Cheapest way to get a car for 3-6 months

[Technoholic]

Hi,

Posted this question before but with the intention of buying and selling something in a short period but have decided this may not be the best way forward.

I have ordered a new car for me and one for my wife, my Wife's one will probably arrive sooner, in 3-6 months, which will fulfil our second car needs (as she won't sell her current one immediately) but until that time, I need to get something as the "family car", i.e. the one to haul the kids and their associated car seats, prams, and all the stuff that goes along with that.

I've seen various short term leases that seem to fit the bill but wondered if there is a better way to go about this?

Thanks

[Technoholic]

By the way, when I say cheapest, it doesn't mean that the overall spend has to be too low, it's just that whatever I do, I want it to be the best value version of it

[MattyD803]

I'd probably go down the route of privately sourcing a £4-5k Honda CRV Petrol Auto (or similar) with all the toys....use and abuse as needed, obviously trying to keep it looking smart and tidy, if the odd scuff / scratch needs sorting get it done, then sell at the end of period when no long required.

Obviously doesn't necessarily need to be a Honda, or indeed a CRV, (I just have good experience and knowledge of them) but something reliable (probably Japanese), solid, safe, fully loaded, comfortable, easy to drive and 'modern' ish.....with a view to selling privately or trading in for the same price you bought at....if not more if you've done some tidy up work on it over the period.

If it cost you more than £500 all in for 6 months motoring, including insurance and tax, I would be suprised.

[Technoholic]

I liked the idea of not having to deal with a private sale at the end, but I'd consider it I suppose. I don't really love those types of Japanese cars, although this is a means to an end to an extent, I still want, and would rather spend more, on something a bit more premium

[stevemcs]

Just buy the cheapest car you can find with the longest mot with a reasonable set of tyres, run it and then weigh it in

Try an old civic or focus

[SWoll]

I think the issue you have is that even buying cheap, used prices are sky high at the minute so you could easily take a bath even on a £5k purchase over 6 months plus there's always the risk of issues with the car as that kind of budget isn't buying very much at the minute. You'll essentially be gambling on reliability and the used car market staying bouyant.

Out of interest, what car is your wife getting that is no good for the tasks you mention?

[Technoholic]

I've re-read my message and I think I didn't write it very clearly.

The situation at the moment is that all we currently have is a 2015 Qashqai, which is my wife's current car. It's too small for long term which is why we are replacing it but at the moment it's doing the duty for all of us. Problem is we need 2 cars due to our work and often needing to be in different places i.e. one doing the nursery run but the other picking up from nursery so that's why I need a car to get me by in the meantime, and if I'm going to get something, it makes sense to make it as big as possible to it fulfils the duty of being able to haul everything, should we need to in the next few months.

My wife has a new Kia Sportage on order, so when that comes, I will get rid of whatever cheap thing I buy, and that will be "my car" until my RS6 arrives, when we will sell the Qashqai and she will take the Sportage.

I hope that makes more sense.

[MattyD803]

Technoholic said:

I liked the idea of not having to deal with a private sale at the end, but I'd consider it I suppose. I don't really love those types of Japanese cars, although this is a means to an end to an extent, I still want, and would rather spend more, on something a bit more premium

Sticking with the same theme, but a little more premium, I'd probably go for a Lexus RX then....pick something up <10 year old and fully dealer serviced, you'll also be covered by a manufacturer warranty. (It is transferrable).

[Technoholic]

I’m sure that’s a very capable car and I still like the concept of what you’ve said hit sorry, I think it looks horrible to me, especially inside! Maybe it’s just me, never been a fan of the quirky Lexus design but I will keep looking for the same type of thing.

[nobrakes]

stevemcs said:

Just buy the cheapest car you can find with the longest mot with a reasonable set of tyres, run it and then weigh it in

Try an old civic or focus

^ This.

Then, if it breaks, buy another.

It will save you time instead of looking for a utopian ‘premium’ . Maybe look on it as a rental car.

