Buying my first grown up car!

[BrianGee]

So after 11 years I've finally decided to upgrade my Peugeot 307 '06 plate! I'm turning 40 next year and think it's time I get a proper car.

I mainly work from home but pre-Covid I've always worked in London so didn't really have a need to have a proper car.

I drive probably 3-4 times a week just doing sub 6 mile journeys for visiting friends, shopping and whatnot. For a bit of context, I bought my 307 in 2010 with 28k on the clock and it now has 57k lol

I'm expecting my first child in July next year so that's another reason I want to upgrade!

I have a budget of 7.5k but could stretch that for the right car. I was also contemplating a lease (perhaps 250pm) but really not sure what's best.

In terms of cars, I was thinking of a VW Golf, Mercedes C Class, BMW 2 Series. Audi A5 or Lexus IS250 - something fun.

Requirements would be low maintenance and some cool in-car tech.

I'd also like something on the "new" side - maybe less than 5 years old

Just would like a fun car in general as I've never had one

Any thoughts?

Edited by BrianGee on Sunday 19th December 20:50

[BrianGee]

For a long time I thought low mileage is king but perhaps I don't need something with less than 50k on the clock. I literally do 2.5k per year.

I guess a 62 reg with 100k would still be a massive upgrade on my current 307.

Perhaps something like this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...

Also wondering if I should go for diesel or petrol. I live near ULEZ

Edited by BrianGee on Sunday 19th December 21:53

[FHCNICK]

You certainly don't want to be running a diesel on the short journeys you describe.

As for mileage, it wouldn't concern me to buy a high mileage for year car that has been well maintained. Longer journeys are easier on cars than short trips with the oil not up to temperature and crashing over speed humps in urban areas.

[ZX10R NIN]

BrianGee said:

For a long time I thought low mileage is king but perhaps I don't need something with less than 50k on the clock. I literally do 2.5k per year.

I guess a 62 reg with 100k would still be a massive upgrade on my current 307.

Perhaps something like this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112090...

Also wondering if I should go for diesel or petrol. I live near ULEZ

Edited by BrianGee on Sunday 19th December 21:53

Good service history with receipts (so you have proof the work has been done along with condition mileage/price being all the things you should consider.

If the latest tech is important to you then maybe look to buy a car where you can change the stereo as this makes adding things like Android Auto/Apple Car Play easier.

With a budget of 8k you should be able to buy a nice car.

1.6T 308 Allure 155

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112050...

Giulietta Sportiva 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...

Veloce 170 I'd want the bonnet vinyl removed before agreeing a deal

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112050...

1.4T Astra Limited Edition 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...

Focus Zetec S 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111300...

Mazda6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...

Leftfield

Infiniti G37S saloon they come loaded with kit (it'll cost £500 plus fitting yo upgrade the tech) the tax is high but your fuel cost will be minimal.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...

[Mr Tidy]

I'd swap the 2 Series for a 1 Series with 5 doors with your impending fatherhood looming - and congrats on that.

A relative of mine had an E46 Compact when he became a dad and getting the chlld seat in or out of a 3 door car was a nightmare. so it soon got replaced by an E46 Touring.

[flying-banana]

Stick with petrol, don't go for a diesel...

Mazda3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021111796...

Seat Leon FR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021110793...

Skoda Octavia vRS (slightly older...)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021022393...

[eleveneleven]

A Lexus IS250 is not fun! Solid, reliable, comfortable but definitely wouldn't describe it as fun, and they're very cramped in the in the back, back seats don't fold forward. IS300H would be the better option in terms of practicality and running costs if you were looking for a Lexus.

- That C class (or a C class) is a good option

- Mazda 6 is also worth a look
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199...

Edited by eleveneleven on Thursday 30th December 11:58

[georgeyboy12345]

Your budget of £7500 is far too small for something under 5 years old. You either need to spend more money or accept an older car. Forget about wanting low mileage too, why must you have a car with low mileage when you are doing hardly any miles anyway? That makes no sense. You should go for a low mileage car if you will be covering lots of miles. Don't go anywhere near a diesel.

Here are some suggestions that just about fit your criteria

Vauxhall Astra 1.6 i Turbo SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...


BMW 118i SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-G
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...


To get decent examples of the cars you listed with the requirements you desire, I'd be looking to spend the following amounts

Mercedes C-class £14,500 for a C200 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...

BMW 4-Series GranCoupe (not a 2 series, too small if you have a kid) £15,995 420i Luxury
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...

Audi A5 £19,975 for a 2.0 TFSI Sportback
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

You won't find any Lexus IS250s that meet your criteria as they stopped selling them here 6 years ago, and you want something under 5 years old!

[LightningBlue]

If you’re only doing 2500 miles per year do you really enjoy driving, and is ‘fun’ really needed? Solid and reliable is surly the way to go, and if you can get a Lexus in good order for that budget go for it.

