Presentable hatchback for £20k-ish?

[PiztonHeadz]

By presentable I mean when visiting corporate clients.

I had considered the likes of Volvo V40 or Mazda 3, but think I'll play it safe with one of the main badges:
Merc A Class
BMW 1 series
Audi A3

I'm pretty useless with cars, I've tried researching about engines, petrol, diesel, bhp etc it goes over my head. All I know is that
- automatic a must
- commuting on A & B roads for work is 30 mile round trip, plus extra use at weekends / work = 10k miles

I went to all 3 dealers, managed to test drive the Merc and BMW. Preferred the Merc, and definitely got sucked in by the AMG Premium spec. But that's creeping toward £24k. So someone please save me that 4 grand!

Any tips from those who know these cars better than me? Particularly which automatica perform the best in either petrol / diesel / engine size?

I looked at leasing, didn't seem like any good deals.

[Gareth1974]

PiztonHeadz said:

By presentable I mean when visiting corporate clients.

I had considered the likes of Volvo V40 or Mazda 3, but think I'll play it safe with one of the main badges:
Merc A Class
BMW 1 series
Audi A3

I'm pretty useless with cars, I've tried researching about engines, petrol, diesel, bhp etc it goes over my head. All I know is that
- automatic a must
- commuting on A & B roads for work is 30 mile round trip, plus extra use at weekends / work = 10k miles

I went to all 3 dealers, managed to test drive the Merc and BMW. Preferred the Merc, and definitely got sucked in by the AMG Premium spec. But that's creeping toward £24k. So someone please save me that 4 grand!

Any tips from those who know these cars better than me? Particularly which automatica perform the best in either petrol / diesel / engine size?

I looked at leasing, didn't seem like any good deals.

What sort of deals have you been offered to buy (PCP?).

Leasing can often be cheaper than buying new/nearly new, but you need to be ready to make a quick decision when a good deal comes up, and be open minded - for instance if an A5 was cheaper than a A3 would that be an option? Or a CLA deal might be better than an A-Class.

How does this A3 lease compare with a purchase/PCP? https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/car-leasing/aud...

Edited by Gareth1974 on Sunday 13th September 23:05

[England87]

Mk7.5 Golf GTI, great car and class-less too

[jason61c]

PiztonHeadz said:

By presentable I mean when visiting corporate clients.

I had considered the likes of Volvo V40 or Mazda 3, but think I'll play it safe with one of the main badges:
Merc A Class
BMW 1 series
Audi A3

I'm pretty useless with cars, I've tried researching about engines, petrol, diesel, bhp etc it goes over my head. All I know is that
- automatic a must
- commuting on A & B roads for work is 30 mile round trip, plus extra use at weekends / work = 10k miles

I went to all 3 dealers, managed to test drive the Merc and BMW. Preferred the Merc, and definitely got sucked in by the AMG Premium spec. But that's creeping toward £24k. So someone please save me that 4 grand!

Any tips from those who know these cars better than me? Particularly which automatica perform the best in either petrol / diesel / engine size?

I looked at leasing, didn't seem like any good deals.

I'd go for the A3.

[PiztonHeadz]

Gareth1974 said:

What sort of deals have you been offered to buy (PCP?).

Leasing can often be cheaper than buying new/nearly new, but you need to be ready to make a quick decision when a good deal comes up, and be open minded - for instance if an A5 was cheaper than a A3 would that be an option? Or a CLA deal might be better than an A-Class.

How does this A3 lease compare with a purchase/PCP? https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/car-leasing/aud...

Edited by Gareth1974 on Sunday 13th September 23:05

I'll be buying cash as I think I've worked out that these cars hold their value well enough for the next 3 / 4 years.

[jwilco]

In true forum style I'm going to suggest something you've already ruled out. You could get a well speced Volvo V40 with 2 years warranty for £18k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003198...

I think they look at least as smart as the German trio and they are just so much better value.

[PiztonHeadz]

jwilco said:

In true forum style I'm going to suggest something you've already ruled out. You could get a well speced Volvo V40 with 2 years warranty for £18k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003198...

I think they look at least as smart as the German trio and they are just so much better value.

As it goes I test-drove the v40 as I'd heard good things! It really is a lovely car, but in the end it was the Merc that was my fave out of all the drives.

Thanks to those that replied!

[ZX10R NIN]

PiztonHeadz said:

By presentable I mean when visiting corporate clients.

I had considered the likes of Volvo V40 or Mazda 3, but think I'll play it safe with one of the main badges:
Merc A Class
BMW 1 series
Audi A3

I'm pretty useless with cars, I've tried researching about engines, petrol, diesel, bhp etc it goes over my head. All I know is that
- automatic a must
- commuting on A & B roads for work is 30 mile round trip, plus extra use at weekends / work = 10k miles

I went to all 3 dealers, managed to test drive the Merc and BMW. Preferred the Merc, and definitely got sucked in by the AMG Premium spec. But that's creeping toward £24k. So someone please save me that 4 grand!

Any tips from those who know these cars better than me? Particularly which automatica perform the best in either petrol / diesel / engine size?

I looked at leasing, didn't seem like any good deals.

Sticking with the Germans won't serve you any better than getting in other brands, at 10k you're on the bubble of diesel or petrol how long do you plan on keeping the car?

V40 T5 R Design Pro

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007281...

R Design Nav +

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...

Mazda3 GT Sport Tech 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201911013...

MHEV GT Sport Tech 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...

Infiniti Q30 Sport (these are a nicer version of the previous gen A Class)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006099...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002137...


Leon Cupra 300 with the Virtual Dash

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006290...

FR Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008202...

Volvo S60 Inscription +

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912205...

[jwilco]

PiztonHeadz said:

As it goes I test-drove the v40 as I'd heard good things! It really is a lovely car, but in the end it was the Merc that was my fave out of all the drives.

Thanks to those that replied!

Apart from being slightly overpriced (in my opinion!), you also can't go wrong with that. I'm sure it'll treat you well - enjoy!

[England87]

V40 is dated design now though, the interior feels quite old. Solid cars mind you.