark means that in 3 or so years, she'll be out of the finance loop - which is my aim.
Hey whatever works for you guys. Good luck with the home We have had this discussion and whilst I personally would be going down this route, she doesn't want to and wants something a bit newer and nicer, something that she isn't worried will let her down and has a decent infotainment system to keep her happy.
Though going for something around the 15k mark means that in 3 or so years, she'll be out of the finance loop - which is my aim.
I would’ve said a mk8 fiesta st would tick pretty much all your boxes. What is it that’s ruling them out?
Otherwise a cooper s should work, interior is nice enough.
Oh and there’s also the 208 Gti by PS? You’d get one a year old for that money.
Otherwise a cooper s should work, interior is nice enough.
Oh and there’s also the 208 Gti by PS? You’d get one a year old for that money.
Edited by ChrisH72 on Tuesday 7th July 12:32
You do realise the Megane is pretty much the same size as an A3/308//1 series/Focus.
If you could live with the cars above size I'd have suggested the VXR GTC they're a very good car & underrated car that's also great value at the moment:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
With that size of car off the cards then I'd say either a Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport it's just a smidge behind the Fiesta ST in terms of fun but it does a have a nicer interior.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or the GTI Prestige
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or the Clio RS Trophy these are overlooked due to them not being manual but I really think you should test drive one as I have personally found them a properly fun steer the Trophy update made them much improved:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
If you could live with the cars above size I'd have suggested the VXR GTC they're a very good car & underrated car that's also great value at the moment:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
With that size of car off the cards then I'd say either a Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport it's just a smidge behind the Fiesta ST in terms of fun but it does a have a nicer interior.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or the GTI Prestige
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or the Clio RS Trophy these are overlooked due to them not being manual but I really think you should test drive one as I have personally found them a properly fun steer the Trophy update made them much improved:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Actually, I think the swift sport you mentioned in your OP would be a good choice for her.
15k buys a practically brand new one although I'd have one a couple of years old for 11-12k instead. I bet it wouldn't feel all that slow compared to the Toyota as it has more torque. Looks good and plenty practical too. I've never been in one but the interior looks okay from pics.
Interesting thing about rwd. I've been running a BMW 325i for the last 3 years and not once has it felt dangerous in the wet. I even found it fine in snow. On a wet road I could floor it and it would grip fine and steer straight. My new car is a fiesta ST which I pick up tomorrow. Even on the test drive I could feel that you need a firm grip on the wheel under hard acceleration. I imagine it's more of a handful in the wet than the BMW.
15k buys a practically brand new one although I'd have one a couple of years old for 11-12k instead. I bet it wouldn't feel all that slow compared to the Toyota as it has more torque. Looks good and plenty practical too. I've never been in one but the interior looks okay from pics.
Interesting thing about rwd. I've been running a BMW 325i for the last 3 years and not once has it felt dangerous in the wet. I even found it fine in snow. On a wet road I could floor it and it would grip fine and steer straight. My new car is a fiesta ST which I pick up tomorrow. Even on the test drive I could feel that you need a firm grip on the wheel under hard acceleration. I imagine it's more of a handful in the wet than the BMW.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff