Dazed & Confused...but in a rush! Please help

[DiscoStu82]

Evening all,
I have been pointed in the direction of this forum by a satisfied recent poster, so hopefully someone can help.

Brief overview:

• Bought, on PCP, an Audi A6 Avant at the end of September.
• Smashed it up (write-off) about a month ago.
• Insurance have paid off the finance fully, leaving me with £1600 left to start the process of getting a new car.
• Obviously need a car ASAP as my wife and I are currently sharing her Fiat 500 (not ideal as I’m 6ft6” tall!)

So, my questions, if someone would be kind enough to advise...

1) Like I said my finance is paid off (or will be within the week) therefore, in terms of me getting another finance deal, is it likely I would be accepted? I appreciate that’s a tough question (not knowing my circumstances) but maybe someone has some insight that I don’t...?
2) I only have £1600 to use as a deposit. Therefore am I right to assume that leasing would be a better option? I’ve never done it before.
3) Where are the best places to look? I’ve tentatively had a look online but there seems to be 100’s of sites and it’s confusing the life out of me. Is there a site that typically is great value etc.?
4) A part of leasing is calculating annual mileage. It’s a real long story but I’m not sure of the location of my work. It will either be 30 miles away or 50 - in which case it’s hard to judge for me and I hear you get stung if you go over the agreed mileage.
5) I will be credit checked “as and when” I apply to lease a car. Will my credit score improve based on the fact that the finance on my “totalled” car has just been paid off? The reason I ask is I’m paranoid that I will get knocked back...but if my credit report is “without” the finance deal for my Audi I’m more likely to get accepted. (I hope that makes sense...?)

I have £1600 (maybe a touch more?) as a deposit/down payment. I need a big car - I’m not too precious about the type or spec but it needs to be as big or, ideally, bigger than the Audi A6 I had. Any recommendations?

Like I said I’m really confused but also anxious to get this sorted ASAP.

ANY HELP WOULD BE HUGELY APPRECIATED 😥

[ZX10R NIN]

How much personal mileage do you do because you're already at 12.5k (assuming you have at least 2 weeks off) also how much are you willing to pay per month? Do you want a maintenance package?

As an example you can get an 1.6d Insignia Grand Sport SRI

Mileage limit 17500 Per Annum £1752.00 down £260.00 per month inc V.A.T

Price OTR
£22,450
0-62 mph
9.9 Seconds
Transmission
Manual
Fuel Type
Diesel
Fuel Economy
60.1 MPG
CO2
124 g/km
Park Sensors
Bluetooth
Alloys 17"
Metallic Paint
Climate Control
DAB

[DiscoStu82]

Thanks so much for the reply mate.
I’m a teacher (for my sins) so I have a fair few weeks off (10+).
That pricing seems perfect, my only concern is whether it’s big enough. I’ve compared it to my A6 Avant and I don’t think it’s as big? Leg room in the back and boot space is important.

But your reply is exactly what I need - thank you. Finally a direct answer rather than trying to de siphere Google...

[akadk]

Looks like you can get a Skoda Superb for £279 a month with £279 deposit

That’s the biggest car you can get

https://www.arnoldclark.com/new-cars/skoda/superb

[DiscoStu82]

Thanks for your reply - I would of replied yesterday but it wasn’t letting me. Is that Skoda an estate?

Does anyone have any opinions on the Jeep Compass? Found a good looking deal...

[Jamescrs]

DiscoStu82 said:

Thanks so much for the reply mate.
I’m a teacher (for my sins) so I have a fair few weeks off (10+).
That pricing seems perfect, my only concern is whether it’s big enough. I’ve compared it to my A6 Avant and I don’t think it’s as big? Leg room in the back and boot space is important.

But your reply is exactly what I need - thank you. Finally a direct answer rather than trying to de siphere Google...

I'm 6ft4 and we reguarly use Insignias at work, leg room in the back isn't bad for me but on the Hatchback version head space is suprisingly an issue due to the way the roof comes down towards the rear, I would say if your going for an Insignia go for an estate.

A skoda superb is fantastic for rear leg room,probably comparable to the A6, no idea on the finance figures on one though

[ilikejam]

DiscoStu82 said:

Thanks for your reply - I would of replied yesterday but it wasn’t letting me. Is that Skoda an estate?

Does anyone have any opinions on the Jeep Compass? Found a good looking deal...

