Changed car and now I'm stuck

[rockymoghal]

Hello All,

I have been a long time reader of the forum and thought it would be useful to post my problem for some advice.

Basically in March 2019 I leased a Golf GTi. It was a cracking car and a lot of fun to drive. Unfortunately with a baby on the way and the Mrs not enjoying the ride, I decided it would be a good idea to change. I went to my local VW dealer in July to see what options they had, bearing in mind I couldn't wait for a factory order. After an hour of back and forth I settled on a VW Tiguan Match 130 petrol. It's not a bad car but to be fair I've had it since July and I'm really getting sick of the overall "meh" feeling I get when driving it.

The issue I have is the settlement figure and the valuation I got online are £3000 apart. So really my options are
A) Sell the car and pay the remaining finance off but basically make a loss on the car and then find another suitable car.
B) Get a PCP deal where they can put the negative equity into the finance agreement

I'm more inclined to do option A as it saves me interest and then I have wiped the slate clean. My next step would be to look for a suitable car. What I'm looking for is something big enough to load the car fully ( we do lots of road trips, family holidays), comfortable for everyone in the car and a little fun to drive. Unfortunately I don't have much in terms of saving ( Just purchased a house) but I have a steady income so I have a budget of £400-450 a month excl. Insurance.

I guess what I'm asking is do I have any other options and if not, what would be a good replacement car ( PCP or lease but I think lease would be better for me)

I hope you guys can help!

[Rowe]

personally i'd just stick with the meh feeling. I don't see the point in losing all that money just because it's boring to drive.

[aka_kerrly]

Sounds like a 5 door Gti / leon Cupra with adaptive suspension could have been the answer, an tell the wife to stop moaning hehe.

[rockymoghal]

Yeah I didn't think it was a good idea to change. As it stands I'm paying £340 a month for the Tiguan. I was thinking if I can get a better suited car for about £280-300 then the monthly saving would balance out the money I would have lost. But either way you look at it I'm losing money so might just have to stick with it.

[rockymoghal]

aka_kerrly said:

Sounds like a 5 door Gti / leon Cupra with adaptive suspension could have been the answer, an tell the wife to stop moaning hehe.

Haha I really wish I did get the DCC. To be fair the bigger boot has been much easier so guess it's a decent trade (I think).

[Belle427]

Something like an octavia vrs estate?
Do what makes you happy, I've lost thousands on cars over the years, just chalk it up and move on.

[Begall]

Whatever you do, don’t buy another new car, it’s only going to be more expensive when you change in 6 months time.

[Scrump]

If your wife didn't like the ride on the GTi then I doubt she will like the ride on anything you would consider interesting. Stick with what you have.

[ED209]

How can you sell a car you lease? You don’t own it.

[TameRacingDriver]

What was her issue with the GTI? Seems like a sensible enough car to me. The ride can’t have been that bad surely??

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Tuesday 14th January 11:25

[jackofall84]

Why not keep that car and use the £3,000 you'd lose on something like an MX5?

[rockymoghal]

ED209 said:

How can you sell a car you lease? You don’t own it.

Sorry, may have been worded poorly. I have the car on PCP but was looking for a lease deal.

[rockymoghal]

Belle427 said:

Something like an octavia vrs estate?
Do what makes you happy, I've lost thousands on cars over the years, just chalk it up and move on.

She has said no to Skoda, which is a shame because they seem to have so much space.

[rockymoghal]

TameRacingDriver said:

What was her issue with the GTI? Seems like a sensible enough car to me. The ride can’t have been that bad surely??

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Tuesday 14th January 11:25

She was pregnant at the time so may not have helped the ride comfort lol. She didn't like how low it was and how heavy the doors were. Our drive is on a slope so it was a constant pain with the doors slamming into her shins. The Tiguan is a higher ride so easier to get in and out with a kid.

[rockymoghal]

jackofall84 said:

Why not keep that car and use the £3,000 you'd lose on something like an MX5?

Didn't think about that. You have me interested now. What could I get for £3000 that is fun to drive? Just has to fit a cricket bag (big suitcase) in the back. No other criteria really.

[jackofall84]

rockymoghal said:

jackofall84 said:

Why not keep that car and use the £3,000 you'd lose on something like an MX5?

Didn't think about that. You have me interested now. What could I get for £3000 that is fun to drive? Just has to fit a cricket bag (big suitcase) in the back. No other criteria really.

Not really got any suggestions there I'm afraid, I'm sure £3000 could get you something pretty fun though. I've no doubt There'll be some fantastic ideas along soon from the rest of the PH massive though!

[ChrisH72]

Is the Tiguan your only car?
Does your wife drive?

My little boy has just turned 4 and our solution was for my wife to have the sensible family car and for me to have something a bit sportier. She gets the nice new motor so she’s happy and I don’t mind driving an older car that’s more interesting. Could easily work for you if she keeps the Tiguan and you get a cheap but fun car.

Otherwise I would just keep the VW at least until the end of your pcp deal. SUVs are dull to drive but the reason they’re so popular is that they are great for families. Once your baby is born you’ll appreciate that high stance as it’s a lot easier lifting buggies and car seats in and out without having to bend down. And for the first 18 months the last thing on your mind will be driving fast with that precious cargo, in fact the soft ride will be welcome. Once they are out of the infant carrier and in a regular car seat you can get something a bit tastier then, fast estate maybe.

[TameRacingDriver]

rockymoghal said:

She was pregnant at the time so may not have helped the ride comfort lol. She didn't like how low it was and how heavy the doors were. Our drive is on a slope so it was a constant pain with the doors slamming into her shins. The Tiguan is a higher ride so easier to get in and out with a kid.

Jesus, people are really spoiled these days.

When I was a kid my dad had luxurious vehicles such as classic Minis and AX GTs, and nobody complained. A modern GTI will be like a limo in comparison!

[Summit_Detailing]

rockymoghal said:

She didn't like how low it was and how heavy the doors were. Our drive is on a slope so it was a constant pain with the doors slamming into her shins.

If you reversed up the drive the slope would keep the doors open and thus no bruised shins.

£3k of fun....MR2, MX5, Barchetta, TT, GTV

Cheers,

Chris

[tomble22]

rockymoghal said:

Belle427 said:

Something like an octavia vrs estate?
Do what makes you happy, I've lost thousands on cars over the years, just chalk it up and move on.

She has said no to Skoda, which is a shame because they seem to have so much space.

Would second that, we have a VRs 245 hatch and it's got more than enough room for us and the little one, with more than enough power day to day.