Too many choices - analysis paralysis!!
Discussion
gman88667733 said:
I think your best bet is to go to a car supermarket and sit in as many cars that take your fancy as possible. You may find something completely unexpected that you like.
A budget between £5k and potentially £20k there are far too many cars to suggest particular ones really.
You may sit in a cheaper car and love it and save yourself A LOT of cash.
Then again, you may try something that £20k and fall in love with it.
Yeah, I agree with that. It's not a simple case of a like for like replacement, I've got some many different options of what to do going on in my head that it's making it difficult to make a choice. A budget between £5k and potentially £20k there are far too many cars to suggest particular ones really.
You may sit in a cheaper car and love it and save yourself A LOT of cash.
Then again, you may try something that £20k and fall in love with it.
makmanuk said:
Yeah, I agree with that. It's not a simple case of a like for like replacement, I've got some many different options of what to do going on in my head that it's making it difficult to make a choice.
I'm always the same, I bounce from one option to the next constantly. Definitely go and see as many as you can before deciding. Good luck!makmanuk said:
Hey everyone.
We have been a 2 car family for some time, an Smax as the family car and a Lexus IS250 for me as a commuter car.
We bought the Smax when my 4th kids was born 10 years ago an it has run fabulously until the weekend when it gave the ghost and died on us. This now has us thinking about how to replace it.
As a 7 seater it was now no good to us. My kids range from 21 to 10yo and the 3 eldest are all pushing 6ft and the youngest is pretty tall, getting into the back of the Smax was no fun for him. The Smax was also my wife's car, used for the school run, shopping run etc. Our thinking is that another 7 seater is no good as no one wants to do the long holiday drives like that (camping etc) and we have to accept that we will now be taking 2 cars with us on the journeys when it's all of us.
The IS250 hardly gets used now since Covid and WFH. I have changed our business set up so almost everyone works remotely, I only have to pop to the office (15mile trip) weekly to get the post and occasionally into London for site visits.
My thought process is as follows (budget £10-15K):
1. Use the Lexus as the daily runaround and get a lowish cost petrol estate as the family/tip/luggage car, something like a Volvo V70 or a Skoda Superb.
2. Leave the Lexus as the back up car and get a petrol hybrid (self charge or plug in) as the daily run around and family car for longer trips. However, it needs to be something of a decent size and the only thing that seems to fit the bill is a Misubishi Outlander. A Toyota Corolla or a Hyundai Ionic would probably be prefect if they were a bit larger.
The aim is to keep tax and insurance relatively low if possible. I'd rather not have something ancient, although I don't need the latest modcons, bluetooth for phone and audio would be nice, though I'm happy to plug a 3rd party bluetooth audio kit into an aux port.
Thanks all in advance for any help!
OK, so 2 years ago this is the situation I was in. I struggled for a while to find a car at the right price we were happy with and at the time, deep into Covid, everything seemed too expensive so I gave up and ended up driving the company Toyota Proace Crew Cab around which doubled up as the family car for any longer trips.We have been a 2 car family for some time, an Smax as the family car and a Lexus IS250 for me as a commuter car.
We bought the Smax when my 4th kids was born 10 years ago an it has run fabulously until the weekend when it gave the ghost and died on us. This now has us thinking about how to replace it.
As a 7 seater it was now no good to us. My kids range from 21 to 10yo and the 3 eldest are all pushing 6ft and the youngest is pretty tall, getting into the back of the Smax was no fun for him. The Smax was also my wife's car, used for the school run, shopping run etc. Our thinking is that another 7 seater is no good as no one wants to do the long holiday drives like that (camping etc) and we have to accept that we will now be taking 2 cars with us on the journeys when it's all of us.
The IS250 hardly gets used now since Covid and WFH. I have changed our business set up so almost everyone works remotely, I only have to pop to the office (15mile trip) weekly to get the post and occasionally into London for site visits.
