Help choosing a car £20k budget

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Original Poster

6 posts

13 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

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.

pb8g09

2,357 posts

70 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

If you’re concerned about running costs on an Audi Q2 then bin all the SUV options as they’ll cost more to run than their equivalent hatchback versions.

Original Poster

6 posts

13 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

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.

DD3566

81 posts

75 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

The XE would get my vote, i'm very biased having worked for JLR and spent 3 years with an XF Sportbrake and my father in law has an XE P250 Portfolio. The front seats should be fine for tall drivers, i've never had issues in either the XF or the XE's i drove at work. The back is a different story, i'm 6'3" and while I can fit it's pretty cramped. But unless you're transporting adults around long distance it should be fine. I'd avoid the 4 cylinder diesels, the 4 cylinder petrol is generally ok if nothing special. We had the P250 in our bigger XF Sportbrake and it was more than enough to keep the car entertaining. For £20k you could get yourself into an XE S with the 3.0 Supercharged drivetrain from the F Type, this would be my choice! The XE/XF share alot of parts with the F Type so an XE S is basically a 4 door F Type. Funnily enough the P300 4 cylinder XE is actually quicker to 60 than the P300 F Type, but they deliberately under report the XE's 0-60 time for this model so the Sports Car isn't losing out to the compact saloon

Easternlight

3,437 posts

145 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

pb8g09 said:

If you’re concerned about running costs on an Audi Q2 then bin all the SUV options as they’ll cost more to run than their equivalent hatchback versions.

Go on then, how did you work that out?

J1990

820 posts

54 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

Easternlight said:

pb8g09 said:

If you’re concerned about running costs on an Audi Q2 then bin all the SUV options as they’ll cost more to run than their equivalent hatchback versions.

Go on then, how did you work that out?

Well if you're taking him literally then isn't it logical that taking a car, making it less aerodynamic and heavier will make the running costs higher in regards to efficiency, tyre wear etc? It could be mitigated by lower depreciation but none of us have a crystal ball to predict that.
I'm not saying I agree with his mentality but the logic seems fair.

PistonTim

518 posts

140 months

Wednesday 19th April 2023

You can buy the reusable dehumidifier bags on Amazon etc - keep a couple in the car and they really help with moisture etc.

Original Poster

6 posts

13 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

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?

LightningBlue

530 posts

42 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

In your late 30s and single forget the crossovers and get something sleek or interesting, there’s plenty of time for practicality later in life. Do you prefer sporty driving or wafting along in comfort?

LightningBlue

530 posts

42 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

Also plenty of people buy used BMWs, Audis, Mercs and don’t have any issues. The truth is you can get stung with any makes, I’ve had problems with a Honda, VW, Volvo, Mini but all were sorted thanks to warranties or consumer rights. You’re probably best off buying through a main dealer for the most comeback if the car has any issues.

edc

9,243 posts

252 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

If you are buying a 2019 car and planing on circa 3 years to keep it I wouldn't worry about long term reliability. Broad brush but whatever you buy will be new enough that it should not need any major parts replacing barring buying a lemon.

ZX10R NIN

27,674 posts

126 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

Silenoz

864 posts

154 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

Or you could go for something more fun?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023021643...

Original Poster

6 posts

13 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

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.

CarlosSainz100

503 posts

121 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

Surely being single with no dependents now's the time to get a 2 seater performance car? You're probably never gonna have this opportunity ever again! Get yourself a Porsche Cayman...

georgeyboy12345

3,539 posts

36 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

georgeyboy12345

3,539 posts

36 months

Thursday 20th April 2023

CarlosSainz100 said:

Surely being single with no dependents now's the time to get a 2 seater performance car? You're probably never gonna have this opportunity ever again! Get yourself a Porsche Cayman...

Yeah, seriously - do this.

ajap1979

8,014 posts

188 months

Friday 21st April 2023

Isn’t an XE a bit “old man”? I wouldn’t have one and I’m a fair bit older than you.

CrippsCorner

2,834 posts

182 months

Friday 21st April 2023

Yeah if Jag is on your list, and you're single with no kids, surely something like this is what you want...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

I missed out on buying a sporty coupe before my kids came along, and now I have to wait 10-15 years to try again lol.

Original Poster

6 posts

13 months

Friday 21st April 2023

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.

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