Whatever anyone thinks of the car, under absolutely no circumstances should you sign up to a 5 year lease. In that example you'd be paying £18,838 then handing the car back. The list price is £25k, but you could probably get one for nearer £20k via CarWow or similar. Madness.

Lease for 2 years ideally, 3 years max (depending on the deal). Have a look at leasing.com and the lease thread on here for the best deals and "buy the deal, not the car".

[DiscoStu82]

Thanks buddy - some sound advice.
I went on Leasing.com and found this - your thoughts...?
Really appreciate your time - thanks again

[ZX10R NIN]

The new Grand Insignias are huge they also come in touring form which was an extra £12 per month.

Here's a review on one:

https://youtu.be/ida3yGSrIak

[ilikejam]

I don't think you've said what your mileage and monthly budget is likely to be, but have a look at the Volvo V90. They seem to still be decent value, although they have been quite a lot cheaper in the last few months. Might be worth digging around for better than this:

https://leasing.com/main-dealers/helston-garages-v...


Bear in mind the terms of any deal that you find can usually be re-jigged as well, so focus on the total cost of the lease. You can then phone them up and ask to split it any way you please i.e. change the initial rental to 3+, 6+, 9+, random lump sum and they'll adjust the monthlies to suit.

[rallycross]

You could just take your £1600 and buy a clean tidy older Volvo, V70 estate or S60 saloon D5 model,
£1500 will get you a decent example with plenty of life in it and nice to sit in/good to drive.

something like this (just as an example but plenty to chose from on ebay).

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I bought a 2005 S60 2 years ago for £1300, with 150k miles, have been using it to go up and down the country, now on 165,000 miles has never let me down and still worth what I paid for it today.

[DiscoStu82]

Thank you so much for all the replies. I took the Mrs’s Fiat 500 in for a service today and they are suggesting I get a Jeep Compass on PCP instead of PCH as they think it’s the better option and they are offering me a hefty deposit contribution.
The fact that I only have £1600 A’s a deposit means that this might be the best deal...? Because I am a valued customer they are offering me £3900 deposit contribution (to add to my £1600) and then it’s £407 p/m thereafter for 48 months...

Any thoughts?

Thanks again everyone

[Ahbefive]

£21k to rent a car for 4years? You could get a loan of half that and buy a decent car that you would actually own.

Whats the balloon payment?

[DiscoStu82]

No buddy that’s PCP. Sorry didn’t explain properly...

[rallycross]

DiscoStu82 said:

Thank you so much for all the replies. I took the Mrs’s Fiat 500 in for a service today and they are suggesting I get a Jeep Compass on PCP instead of PCH as they think it’s the better option and they are offering me a hefty deposit contribution.
The fact that I only have £1600 A’s a deposit means that this might be the best deal...? Because I am a valued customer they are offering me £3900 deposit contribution (to add to my £1600) and then it’s £407 p/m thereafter for 48 months...

Any thoughts?

Thanks again everyone

does not sounds like a good deal at all, OK the deposit contribution is the good point, and there is a reason why they are so keen to offer you that. I've not driven one of these yet but would not expect very much from it, keep looking!

[DiscoStu82]

I hear you but I’m concerned that for £1600 as a deposit I’m not going to get a better deal - regardless of whether it’s PCP or PCH.
The problem with PCH is that at the end of the term I won’t have a deposit to get my next car...

So confused

[rallycross]

Maybe you have your reasons but is this really how people buy cars these days?

example

I've only got £1500 so I am going to sign myself up to four years payments (£20k plus) to get into a car that I don't really want and wont own or have any equity in it at the end of 4 yrs.

Where is the logic in doing that?

[DiscoStu82]

So what are my other options?
Would I not have the Jeep to part-ex at some stage when I need to change...?

Bottom line is the following:

• I have £1500 to play with
• I need a biggish car (Bigger than an A6 Avant)
• I presume PCP is a better option than leasing as at the end of the deal I have something to part-ex. (If I’m wrong about that please let me know)

[Ahbefive]

DiscoStu82 said:

No buddy that’s PCP. Sorry didn’t explain properly...

So yes you are effectively renting unless you are going to pay the balloon payment at the end.

[DiscoStu82]

Ahhh got ya - sorry I’m not brilliant with all this.
The balloon payment is £10.199 - is that not great?