My thought process is as follows (budget £10-15K):
1. Use the Lexus as the daily runaround and get a lowish cost petrol estate as the family/tip/luggage car, something like a Volvo V70 or a Skoda Superb.
2. Leave the Lexus as the back up car and get a petrol hybrid (self charge or plug in) as the daily run around and family car for longer trips. However, it needs to be something of a decent size and the only thing that seems to fit the bill is a Misubishi Outlander. A Toyota Corolla or a Hyundai Ionic would probably be prefect if they were a bit larger.
The aim is to keep tax and insurance relatively low if possible. I'd rather not have something ancient, although I don't need the latest modcons, bluetooth for phone and audio would be nice, though I'm happy to plug a 3rd party bluetooth audio kit into an aux port.
Thanks all in advance for any help!
2 years on and the wife and kids are sick and tired of being ferried around in a van, though I'm ok with it, it gets me from A to B. So now I need to look at new cars again, and petrol estates for me to drive around while the OH uses the IS250 seem to be thin on the ground so I'm approaching this from another angle and am looking at SUVs the OH can drive and I'll take the IS back.
The budget is still around the £10k mark with a bit of flexibility.
Shortlist:
Lexus RX450H - £10-12K for something around the 100,000 mile mark. 2010 - 2011 models. My worry is the hybrid system giving up after a few years. My dad has one, it's a lovely car, my wife would be very happy in it.
Honda CR-V 2012 Model - £8-9K - 50,000 miles. Would want to get the EX version with the leather interior. I like the look of it but at that age am I better off with the Lexus even with the extra miles. It's a long term investment, it'll be kept until it gives up.
Honda CR-V 2015 Facelift Model - £12-14k - 60,000 miles. A much newer car, apparently nicer after the facelift but obviously a lot more money. Is the extra £3-4K worth it over the previous version?
All of these would be petrol version and I have heard the Honda petrol is not a great engine. Usage over the last couple of years by my wife has been around 14000miles, a lot of it around town and school run and a weekly/twice weekly 20mile drive on M25/A40.
ULEZ is important especially as that weekend drive will end up in the expanded zone.
So, where should I concentrate my attention?
Summit_Detailing said:
Definitely the Lexus out of your list, It's top of our list for my partners next car after she's enjoyed a convertible for the summer.
I believe Lexus will warranty the battery for a small sum every year if it is a concern.
Cheers,
Chris
I'll make some enquiries with Lexus regarding the battery, my wife is definitely sold on the Lexus.I believe Lexus will warranty the battery for a small sum every year if it is a concern.
Cheers,
Chris
NortonES2 said:
Definitely check out the latest insignia, you will probably be surprised by the rear leg room.
I did check one out a couple of years ago and really liked it, the problem is finding one. A post 2018 search for a petrol estate Insignia returns 1 result 160miles away! And it's done 90,000 odd miles so it's not like I have lots of choice. With the Lexus and CR-V there are plenty to choose from.makmanuk said:
OK, so 2 years ago this is the situation I was in. I struggled for a while to find a car at the right price we were happy with and at the time, deep into Covid, everything seemed too expensive so I gave up and ended up driving the company Toyota Proace Crew Cab around which doubled up as the family car for any longer trips.
2 years on and the wife and kids are sick and tired of being ferried around in a van, though I'm ok with it, it gets me from A to B. So now I need to look at new cars again, and petrol estates for me to drive around while the OH uses the IS250 seem to be thin on the ground so I'm approaching this from another angle and am looking at SUVs the OH can drive and I'll take the IS back.
The budget is still around the £10k mark with a bit of flexibility.
Shortlist:
Lexus RX450H - £10-12K for something around the 100,000 mile mark. 2010 - 2011 models. My worry is the hybrid system giving up after a few years. My dad has one, it's a lovely car, my wife would be very happy in it.
Honda CR-V 2012 Model - £8-9K - 50,000 miles. Would want to get the EX version with the leather interior. I like the look of it but at that age am I better off with the Lexus even with the extra miles. It's a long term investment, it'll be kept until it gives up.