[p4cks]

Sorry to be the party pooper but your priority is sadly not 'tech' or 'fun' or 'grown up' - it's simply going to have to be the one with a boot big enough to carry the push chair and bags and bags of associated junk that your own impending party pooper will require.

[colin79666]

Skoda Superb. Plenty room for all the baby gubbins, safe and dependable. Go petrol given your low weekly mileage. Would need to be over 5 years old though, car prices are up significantly so you need a bigger budget or be prepared to look for something in the 5-10 year old bracket.

[Super Sonic]

Honda Civic.

[BrianGee]

Mr Tidy said:

I'd swap the 2 Series for a 1 Series with 5 doors with your impending fatherhood looming - and congrats on that.

A relative of mine had an E46 Compact when he became a dad and getting the chlld seat in or out of a 3 door car was a nightmare. so it soon got replaced by an E46 Touring.

Would a 1 series 5 door be big enough for baby stuff? I always thought it was quite a small car. Will definitely look into it

[BrianGee]

eleveneleven said:

A Lexus IS250 is not fun solid, reliable, comfortable but definitely wouldnt describe it as fun, and they're very cramped in the in the back, back seats don't fold forward. IS300H would be the better option in terms of practicality and running costs if you were looking for a Lexus.

- That C class (or a C class) is a good option

- Mazda 6 is also worth a look
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199...

That's a good shout. I might well look into that. I'm seeing a lot of Mazda recommendations. Didn't ever consider that model but might need to broaden my options

[BrianGee]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Your budget of £7500 is far too small for something under 5 years old. You either need to spend more money or accept an older car. Forget about wanting low mileage too, why must you have a car with low mileage when you are doing hardly any miles anyway? That makes no sense. You should go for a low mileage car if you will be covering lots of miles. Don't go anywhere near a diesel.

Here are some suggestions that just about fit your criteria

Vauxhall Astra 1.6 i Turbo SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...


BMW 118i SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-G
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...


To get decent examples of the cars you listed with the requirements you desire, I'd be looking to spend the following amounts

Mercedes C-class £14,500 for a C200 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...

BMW 4-Series GranCoupe (not a 2 series, too small if you have a kid) £15,995 420i Luxury
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...

Audi A5 £19,975 for a 2.0 TFSI Sportback
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

You won't find any Lexus IS250s that meet your criteria as they stopped selling them here 6 years ago, and you want something under 5 years old!

Yeah I've changed my approach a bit and not going for something less than 5 years old. Something with high mileage and good service history is the way to go

[BrianGee]

p4cks said:

Sorry to be the party pooper but your priority is sadly not 'tech' or 'fun' or 'grown up' - it's simply going to have to be the one with a boot big enough to carry the push chair and bags and bags of associated junk that your own impending party pooper will require.

Very true. I thought I could combine the fun with practical. Tbh any upgrade on my 307 will be fun.

A C Class or Lexus IS300H could fit both fun and practical in my book although some others might not agree on those cars being fun

[BrianGee]

LightningBlue said:

If you’re only doing 2500 miles per year do you really enjoy driving, and is ‘fun’ really needed? Solid and reliable is surly the way to go, and if you can get a Lexus in good order for that budget go for it.

I've seen a recommendation for IS300H. Is it much different then the IS250?

Leaning towards a Lexus or Mercedes C Class

[BrianGee]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I think I've got a better idea now

- Petrol
- Older than 5 years old

- Lexus IS300H
- Mercedes C Class
- Mazda 3 or 6
- BMW 1 or 2 series

[ZX10R NIN]

Out of those it'd be the Mazda6 you'll get a nicely spec'd one with sensible miles for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...

You won't get a sensible mileage IS300 for your budget but you will get a nice IS250 F Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140...

Leftfield Option that actually ticks your boxes & they're a decnt car too:

2017 1.4T Insignia Design Nav 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...

2016 1.8i SRI Nav 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111280...


& as I said earlier the Pulsar is worth a look.

[georgeyboy12345]

BrianGee said:

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I think I've got a better idea now

- Petrol
- Older than 5 years old

- Lexus IS300H
- Mercedes C Class
- Mazda 3 or 6
- BMW 1 or 2 series

You won't get a good Lexus IS300H for £7500, you'll need to spend at least £11k. Here's a decent one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...


I wouldn't bother with a C-class either, ones in your budget will be the W204 C180K, which have the M271 engine that suffers with a stretched timing chain and coking on the valves leading to poor fuel economy. The latter problem is exacerbated by short, slow journeys.

Here are some things I'd be looking at if I was in your shoes

Lexus IS250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111149...


Mazda 6 2.0 SE-L
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...


VW Passat 1.8 TSI Highline DSG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...


Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...


VW Golf 1.4 TSI SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110148...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB Veloce
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...


Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...


Kia Ceed 1.6 GDI EcoDynamics
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...


Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...