Looking for a replacement for a Lexus IS250 - Budget £15k

[rdb85]

I am looking to replace my Lexus IS250 SE-L as I no longer do a great number of miles, so I have decided whilst I am getting a good part-exchange deal on my car its worth looking for a more economical replacement. As I only do 4000 miles a year. I have a maximum of £15k to spend. Some of the criteria:

- Small/Medium in Size
- Zero Road Tax if possible
- Petrol/Hybrid or Electric
- Holds value well
- Decent amount of gadgets.
- Automatic

Some of the ones I have looked at are:

Audi A1/A3
Lexus CT200H
Toyota Yaris
VW Golf GTE
BMW 330e

Has anyone any experience with the Hybrid Cars?

[rdb85]

markirl said:

Why, if only doing 4k/year, is economy your biggest concern? The answer here is a V8 before you can no longer buy one!

Why, would I want a V8? People don't want to buy big thirsty cars. I would rather buy something economical, that does not cost a huge amount over 5 years. I am looking at it long term.

[rdb85]

ZX10R NIN said:

here's the thing the simplest solution is to keep the Lexus everything you're listing are depreciating at the same rate a the Petrol versions so for me if you're going to spend 15k buy yourself something you want.

If you really want a hybrid then two stand out at your budget:

IS300h F Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

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

Infiniti Q50h Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Mondeo Vignale

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

I see what you mean. The Lexus IS great, but as I don’t do that many miles it’s more sense for a smaller car. I just wonder the older the Lexus gets the more it will cost to keep it. Now I’m not saying that any of the ones listed won’t need money spending on them.

I see what you mean by saying buy something I want. I’ve always liked the VW Golf as they are a nice car, plus they hold their value and there are some great spec available. I will have a look at the ones you have mentioned above.

[rdb85]

Tyre Tread said:

Keep the IS250.

I have a 2007 that I've just cracked 100K miles on and it drives a like a new car.

I was loaned a CT200h 18 months ago and it was horrible. I was glad to get back into my own IS250.

My friend has a 2017 Volvo s40 with all the toys. I prefer the IS250.

At 4k miles a year, any tiny amount you save on fuel by buying a newer hybrid will be lost many times over in depreciation.

I've just gone from driving 25K miles a year in the Lexus to about 4K also and I'm be keeping the Lexus for long distance stuff when visiting relatives etc and using the wife's dog mobile 2007 77K mile Honda Jazz for local B&Q trips and the like.

I don't see the point of putting a new(er) car on the drive to do nothing 90% of the time.

Every other car in my road is either a Porsche (2 next door) a high end BMW or Merc. (2 Excpetions re 2 VWS in same households) and I cn hear them depreciating all day most days as none of them ever seem to move much. Still, if it makes them feel happy to impress me then

I see what you mean. The IS250 is only costing me £188 for the car, £79 for the insurance, £30 road tax and £70 a month in fuel. The good thing is that because it’s a Lexus they are very reliable. I’m not trying to impress anyone really, but I was thinking of maybe a change of car. As I have around 2 years left to pay off the Lexus but the part exchange is quite good at the moment. The problem with cars is that they are a depreciating asset so whatever you buy it will loose value. But I’m just looking at options at this moment in time.

[rdb85]

ZX10R NIN said:

here's the thing the simplest solution is to keep the Lexus everything you're listing are depreciating at the same rate a the Petrol versions so for me if you're going to spend 15k buy yourself something you want.

If you really want a hybrid then two stand out at your budget:

IS300h F Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

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

Infiniti Q50h Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Mondeo Vignale

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

That Mondeo looks interesting and they are excellent cars. I may look into them.

[rdb85]

Douglas Quaid said:

You are spending £70 a month on fuel but want something cheaper to run so are thinking of spending way more? That makes no sense. If you’re doing tiny mileage that’s when big powerful cars make sense as even a low mpg car won’t cost you much more. Get a boxster or something fun if you have teeny mileage. Or a more powerful Lexus.

I’m not sure a car with a bigger engine would help as they tend to be more complicated and are also a lot harder to sell.

[rdb85]

mindthegap said:

If your typical journey suits an EV and you have a driveway and can plug in I would be looking at that. There are some good lease deals on Leafs at the moment which would allow you to try an EV for 2 years to see how it would work for you. Probably wouldnt be cheaper though. It depends how much you want to change your Lexus

That’s not a bad idea. I may look into that. As I’ve a driveway and I know how to install the EV chargers.

[rdb85]

I don’t think I would replace my car with an ISF as they tend to be in the £20k range. I wouldn’t pay that personally for an old car.

I have been looking at the Golf GTE, which looks like it would tick all of my boxes.

[rdb85]

ZX10R NIN said:

Here's the thing you wouldn't pay 20k for an IS-F which is depreciating very slowly

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

But you'll buy a GTE that's shed 10-12k in just over a year.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I understand the ISF depreciate slowly. I wouldn’t have one though. They would be great fun no doubt. But with these big engines you need deep pockets to not only fuel it but also the maintenance.

But VW don’t make the GTE anyone so they are quite rare to see on the roads. I just can’t justify or afford a big thirsty V8.

[rdb85]

ZX10R NIN said:

No problem with not wanting one but the N/A engine is pretty much bulletproof & running costs are on par with a 340i, now the GTE isn't rare it just wasn't popular & when it comes to running costs these (just ring a dealer to see) aren't cheap.

The engines are great. It’s basically the fast version of my car. The running costs on a GTE aren’t cheap?

[rdb85]

Baldchap said:

I'm struggling to see the advantage in getting yourself fresh depreciation on another car to save a comparatively miniscule amount on fuel.

As others have tried to point out, you'll lose money overall on this.

Sounds to me like you just want a change of car and are trying to justify it to yourself. Just get it bought if you want it.

I’m just looking at options. It’s not just the fuel, but the car overall, RFL, insurance, fuel and servicing.

I’m sure many people who change cars could keep their current car, but instead opt for a new replacement. I don’t know my job may change in a years time if I am given a better opportunity and more money, which could result in a longer commute.

But at the moment I’m just considering options as the Lexus IS is fine. No harm in looking at something else.

[rdb85]

GoodDaySunday said:

In your position personally I would be keeping the IS250. Having said that I keep thinking about changing my Auris. I used to have fun/fast cars and am tempted to go there again given petrol costs aren't a concern now given I do few miles. In the last few days I've been looking at Abarths, BMW M2 (more money but should depreciate less when they stop making them) and the left field Jimny! Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for that I may have a look at that site. As I say I’m just looking at options. Cars depreciated there is no way of getting round it. Well unless you have the money to spend on some very sought after cars.

For myself a Hybrid would make sense. But it’s not a definitive decision. What I have found with the Lexus IS is that it’s not that easy to sell. As they are not popular cars and are mostly bought by loyal Lexus owners. Which in most cases many look at an ISF.

At present I am getting a good offering for my car. But i have two years left on finance, before owning it outright.