Honda CR-V 2015 Facelift Model - £12-14k - 60,000 miles. A much newer car, apparently nicer after the facelift but obviously a lot more money. Is the extra £3-4K worth it over the previous version?
All of these would be petrol version and I have heard the Honda petrol is not a great engine. Usage over the last couple of years by my wife has been around 14000miles, a lot of it around town and school run and a weekly/twice weekly 20mile drive on M25/A40.
ULEZ is important especially as that weekend drive will end up in the expanded zone.
So, where should I concentrate my attention?
At 14k a year I'd say that you may well be good with a diesel.2 years on and the wife and kids are sick and tired of being ferried around in a van, though I'm ok with it, it gets me from A to B. So now I need to look at new cars again, and petrol estates for me to drive around while the OH uses the IS250 seem to be thin on the ground so I'm approaching this from another angle and am looking at SUVs the OH can drive and I'll take the IS back.
The budget is still around the £10k mark with a bit of flexibility.
Shortlist:
Lexus RX450H - £10-12K for something around the 100,000 mile mark. 2010 - 2011 models. My worry is the hybrid system giving up after a few years. My dad has one, it's a lovely car, my wife would be very happy in it.
Honda CR-V 2012 Model - £8-9K - 50,000 miles. Would want to get the EX version with the leather interior. I like the look of it but at that age am I better off with the Lexus even with the extra miles. It's a long term investment, it'll be kept until it gives up.
Honda CR-V 2015 Facelift Model - £12-14k - 60,000 miles. A much newer car, apparently nicer after the facelift but obviously a lot more money. Is the extra £3-4K worth it over the previous version?
All of these would be petrol version and I have heard the Honda petrol is not a great engine. Usage over the last couple of years by my wife has been around 14000miles, a lot of it around town and school run and a weekly/twice weekly 20mile drive on M25/A40.
ULEZ is important especially as that weekend drive will end up in the expanded zone.
So, where should I concentrate my attention?
The Infiniti EX/QX50 30d is both ULEZ compliant & a very nice place to be:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303245...
QX:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301113...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...
Otherwise if it has to be petrol then the best RX450h you can find really is the answer
ZX10R NIN said:
At 14k a year I'd say that you may well be good with a diesel.
The Infiniti EX/QX50 30d is both ULEZ compliant & a very nice place to be:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303245...
QX:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301113...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...
Otherwise if it has to be petrol then the best RX450h you can find really is the answer
I think it looks like the RX is the one. Although it’s a potential 14000 a year, there’s so many short runs I’m just a bit concerned about a diesel. The Infiniti EX/QX50 30d is both ULEZ compliant & a very nice place to be:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303245...
QX:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301113...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...
Otherwise if it has to be petrol then the best RX450h you can find really is the answer
A question now about buying: other than rust, is there anything I should be looking for? And with the rust, am I literally getting on my hands and knees and looking under the car? Any good links to YouTube videos about how to buy and what to look for when buying second hand?
smithler2023 said:
Hi I recommend a Skoda Superb. Rear leg room and the boot space are great. I have the 2.0 TSI petrol (190) which is quite quick and does 40 mpg. The diesels are brilliant on MPG if you are doing a lot of miles.
We really liked the Suberb too but I can't seem to find one at a decent price, the RX450s all seems like better value.makmanuk said:
I think it looks like the RX is the one. Although it’s a potential 14000 a year, there’s so many short runs I’m just a bit concerned about a diesel.
A question now about buying: other than rust, is there anything I should be looking for? And with the rust, am I literally getting on my hands and knees and looking under the car? Any good links to YouTube videos about how to buy and what to look for when buying second hand?
Nope just the possible rust & yes I'd be getting down to have a good look but most will be fine.A question now about buying: other than rust, is there anything I should be looking for? And with the rust, am I literally getting on my hands and knees and looking under the car? Any good links to YouTube videos about how to buy and what to look for when buying second hand?
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