AIBU to wonder how on earth do people afford new cars ?

I’m not going to argue with those who think every claimant is in desperate need and there is no fraud. It’s futile. Those that know that there is a large amount of fraud know for a reason. It does detract and take resources away from those in need but until people are willing to have a real conversation about it then we’re just going to go round in circles. I have a very distance relative who claims PIP for her ‘bad back’. There’s nothing wrong with her. It isn’t hard to play the system if you know how

My husband had a brand new car on pcp for under 300 a month. Also a lot of people on PIP qualify for motability so would have a new car

You can afford it, just have other priorities, a lifestyle you are
maintaining in other ways (absolutely up to the individual how his/her money is spent). The thread is about being clueless how others afford it.

"We earn combined £185k and still can’t afford a new car. We drive a 17yr old one that is continually on the verge of collapse."

😂 Not affording something on a wage that would rival the prime minister, having other priorities and a "nice" lifestyle is entirely different to not affording something. It is an insult to people who are actually struggling.

No where did I say driving that car was my only choice – inferring that sounds like a you problem.

Yes after mortgage, childcare, house repairs, commuting costs and bills – no I don't have £30k to drop on a new Ford Focus – and certainly not the £70–100k+ cars that OP is talking about – and paying for one on credit seems like a very dumb and unnecessary decision while I still have a mortgage and young children to pay for. Forgive me for being financially sensible, I guess ...

Ours is the same, was an in stock offer so under £300 a month with no upfront payment.

I don't usually make these comments but come on using the word cannot afford when you are on £185k is slightly wrong.

You have obviously made other decisions on how to spend the money and so maybe you don't have enough left for high car payments but to say that driving a falling apart 17yo car is your only choice is a bit wrong.

Apart from my extremely wealthy friend (£1m joint annual income) everyone I know with a nice ‘new’ car leases it. My dad did the same and always had a new flashy car every couple of years. No doubt a lot of people thought he bought them. Our cleaner has a lovely new Land Rover – leased.

We earn combined £185k and still can’t afford a new car. We drive a 17yr old one that is continually on the verge of collapse.

Some jobs you would need to prioritise a car as appearance is important. Some ethnic minorities prioritise a nice car to prove they've made it in new country. Some posh cars depreciate fast so can get a newish one much cheaper than you'd expect

We lease, and shop around for deals. I have had some very lovely cars for under £300. If you don’t choose the color and options you can get over stocks for really good prices.

We don’t like holidays much so don’t spend in them, it’s all about your priorities. Although we also own houses, I wouldn’t spend money on anything else until I had at least one rung on the ladder (we have 3).

saving a decent amount each month is probably what a lease costs- but you are still saddled with the mot service etc so leasing may be better for you in that senario

Lease, PCP, HP. When interest rates were lower, there were some good deals. A few years ago I paid £160 a month for a brand new Honda and the lease included MOT, servicing, maintenance. Next car was much swankier - a Ford Puma - and that was £250 a month. My current car I bought. I slightly resent driving an older car for not much less money, but I needed to have something a bit more insurable for young people.

The advance payment is generally optional though- I have a mid range 24 plate Suzuki s cross that didn’t cost me a penny.

Lots of people get trapped in a cycle of PCP / lease arrangements - it's more expensive overall and paying monthly makes it harder to save. But its also very convenient and we choose to lease even though we could buy an older car outright. There are some good deals around if you are happy to get whatever car is on offer and don't have a specific make / model in mind.

Its not too dissimilar to renting too, you can generally rent in a nicer area than you can afford to buy and you can finance / lease a nicer car than you can afford to buy too.

How dare some people have nicer things than me!

Actually on Mumsnet it seems to be ‘how dare people who I deem to be of an underclass have nice things? Either you can afford a full lifestyle of nice things or I’ll assume that the one or two luxury items you have are gained illegally/immorally/as personal spite to me and my large income’.

The mean-spiritedness of some people just depresses me. Is this who we are as a society now.
How dare some people have nicer things than me!
Who cares what car other people drive and where the money came from?

It's a mixture. Some people have prefer to lease cars, others have inheritance and buy nice cars which will last, some use their PIP for get mobility cars and are more than happy to pay the extra to have a larger vehicle, some have company cars and some make their money from cash in hand work/criminal activities.

I think they are also failing to grasp the crucial fact that these ‘fancy brand new cars’ aren’t being given to ‘undeserving’ disabled people just to maximally exploit government money, but because it is the most cost effective way of doing things. New car = little to no repairs, no MOT and can be sold on for a good price by Motability at the end of the lease. Older cars would be a nightmare for them in terms of fleet management and maintenance.

Re: your ‘washing the car’ comment - you really are spectacularly tone deaf and ignorant as to what life with a disability can really look like. You obviously have no idea what you’re talking about, stop spouting such bigoted nonsense.

Sorry, I meant to say I couldn't afford to buy a brand new car outright, but I could afford those monthly payments on a Loan or HP.

Different life choices and priorities?

I could afford a brand new car, either bought outright, with HP or through loans at those monthly costs, but I'm content with my 20 year old Volvo and when it dies, I'll probably get another second hand car which I'll buy outright.

We earn well. I'm not a car person, although my DH is, but he likes big vehicles that I don't wish to drive.

We prioritise fun, going out when we want, and having a beautiful home that is owned outright.

I couldn’t afford one either. Until my 10yo car died and I had no choice. You cut your cloth as they say.

Some of the stereotypical nonsense coming out here, I’m shocked certain posters haven’t suggested that these undeserving people of motability cars aren’t also sticking 50 inch tvs in the back for all 200 of their kids that the government are paying for on top. All whilst they have to go chop wood for their poor, exceeding wealthy parents so they don’t freeze in their big house in the Home Counties this winter 🥺

Some people will prioritise a car over other standards of living.
Even, say, in run down areas such as mine, there are a disproprtionate amount of what I'd call 'flash' cars.
I guess some may be Motability PIP related, others may be HP, other forms of loans etc.

I get the idea that the other poster would also be angry if PIP cars weren’t maintained. I don’t think they have a clue.