Help, I need two cars!

[rosscouk]

Hi all,

I need some help as all this car buying business is sending me (more) insane. I currently run two cars, one for me and one for my wife, I drive a Saab 93 2007 diesel estate (161k) and my wife drives a Clio Dynamique 2009 diesel (90k). The Saab is parked on hard-standing and the Clio in the garage. I have used 5 year car loans on both, the Saab is clear and the Clio completes in September. They both cover around 10k - 12k a year. I need to replace both.

Right the first thing to think about is which car I want to drive as it dictates what we will buy. Mywife would like something bigger than the Clio and the garage will fit a golf into it. For a time my wife said she wanted to drive larger car as the clio gets buffeted by wind on the motorway but now she is happy to drive either. So that means two scenarios'

Scenario one
Fun-ish estate for me (Octavia Vrs etc). Sedate small car for wife (Peugeot 308)

Scenario two
Sedate estate for my wife (Passat etc). Fun-ish small car for me (Golf GTi, M135)

Other factors
fuel - diesel or petrol. Can't decide, I suppose I need to get 40-45mpg out of both cars.
funding - I was planning on getting £25k loan split between cars as needed. I could lease, but complicates things further....

Stuff on the cars
Cruise, Parking assist, auto (probably)

Anyway, there you have it. So many variables. Does anyone have any views on two complementary cars to fit those scenarios. At the very least its been good to write it down!

[rosscouk]

The saab is starting to give more and more problems and so really needs replacing, even if not immediately then soon. The clio needs replacing as my wife doesn't like driving it on the motorways and I don't want to drive it particularly either. I would love a 3rd car though, but no room, parking is at a premium where we are unfortunately.

[rosscouk]

So...some ideas

Scenario 1
For wife - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
For me - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Scenario 2
For wife - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
For me - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rosscouk]

qska said:

It's quite funny, to see the husband's car budget 1.5x larger than the wife's, even though they do similar mileages :-D

Its my commission for doing all the looking on PistonHeads and autotrader, i obviously hate all that......ahem.

[rosscouk]

qska said:

At £25k per 5 years, you're in prime leasing territory...
Look where you are - 5 year loan expired, along with the cars.

This "nothing to show for at the end" is also true when buying cars in this price bracket.

My biggest regret was buying a Merc E class for 16k - traded it in two years later for 8k. 4k loss per year!

My wife's S-Max bought for 10k isn't doing much better - it's now worth 5k, also two years later.

Not to mention repair bills, they average £30 per month on each car.

Seriously - this is no mans land when it comes to purchases - either lease, or simply spend less on used.

Otherwise you'll end up with high cost (possibly even more than a lease), no warranty, and potential for high bills.

Been there, done that

Look at Karoq lease deals, they're quite good value (£200pm amortised including Road Tax). Or in other words £1300 upfront and £145 per month.

Thanks, perhaps I should investigate further. I have never leased anything before.

[rosscouk]

qska said:

- either lease, or simply spend less on used.

I forgot to ask, if I was to spend less, how much would you recommend?

[rosscouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

Here's a couple of options:

Sensible

Wife:

Kia C'eed GT These are good cars as well as having the peace of mind of 5 years worth of warranty left.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You:
Mondeo Vignale/Titanium the best FWD steer in it's class & the Vignale is a very well equipped I can't fault mine.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

But I'd probably do it this way, mainly because my OH likes driving too

Wife:

Focus Estate in ST-2 spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You: It would be rude not to have the best drivers hot hatch if your going to get one:

RS 265 Lux with the Cup Chassis

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or

Wife: Kia C'eed 4Tech Estate

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You:

Audi S3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I think this would be my combo:

Wife:

Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBI (very good underrated car)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You:

Mondeo Vignale 210 tdci

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

or

Focus ST-2 185 tdci (if you don't need the space I'd go for the Focus)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks ZX10R NIN! You always seem to find stuff I always miss when I am looking on my own. Do you think its worth buying rather than leasing? - I know thats always a much discussed topic, but interested in your take.

[rosscouk]

Currently look at bit cheaper as suggested

Found this for me
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

and for wife
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rosscouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

Sorry Ross I hope this isn't doing your head in but if you want a good reliable car estate to last plus this car wins the VFM & it's not a bad car either.

DAB/Xenons/NavBluetooth/Streaming/Parking Sensors all round/Cruise Control & it's an Auto, plus it has a years worth of warranty left which you can extend to give you peace of mind as well as in 5 years time it will only have around 70k which will make it desirable for someone looking for one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or use the above to knock down the price on this one that's 6 months newer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You should be able to haggle more off the first one.

You can still get the OH a very good Pro C'eed GT Tech with three rather than 4 years warranty left (but it will have all the kit mentioned above) if you want three doors.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You have assets at the end of the five years & depreciation wise I wouldn't expect either to plummet in price as they've taken their big depreciation hits already, the Kia won't lose lots as they didn't sell many & they're a good car I've sourced three & my customers are very happy with them.

No, not doing my head in at all. I am liking all the suggestions! I seem to have a mental block when it comes to vauxhalls and fords, probably from being dragged around in my dads various company cars in the 80's. I am trying to get over this. I actually quite like the Ford Mondeo Vignale you recommended previously but the Insignia does look a bit cumbersome. I will have a bit of a look now.

