20-30k Miles per annum Medium Car Considerations

[DickP]

Hi,

I run a 2008 2.2D X-Type Estate SE as my daily driver which I purchased in May 2018. It has now just clocked over 140,000 miles.

I work in a client facing role for a property consultancy, and have a £4,000 car allowance (after tax) where I am expected to provide a reliable appropriate car for business use. Lately I have had a few (although not particularly costly) faults with the car which have run close to me being unable to attend site visits and meetings. Whilst the car may now run relative fault free for several thousand more miles, I now need to have a contingency plan if the car continues to have a string of faults which are likely to impact on my work. To complicate matters I am planning to buy my first house next year.

My mileage is approximately 20,000 private (which is mostly commuting) and say 10,000 business miles. I get 11ppm for business mileage (which equates to 17ppm once I have claimed the tax relief).

I do not want anything slower than what I have now, and would like similar levels of comfort because of the regular distances I cover. I also do a lot of outdoor sport, so for sizing I want a car where I could drop the back seats and sling a road bike in without removing either wheel (so I think realistically estate or large hatchback).

I have come to a few ideas which I've listed beneath:

• Insignia mk1 facelift with 2.0 CDTi (The Elite trim leather seats don't appear to last well though, and the performance figures look poor for the power?);
• Golf Estate 2.0 TDi (Feel overpriced for what you get, bland interior and not sure on comfort compared to the X-Type?);
• SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDi (Bland interior and not sure on comfort or how good the tech is like the LED headlights?);

Some other cars I have considered are the likes of the higher spec versions of the BMW F31 320d (have always been an F31 330d fan too!), but I am very wary of timing chain problems for example. I also would likely need a personal loan if I were to fund more than £10,000 up front myself, which I am not averse to but conscious such a loan may impact on my mortgage application(s) next year?

Would people also suggest getting a 2-3 year old car with around 30,000 miles on and turn it in at around 80,000 be the better strategy going forward too?

Thoughts welcome.

Thanks!

Edited by DickP on Sunday 13th December 21:40

[talksthetorque]

I ran a 2015 Leon FR Tdi - for two years and 40k . It'll do everything you want and 45-50 mpg. Living in a village with no streetlighting on any of the roads to it I can tell you the full beam is very good, as good as the A4 LEDs I had afterwards. On the Leon for the main beam, the dipped beams lift up and the "main beam' lights come on and fill in underneath.
It was a decent car, you could do a couple of hours at a time no problems - possibly you'll find it a little noisier than your X type.
The tech is fine and I think you can get Car Play too if you go >65 reg
Might be worth seeing if leasing can work for you. There are not many great deals about at the minute but you might benefit from knowing your costs upfroont.

[Welshbeef]

F30 330d lovely cars - epic mpg and performance.

SQ5 TDI mk1 really good car smart fast job done.

Could an ID3/4 work? With the biggest battery pack?

A used Tesla Model S (fastest one you can get in your budget)

Volvo T8

Latest Ford Mondy you can find with the bestest derv unit.

535d or 640d wonderful cars - trump the 330d by miles.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mileage service history & condition would be the factors rather than age for me, now getting your bike with no wheel removal brings these cars into the mix all of which will have less than 35k on the clock so you could put at least three years worth of mileage on.

Mondeo Vignale all the kit you'll want & a nice spacious car that'll eat up the miles (mines just ticked past 80k with no issues)

210
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...

180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...

508SW GT loads of kit with a well proved drivetrain with a nice spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011246...

The current Gen Insignia is the VFM pick in either SRI/Elite Nav spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011075...

Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012056...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010205...

DS5 good amount of space that'll take you bike with ease, they're also a nice place to while away the miles & these are another VFM buy.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...


Superb Sportline good cars but I'd take the Mondeo every time imo it's the better overall package

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...

Passat BiTDI R Line Estate 24

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012046...

GT Tech 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010014...

V60 R Design Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010104...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

Current Gen V60 D4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...

Changing your oil every 10k (using non long life oil will reduce the cost of the oil change) will help your choice fare better reliability wise.



:

[DickP]

Hi

Thanks for the replies. Sending from mobile so will be a bit brief.

Car selections presented look good. Appreciate there is no crystal ball. How does the depreciation and maintenance factor into the 4k allowance per annum with the annual mileage? Sell before 80k miles or run for much longer? If paying much over 10k then I would need to go down the personal loan route. This may impact on my mortgage applications in future mightnt it?

Can the sums work for 4k allowance on something like a 3 or 5 series type car whilst doing 30k miles per annum?

Don't think electric is just there yet for me to properly consider.


Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

With an 11k budget you'd be looking at an older German that'll cost more to run I'd go for a non premium car & run it until the car starts to show signs of proper wear.

Depreciation will be similar on all as all are non premium running costs will be very sensible even if you use a main (I'd use a good Indy) dealer.

You'll be up to a max of 2k per year in (even changing the oil every 10K) maintenance costs including tyres/brakes etc.

Options up to 11K:

Mondeo Titanium 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011045...

508SW GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012076...

The VFM pick at this price point is the DS5, they're a good reliable car & a very nice place to while away the miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

Insignia Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...

V60 R Design Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009224...

[DickP]

Hi,

Great thanks for the reply!

So better to buy more lower outright purchase "mainstream" and run until it requires regular repair rather than moving it on before a set mileage?

I have driven the (mainly pre-facelift) Insignia in a previous job back when they were new. They, like the Astra J, seem to have disappeared from the roads compared to what I remember. Are there any specifications / years etc which are to avoid because of known problems? Also that first Elite has leather seats which look okay, but i have seen a few listed with what can only be described as saggy looking leather. Are there particular seats to go for with the Insignia facelift?

