What to replace the shed with

[covmutley]

Before lockdown I had a XE S that I rally loved, but changed jobs, sold it and bought a shed to get me through lockdown and working from home. Spending less on a car has been nice to be honest, but it was only ever temporary.

The shed has died and my new job will involve a 90 mile round trip, 90% motorway, 2 or 3 times a week, working from home the rest.

Im completely stuck with what to do. I could get a 6k focus, but that sounds very boring and I know I will be looking again in 6 months. Or I was looking at a 9-10k seat leon with the 1.4tsi engine.

Leftfield choice would be a (circa 2013) 640d for about £15k. Or possibly an A7. I think the 640d would do 40mpg on the motorway (more?), but running costs are a bit of a concern given the age, as it is starting to get at the top end of my budget.

The Mrs thinks how good a car is relates directly to the number plate and the badge on the front. Anyone got any advice, or want to give me a slap to cure this indecisiveness?!!!

[Burrow01]

Would an EV be acceptable? on a lease would be very cheap to run

[MorganP104]

Apart from half-decent fuel economy for your 90 mile daily commute, do you have any practicality considerations (dogs, kids, extreme sports with lots of kit, etc.)?

Also, what kind of money are you looking to chuck at the new car? You mention £15k at one point - is that top end, bottom end, or a comfortable level? Would you prefer to spend £5k, for instance?

[covmutley]

15k is absolute top. We have a xc60 for family duties, but with 3 kids I stiĺl need some practicality

[bobsavage789]

Performance Golf of some sort? Provides the moderate practicality you need, and due to generous levels of standard equipment, motorway driving would be very easy.

There are a few AUCs within budget, though buying elsewhere widens yours options (but also potentially the risk).

Also consider the Cupra/Seat Leon.

Neither of the above will match the drive in the Jaaaaag, but would be a sensible option and reasonable to run.

[ZX10R NIN]

308 GTI it ticks your boxes & is a fun steer, it'll also eat up the miles whilst not costing you lots & you'll get one for a smidge over 10k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

At 11k (less if you haggle) you'll get a very nice low mileage 2014 VXR another car that'll soak up the motorway miles whilst making journeys when you're own a ball:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...

Or you can get a nice E350d with sensible mileage for around 12k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101147...

Or you could get a low mileage Q50 (that'll see you right for a fair while) & spend the rest on something fun.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012116...

[covmutley]

Thanks. Had a cheeky look at a 2013 A7 and a manual 2.0tdi A4 avant, no test drive.

Thought the a4 was really nice. But the a7 is just next level!... but older, more expensive, more expensive to run..

Also had a look at the focus. It's a titanium x, which actually looks nice on outside, but is a slab of plastic inside. No doubt be 'ok'.

Hhhmmm...

[ZX10R NIN]

The A7 is a very nice car but if you're looking at that kind of car take a good look at the XJ they're a very nice car as well as good value:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102229...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101178...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...

[MrBig]

ZX10R NIN said:

308 GTI it ticks your boxes & is a fun steer, it'll also eat up the miles whilst not costing you lots & you'll get one for a smidge over 10k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

Got to be the most underrated car of the last 5 years. No-one will listen because Peugeot, but these are fapping brilliant. But unless you drive one, you won't believe it.

[Martin30]

I did similar to you OP. I changed jobs 18 months ago, and gave the company Discovery back. I bought a very leggy, £1,250 2009 E Class estate as a stop gap car, and 18 months later, I still see no point in changing it.

Yes, it is missing some nice to have modern features like music streaming over BT, but it does 99% of what the Discovery did, for 5% of the price. It has needed the same initial cost spent again on aircon compressor, suspension airbags, tyres and brakes over those 18 months but it is still great for little money.

Just my 2p. I like having the money, more than I liked having the Discovery.

Martin.

[covmutley]

Cheers all. Ive decided to go for the one in the middle- the A4 Avant.

I should get the Focus, but I know I would get bored very quickly.

The A7, will cost me more in every way and is huge.

The A4 is 2017 and done 65k miles, so done the worst of the depreciation. Should get me 60mpg or more on motorway, and the interior, whilst not as luxurious as the A7, is obviously more modern. It also seems a decent blend of screens and physical buttons. Will also take bikes and my kids football coaching gear easily.

Tell you what, having no car has put some pressure on this buying process!

[lost in espace]

Burrow01 said:

Would an EV be acceptable? on a lease would be very cheap to run

Offers around for the 40kwh Leaf £225 a month I think. No tax, cheap running costs. New car.

[mdk1]

From the readers cars section, they all seem to raving on about the Dacia Duster, pre reg for about £12k