What car should I get?

[StrawberryBurst]

Hi everyone. Read this forum alot and decided to take the plunge and start posting.

So first a bit of background info. I am a relatively new driver, only been on the roads for 6 months. I am a confident driver and already feel like I've been driving for years. I guess I picked up alot of stuff from being a passenger. I am 29 years old so not some 18 year old wannabe boy racer just for the record! My first car and current car is a Ford Focus 08 1.6 Zetec. It's nice for its age and mechanically it is sound as. It drives well too and I find it to be hit or miss sometimes in terms of fun factor. The reason I got the Focus was because it was a good deal, low mileage, full service history etc. It has some physical defects in terms of scratches and stuff and the interior really bugs me with it being old and I would just prefer something new.

I do want to upgrade, which was always the plan I just didn't want to go out and my first car to be a brand new one until I got more confidence. so I am currently in the process of choosing what car I want! In saying that there is no rush and if it takes me a while to come to a decision then so be it. The Focus is fine for now. I've read alot of reviews, watched videos etc but I just can't decide really. I guess test driving would also help, but I'm crap with dealers and going into a dealer just to test drive a car would be a bit stty I feel. I'd love an A Class Mercedes but I think the price would probably be too much for me sadly as I'm also saving towards a house deposit, and trying to clear my debt. Possibly in 5 years or so! However I'm not ruling it out, as if thats what my heart is set on and I can find an affordable deal then why the hell not eh?

In terms of usage, I'd be using the car 5/6 days a week, mostly to and from work which is a 30 minute drive on a dual carriage way most of the way. Every other weekend, I will be the designated driver for football games so will be a fair bit of motorway driving too in fairly long journeys around Scotland.
So I guess space is going to be needed as I'd likely have a full car. I don't want an estate, prefer a spacious hatchback. I also have a dog that I would take in the car sometimes, so I guess space for him also. Most importantly I want it to be a smooth, fun drive.

Budget wise, I think anything up to £250 per month (not including tax, insurance etc). I could probably stretch that to £300 if it was worth it. I also dont want a lease I'd much rather buy.

So just looking for suggestions and experiences really, if anyone has any.

Thanks in advance. See you around the forum.

Edited by StrawberryBurst on Friday 20th September 15:58

[dibblecorse]

I'd be looking at the Seat Leon and Kia hatcback ranges and you'll get something quite plush for your budget as with limited NCD for the insurance you'll want to avoid the usually overly sporty variants and either of those will provide some luxury and fun ...

[Stuart M 1976]

Keep the Focus and put any extra money you have into the property you are saving up for. That would be my advice. Focus sounds like it covers most of your needs

[DartyBistard]

This probably isn't the answer you're looking for but my 2 cents would be keep your Focus for the time being, get your debts and deposit are in order and then worry about a set of wheels. 6 months really isn't a long time to have been driving and it's very likely you aren't as good a driver as you think are just yet, so I'd be inclined to get used to driving something slow before making a step up. You mention that the Focus is a bit hit and miss on the fun factor but to be honest I can't see an a class being any better (probably worse) unless you go for an AMG, which will put you out of budget and I'm guessing insurance would be prohibitive on one of those with just 6 months driving.

If you absolutely must (and fair enough if so) then I'd be looking at used Focus STs. Genuinely good fun, not too expensive and big enough for what you need by the sounds of it.

[2gins]

Clear the debt
Buy the house
Keep the Focus as a reliable known quantity snotter
Gain experience
Buy something properly fun in a couple of years

Is the sensible answer

Hyundai i30N?

[StrawberryBurst]

Stuart M 1976 said:

Keep the Focus and put any extra money you have into the property you are saving up for. That would be my advice. Focus sounds like it covers most of your needs

Get where you are coming from, but I will have my deposit saved by this time next year so I am not too concerned about putting extra into it. My fiance is also saving too so not that huge of a deal. We aren't going to buy for a couple of years anyway. Thats another topic though.

I can afford the 250-300 and still save what we need with no issues.

[HealeyV8]

I would spend a small amount of money getting the interior of your current car to your liking. Don't worry about the outside make the space around you appealing.

Then when your finances and NCB are all in order get something better.

[SidewaysSi]

HealeyV8 said:

I would spend a small amount of money getting the interior of your current car to your liking. Don't worry about the outside make the space around you appealing.

Then when your finances and NCB are all in order get something better.

Didn't he just say his finances are on order?

[RazerSauber]

If you're saving for a house, another monthly outgoing is not going to help. The Focus is what you "need" at this time. It's a car. It goes from A-B in relative comfort. Costs buttons to run. Paying off debt early will save you noticeable amounts of money in Interest. Pay off your debts and then you've got money for a car each month with less financial impact.

Is it what you want? No. But set yourself up for a life, don't put yourself behind now because it can take decades to recover.

[StrawberryBurst]

DartyBistard said:

This probably isn't the answer you're looking for but my 2 cents would be keep your Focus for the time being, get your debts and deposit are in order and then worry about a set of wheels. 6 months really isn't a long time to have been driving and it's very likely you aren't as good a driver as you think are just yet, so I'd be inclined to get used to driving something slow before making a step up. You mention that the Focus is a bit hit and miss on the fun factor but to be honest I can't see an a class being any better (probably worse) unless you go for an AMG, which will put you out of budget and I'm guessing insurance would be prohibitive on one of those with just 6 months driving.

