Need help with family car choices - 30 to 50k budget

[Zstar]

I know, not exactly fire breathing v8s, but I need some help from the PH massive, as I’m struggling with what cars to get for our new family. Total budget is flexible - my original plan was 30k, but can go all the way up to 45-50k if needed, especially as car prices have inflated somewhat recently!

We are moving back from Asia at the end of the year with a medium sized dog and toddler. I work in London so don’t need a commuter car, and my wife will only use hers during the week to do the school run and see friends. I’m therefore debating whether to get a “do it all car”, or run 2 cars.

My wife is not amazingly confident and wants a small EV, preferably with rear cameras. She loves the mini electric, despite my attempts to sell her on a used (and cheaper) i3. I’m quite happy to use it as well for short trips but I also need something with space for golf clubs and doing weekend trips away, as well as the odd driving holiday in Europe.

I was looking at second hand 530d Touring and the A6 biTDI avant or allroad as a weekend family car. But they seem expensive for the newer models, and I’m less keen on running an older model as it won’t have the latest gadgets etc.

What I’m trying to work out is whether it’s better to bite the bullet and get something like a second hand Tesla 3 Long Range or Tesla S that we can both use, rather than having a big diesel sat in the drive doing nothing all week, and a range limited EV that cost 25k but won’t go anywhere without annoying stops at charging stations.

Insurance is also a problem as I haven’t driven on my own policy for a few years, so what I got quoted on a model3 was 2.2k with 1k excess for both of us (wife is not British and has an overseas license). A 530D in my name comes in at about 900 with her Mini at about 700. I guess fuel and tax costs will more than negate the difference though. I’m planning on keeping the cars quite a while as I don’t like losing money on PX. I’m also intending to buy the cars in cash.

As I haven’t lived in the UK since 2010, I’m totally out of touch and open to other ideas!

Edited by Zstar on Sunday 3rd October 05:34

[georgeyboy12345]

Since you will be living in London, make sure the car you buy will be ULEZ compliant, especially with diesels. Shouldn't be too much of an issue if you are buying something under 5 years old.

I think a Tesla Model 3 long range is a great idea - you can both use it, they are easy to drive, not too big, not having the hassle of having to tax, insure and park two vehicles, good range and access to a good rapid charger network.

Here's a nice one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...

Or if you don't want one in white
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...


The other strategy is the diesel/EV combo

Sub 20k electric cars

BMW i3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...


Nissan Leaf
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105263...


Renault Zoe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...


Seat Mii
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109147...


VW e-Golf
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...



Sub 30k big diesel estates

Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI V6 Quattro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...


BMW 530d xDrive SE Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109026...


Mercedes E350 CDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108306...

[Zstar]

Thanks for the reply - that’s been pretty much my thinking. Since I posted, I’ve done some more research and I think a Tesla S might be the best all rounder for us. We will be living in Surrey, so I’m less fussed about ULEZ, and more about being able to drive up to North Wales or down to Cornwall without range anxiety being an issue, but also having room for dog, child and accompanying luggage.

The insurance is a bit of a bugger at 2k for the first year, but I assume running costs will be negligible vs running an EV plus an ICE. My wife likes the idea of automated parking, but specially in a 40k plus car and the UKs tiny parking spaces!

[georgeyboy12345]

The nice thing about the Tesla Model S is that it is a hatchback and is quite large, so is practical. The range of the 100D models beats the model 3’s LR version, and the 90D comes close. The 100D might stretch the budget a bit though.

Its size is also a potential drawback, possibly your wife might find it a bit more difficult to drive vs something smaller.

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you looked as leasing the EV?

For the estate option I'd go for the E350 in AMG Line Premium spec (Premium Plus is a bonus) as they're a great allrounder & are still sensible money & if you like spec these are a great choice:

E350d AMG AMG Line Premium Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109077...

Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109147...

EV wise you could get a Golf e for a sensible amount that would only take you a smidge over budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108286...

As you said the id3 makes the most sense.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...