Edited by rosscouk on Friday 12th January 19:00

[rosscouk]

Well, I just had a flirt with leasing. I got all excited and was looking at some deals for Volvo V90 on 8k per year. I then went and looked at my last three years mileage, hmmmmm, somewhat underestimated things.

Okay, so one of the years was fairly heavy work use, but that could happen again, so average comes in at 19,123. I do more miles than I realise!

[rosscouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

At that point nearly new makes a lot of sense that Vignale ticks every box, have you worked out how many miles your wife is doing?

I did actually, so 14789 for her adding to the 19123 for me over the last three years! Much higher than I actually thought.

[rosscouk]

qska said:

I liked the Vignale suggestion, but the A pillar blond spot is mahoosive.

I probably need to take a look at this, I hadn't heard it was an issue - good shout!

[rosscouk]

CX53 said:

I noticed a 308 in there somewhere you’d picked out for your wife. I had one as a courtesy car a while back and I really liked it.

This one was auto and the gearbox was actually pretty good. The 1.2 130 bhp turbo was quite impressive too and felt pretty quick. The interior felt naff and media system rubbish even compared to my Astra, but did what it needed to. I actually considered buying one next! Got some good comments from work colleagues about how nice it looked.

Thanks, this is really helpful.

I am currently looking at the Vignale/Vrs/C220 so narrowing it down with a few outside options like 5 series/Mazda 6/passat

My wife has now been introduced to the 308, but we probably need to drive one. I have also been arguing for an auto on both cars, but wife is not yet convinced. We spend so much time in traffic on the M5, an auto seems like a no-brainer.

[rosscouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say get her to test drive the KIa the I feel the fit & finish is better than the Peugeot as well as the media actually function properly, but I appreciate it may be a harder sell (right up until she drives one especially if you stick to a manual so you can have a warm hatch to play with) than the Peugeot.

Auto C'eed 4 Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you let her get her way you get a sweet warm hatch to have some fun with every now & then.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks - These all look excellent. Its definitely on the list now.

[rosscouk]

The configuration has changed a bit due to my other half changing her mind (why do they do that?).

So, I am still thinking up to 25k for two cars

1) Estate (to replace Saab 93 estate), leather, auto, cruise, reverse parking, probably no more than 60k ish miles. 15 miles pa. Probably diesel. Up to £10k. I have been thinking Octavia's/superb/V70s/C class/passat etc
2) Funnish smaller car (to replace Clio). Auto and cruise again if possible. Again, probably no more than 60ish or less on clock. Petrol. Up to £15k. I have been thinking Golf GTi/megane/ceed/giuletta/m135

I am thinking I like the idea of a V70, big comfortable cruiser and a Golf GTI. Any help or tips gratefully accepted.

[rosscouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mondeo is ahead of the rest in this segment but the others will mean you get a newer car as the high spec Mondeos hold their money well:

2.0d Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks ZX10R NIN, some excellent suggestions as usual. They also make me think about different options which is the whole idea of this thread.

I think the Mondeo should be considered but I have a bit of a thing against Fords and Vauxhalls for that matter as my Dad had a whole load of Sierra's and Cavaliers in the 80's. Its completely unjustified and not fair.

ZX10R NIN said:

The Insignia is still the best VFM option when it comes to Spec/Low mileage/Age & BHP

195bhp Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

These do look good value for money, I need to test drive one.

ZX10R NIN said:

Passat Highline

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I can't get massively excited by these, although I do not seem to be able to drop off my list.

ZX10R NIN said:

Octavia VRS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I quite like the new model VRS (but can't afford really), but no so sure about the old models curves.

ZX10R NIN said:

C350 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Interesting. I do have my eye on a MB C Class C250 CDI AMG Sport Plus 7G - I thought I should be aiming for the C220 as its a good compromise in terms of power/fuel economy, any thoughts?

ZX10R NIN said:

Another option is the 508SW GT they're hard to find but a very worthy car they have the same 200bhp engine as the 2.2d Mondeo they come loaded with kit.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I wouldn't have thought of these normally, but they do interest me. I need to do a bit more research.

I have the odd Superb and Octavia on the list both in Elegence guise. I quite like the idea of a v70, should I worry I would need to go a bit older to get there abouts the £10k mark? I also have an Accord on the list, but don't have much experience though with them. Seems fairly cheap.

[rosscouk]

ZX10R NIN said:

Hot hatch options:

Alfa Giulietta QV

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

These look good, although I am fairly nervous about reliability, should I be?

ZX10R NIN said:

Hot hatch options:

Leon Cupra 280

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I do really like the idea of the Cupra, although they do seem to hold their value more and are not much cheaper than the Golfs from looking over the past few months.

ZX10R NIN said:

Hot hatch options:

Edition 35 GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I like the bodywork on the slightly newer golfs, but perhaps I am limiting myself a bit.

ZX10R NIN said:

M135i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I do really like the look of the M135i's, I think along with the golf currently they interest me the most. Should I hold out for a 2014+ plate?

I also quite like the idea of the Megane, but it doesnt come with an auto box, which is a shame. I would want this as I will still find myself in M5 queue's from time to time.

[rosscouk]

qska said:

Change thread title to: Man stumped by used car market choice.

Newsflash: No car is perfect.

Get out there, drive something, buy it and enjoy it for what it is.

And let us know how you get on

Your not wrong, I could just go with "man stumped" and drop the rest....