If you absolutely must (and fair enough if so) then I'd be looking at used Focus STs. Genuinely good fun, not too expensive and big enough for what you need by the sounds of it.

As above, deposit will be safe and sound in a year, and we are a couple of years off buying a house anyway due to other circumstances (hers not mine). In a way, this is why I'd like to get a car relatively soon, as once we buy the house, then the wedding planning will begin and all the lovely costs that will come with it

In terms of the debt clearance, again this is something I'm fairly comfortable with, it's not a huge amount and won't take long to clear, should be gone by the end of the year pending any disasters. I'm also due a sizeable salary increase in April next year, which will help massively on all fronts.

Why can't you see the A Class being any better, forgive my newbie knowledge? By all accounts from what I've read and seen it's mean to be a great drive.

Will add used ST's to the list of cars to check. Cheers!

[MC Bodge]

Give the interior a good clean. Add Bluetooth and DAB.

What more do you need?

[StrawberryBurst]

HealeyV8 said:

I would spend a small amount of money getting the interior of your current car to your liking. Don't worry about the outside make the space around you appealing.

Then when your finances and NCB are all in order get something better.

Finances are in order, it's all good. I'm not in a major rush, if it takes me half a year to decide what car I want then it's not a big deal. Not going to just decide today and head out this weekend on the hunt. I like to do my research and look at every detail.


I do understand where all you sensible folk are coming from though. I can assure things are okay, and finances and what not are all in good order.

[Poppiecock]

Remember that, should you take out finance now, unless it's paid off by the time you apply for a mortgage, it will seriously impact the affordability calculations.

Keep what you have for now! - an 08 would be a Mk2 facelift, which isn't particularly bad. You want to try driving a pre-facelift fleet special LX.

[DartyBistard]

StrawberryBurst said:

As above, deposit will be safe and sound in a year, and we are a couple of years off buying a house anyway due to other circumstances (hers not mine). In a way, this is why I'd like to get a car relatively soon, as once we buy the house, then the wedding planning will begin and all the lovely costs that will come with it

In terms of the debt clearance, again this is something I'm fairly comfortable with, it's not a huge amount and won't take long to clear, should be gone by the end of the year pending any disasters. I'm also due a sizeable salary increase in April next year, which will help massively on all fronts.

Why can't you see the A Class being any better, forgive my newbie knowledge? By all accounts from what I've read and seen it's mean to be a great drive.

Will add used ST's to the list of cars to check. Cheers!

Everyone was a newbie once, happy to help. Having driven a couple as hire cars the a180s and a200s couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding and the overall chassis setup is more geared towards comfort than driver enjoyment - basically they feel very detached. The a250s have more poke but if they're anything like the lesser powered cars in terms of handling I'd pass.

[MC Bodge]

It's not about the car

[thepeoplespal]

If you are lumping around something fully ladened I'd be thinking about a Skoda Superb (bigger & cheaper than an Octavia) and a petrol isn't an issue if you are all chipping in, remember depreciation and servicing is not free.

Normally big lumps like a Superb are rarely driven by new drivers so may be surprisingly reasonable on insurance. It is still going to hurt.

[ZX10R NIN]

StrawberryBurst said:

As above, deposit will be safe and sound in a year, and we are a couple of years off buying a house anyway due to other circumstances (hers not mine). In a way, this is why I'd like to get a car relatively soon, as once we buy the house, then the wedding planning will begin and all the lovely costs that will come with it

In terms of the debt clearance, again this is something I'm fairly comfortable with, it's not a huge amount and won't take long to clear, should be gone by the end of the year pending any disasters. I'm also due a sizeable salary increase in April next year, which will help massively on all fronts.

Why can't you see the A Class being any better, forgive my newbie knowledge? By all accounts from what I've read and seen it's mean to be a great drive.



Will add used ST's to the list of cars to check. Cheers!

To give you an idea an A Class wouldn't see which way a Focus ST/RS Megane went down an A road you current Focus has a better chassis.

Now I'd go about it a different way, get a loan for around 6-7k & buy yourself a good warm hatch so you'll still get a sensible insurance quote with a car with some decent pace.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 20th September 20:07

[GregK2]

StrawberryBurst said:

So first a bit of background info. I am a relatively new driver, only been on the roads for 6 months. I am a confident driver and already feel like I've been driving for years.

This is why most accidents happen in the first year of driving, I'm guilty of it myself. You've not even driven a winter yet!
I would strongly advise keeping the focus for another 6 months at absolute minimum, it's perfectly suited to your needs. Clear the debt, reevaluate. You'll probably also have a better idea of what you actually want at that point too.
Sorry it's not what you want to hear and I understand the itch to change.

Edited by GregK2 on Friday 20th September 18:55

[scoey1001]

Get a loan and buy a Golf gti Mk5, 6 or 7 depending on budget.