Will take a look at the other options listed and let you know of any queries I have on those if that is okay?

Thanks!

[ZX10R NIN]

DickP said:

Hi,

Great thanks for the reply!

So better to buy more lower outright purchase "mainstream" and run until it requires regular repair rather than moving it on before a set mileage?

I have driven the (mainly pre-facelift) Insignia in a previous job back when they were new. They, like the Astra J, seem to have disappeared from the roads compared to what I remember. Are there any specifications / years etc which are to avoid because of known problems? Also that first Elite has leather seats which look okay, but i have seen a few listed with what can only be described as saggy looking leather. Are there particular seats to go for with the Insignia facelift?

Will take a look at the other options listed and let you know of any queries I have on those if that is okay?

Thanks!

Yes run until they start seeing the garage a bit to often, if you have a good Indy they'll give you the nod when it's time to move it on.

With the Insignia it's a must to service it every 10k as the oil pick up can get clogged (do an engine flush every 30k) up if you go with the long service intervals.

I haven't seen what I'd call excessive wear on Insignia seats but like any car condition will dependent on the owner.

[Jag_NE]

Based on your mileage I think you need to be using your full allowance. I’d take a 5+ year view and get a low interest bank loan over 60 months, say 17k. Get a nearly new Mondeo/Insignia/Passat/Superb/mazda6/508 and just run it. Keep on top of the servicing and maintenance and I see no reason why you shouldn’t get 150-200k out of it.

[DickP]

Hi,

Thanks for the input guys.

One last immediate query, what are the Astra J Estates like? I had one once as a company car (SE spec with 1.7 130 Stop Start) and seemed okay with a very large boot although very sluggish compared to the Mondeo mk3 TDCi that replaced it! Are the 2.0 engines and auto gearboxes the same as found in the Insignia?

Thanks,

[Nickbrapp]

DickP said:

Hi,

Thanks for the input guys.

One last immediate query, what are the Astra J Estates like? I had one once as a company car (SE spec with 1.7 130 Stop Start) and seemed okay with a very large boot although very sluggish compared to the Mondeo mk3 TDCi that replaced it! Are the 2.0 engines and auto gearboxes the same as found in the Insignia?

Thanks,

I ran a Astra J estate for a year and 22k miles, the 1.6 diesel was a great engine, 140bhp and quiet for a diesel, I had to get rid because the pedals where slightly offset and it gave me awful back pain

I swapped it for a current gen insgina with the same engine and that was very very comftable, didn’t put a foot wrong and to buy now are dirt cheap.

I also ran a mondeo for 8 months which was single handedly the most comfy car I’ve ever driven, 16 inch wheels and chairs comfier than most sofas. Perfect motorway mile car

[DickP]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments!

ZX10R NIN,

I have only now noticed the Mondeos listed are also automatic "powershift". What are these? Are they traditional gearboxes or dual clutch like VAG's DSG?

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

DickP said:

Hi,

Thanks for the comments!

ZX10R NIN,

I have only now noticed the Mondeos listed are also automatic "powershift". What are these? Are they traditional gearboxes or dual clutch like VAG's DSG?

Thanks,

They're dual clutches like the VAG cars if you want torque converterl auto's then rhe DS5/508/Insignia & Volvo are the picks.

[DickP]

Hi,

Resurrecting this topic again as I would like thoughts on this.

It's looking increasingly more likely I will be wanting to replace the car sooner than later, and the dilemma I have isn't going to go away even if I do run the car for a longer period, merely delaying the inevitable by 6, 12 or 24 months etc.

I have had another thought for approaching this which I've tried to explain below.

What are people's thoughts on using a personal loan to purchase a more expensive car (say range between £10,000 to £20,000) with the intent of selling after say two years with the car up to say 80,000 miles, so to pay off the remaining sum of the loan used to purchase?

e.g.

• Car cost £18,000
• Loan at say £19,000 incl. the interest
• Run car from around 30,000 miles to 80,000 miles over two years
• Sell car at 80,000 miles for £12,000
• Cost to me £7,000 over two years (plus servicing and consumables etc)

Does this work in practice? Or is the second hand car market likely to become too volatile and make this a high risk strategy?

Thanks,

[ZX10R NIN]

The longer you keep the car the less it costs you, spend less initially & get a mainstream car with sensible running costs low miles nice spec & run it until it starts to much to run. You'll get savage depreciation changing every two years.when you've added another 60k on it.

Q50 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101137...

Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...

DS5 Prestige

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010215...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012026...

New shape Insignia SRI Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012197...

Older Elite Nav (by 1 year) you'll get a lower mileage higher spec more powerful car for less money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012227...

Kia Optima 2-3 years worth of warranty left

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012157...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101208...

508 GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101208...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012317...

[talksthetorque]

As well as looking at the cars, I'd just like to take a quick peek at the circumstances.
20k a year just commuting is I guess 100 miles a day for 200 days?


Are you commuting to one office or more than one?
If more than one - then trips to offices other than your "main place of work" can be claimed for.

[DickP]

talksthetorque said:

As well as looking at the cars, I'd just like to take a quick peek at the circumstances.
20k a year just commuting is I guess 100 miles a day for 200 days?


Are you commuting to one office or more than one?
If more than one - then trips to offices other than your "main place of work" can be claimed for.

Sorry talksthetorque, I missed your post on this.

It is an 80 mile round trip at the moment, although not in the office every day depending on whether I am on site or working remote / home.

My commute is to a singular office normally.

Fortunately my commute distance might be near halving, although it's a juggling act of seeing how long I can keep my current car going whilst house buying. Rising markets in both houses and cars, and wanting (or needing in the latter!) both at the same time, is not a great combination.