Just get a Mondeo/Vectra/Avensis thing.

[nobrakes]

2009 petrol black mondeo £2000.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201040...

[jaydeeuk1]

Technoholic said:

I’m sure that’s a very capable car and I still like the concept of what you’ve said hit sorry, I think it looks horrible to me, especially inside! Maybe it’s just me, never been a fan of the quirky Lexus design but I will keep looking for the same type of thing.

It's a temporary car, who cares what it looks like!?

[nobrakes]

Seeing as your an audi man,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201051...

3.7 A8 for 2grand.

[nobrakes]

Sorry, forgot u need space for sprigs and stuff

Petrol Passat 2009

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

£1800/ 6 months = equiv of £300 a month then you get a free car!

Ok, you might to fix something, but only if absolutely essential.

[Technoholic]

nobrakes said:

Sorry, forgot u need space for sprigs and stuff

Petrol Passat 2009

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

£1800/ 6 months = equiv of £300 a month then you get a free car!

Ok, you might to fix something, but only if absolutely essential.

I think this sort of thing is my best bet, I have thought about having a tip run type car anyway so this would fill that need afterwards. Is the Passat the best around this money or are there any better options?

[georgeyboy12345]

Technoholic said:

I think this sort of thing is my best bet, I have thought about having a tip run type car anyway so this would fill that need afterwards. Is the Passat the best around this money or are there any better options?

Those Passats aint great, especially with that engine. The 1.8 TSI is an early version of the EA888 engine that was plagued with problems, such as timing chain failure, turbo failure, high oil consumption, poor fuel consumption, coil pack failure, etc. You can definitely find something better

[nobrakes]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Technoholic said:

I think this sort of thing is my best bet, I have thought about having a tip run type car anyway so this would fill that need afterwards. Is the Passat the best around this money or are there any better options?

Those Passats aint great, especially with that engine. The 1.8 TSI is an early version of the EA888 engine that was plagued with problems, such as timing chain failure, turbo failure, high oil consumption, poor fuel consumption, coil pack failure, etc. You can definitely find something better

Fair enough re that engine. Probably be better with any previous gen B5 Passat at that money then - they are nonsense workhorses.

[Wilmslowboy]

You need to weigh up cheapness with convenience and risk.

If I’ve read correctly you plan to buy a RS6, which is likely to be a £1,500+ a month ownership experience. Therefore why mess about with a couple of grand ‘cheap cars’, especially if they carry the risk or big bills or as worse leaving you stranded.

Rent something like a 520d touring from Enterprise/ Sixt etc for 3 months, probably be cheaper than owning your RS6, to spend less, rent a value (Korean estate), probably as nice a driving experience as a 10 year old German car.

If you really want a keeper, a well sorted family/ tip car a £5k Volvo v70.

[Mark V GTD]

I was recently in the same situation regarding needing a car for three to six months. Renting is not an option. It’s minimum £100 a day from my local Enterprise branch. And that’s for a Corsa!

[Technoholic]

Wilmslowboy said:

You need to weigh up cheapness with convenience and risk.

If I’ve read correctly you plan to buy a RS6, which is likely to be a £1,500+ a month ownership experience. Therefore why mess about with a couple of grand ‘cheap cars’, especially if they carry the risk or big bills or as worse leaving you stranded.

Rent something like a 520d touring from Enterprise/ Sixt etc for 3 months, probably be cheaper than owning your RS6, to spend less, rent a value (Korean estate), probably as nice a driving experience as a 10 year old German car.

If you really want a keeper, a well sorted family/ tip car a £5k Volvo v70.

Because I don’t generally do finance so i have the money in the bank waiting for the rs6 to be built, so anything I buy in the meantime will come out that fund, so yes I could just make it back up in the year before the Audi arrives, but I’m just trying to minimise my losses. I might be spending a big chunk on the Audi but doesn’t mean I want to be careless with money elsewhere, to an extent anyway.