That spending circa £25k on a 2nd hand car is not frivolous

Depending on the size you’re after, £25k is a good amount. We usually buy 3year old cars and drive them for 10 years. Our old smax was £9500, which felt a lot back then in 2013. Cars cost more now. We replaced it with a top spec (one down from top as I don’t like leather seats) last May and paid £25,500. I’m really happy with it (although there’s lots of fancy things that could go wrong, but I’m ignoring that).

If you’re after a small town run around, £25k is a lot and £16k would probably get what you need/want.

In your position YANBU, cars have increased so much in price over the last few years, so you'll get a far worse car for the same price as you spent last time. Has rocketing inflation completely passed your DH by?

You also have savings, and keep your car for the long term, which is good. It's when cars are paid for with debt and/or people swap every couple of years or so that they end up losing money.

Car prices are bonkers ATM!
All depends on what you need it for. I spend a lot of money on my cars but I do 400 miles a week so it’s worth it to me for comfort (and I get a car allowance from work) If I was only doing the school run I’d quite happily have another fiesta…

Nobody can say as they don't know your earnings, commitments and savings. I think purchsses at this level need both your agreement.
I've just spent £45k on a secondhand car, prior to that most was £10k and significantly less for decades.

25k unfortunately isn't a lot of money for a decent late 2nd hand car nowadays.
I'd definitely go towards Volvo/Toyota/VAG rather than mazda though. I've had numerous from the VW group and loved each one.

If you spent 16k ten years ago, why does he think you should only spend 16k now?

Clearly car prices have gone up in the last ten years, so for that same 16k you will be getting a much inferior car to your last purchase

Why does he want you to buy an inferior car (to your last one), it will be less safe, less efficient, less reliable etc etc

I think 25k is a hell of a lot of money to spend on a car, new or otherwise. You could get a car for a lot less so yes, it is frivolous inasmuch as frivolous means "not absolutely necessary".

This said, if you can't afford it, there's absolutely no reason why you can't get yourself something nice that you want.

However, as it is a big purchase, it is reasonable for your husband to want to discuss it first.

We just spent £11K on an 8 year old Honda CRV and have been stressing about it so much that our health is suffering.

I can only dream of a 25K budget.

Late last year we bought a 4 year old Volvo XC40 with 30,000 miles for £23k

Only regret is that Apple Car play isn't compatible in pre 2022 models, even with the add on, it's not perfect.

Otherwise, great car.

Until then we'd had Toyotas for years. Also great cars

I think YABU but I couldnt justifying spending that much on a car even if I had that money knocking around. However, I guess it depends on your lifestyle and finances.

Unlike other posters on this thread, I have only ever had a good experience with my Mazda. I paid 6k for my early 2010s Mazda Axela, and it hasnt cost me a penny in the two and half years I have owned it despite the mileage racking up.

Completely get this. In a similar boat (actually, almost identical), and while our finances allow, I still feel horridly frivolous spending that amount.

But frankly, I can't find a car which is going to suit what we're looking for outside that budget!

You should both agree big purchases OP . 25k is a lot, split the difference .
Marriage is about compromise

7 years ago I spent £30,000 on a car that was two years old, still love it but when I’ve had it 10 years I’ll get a new one and spend about £30k again.

our 2nd hand Volvo a few yrs ago
was 20k and it was more than 3 yrs old! Cars are expensive these days!

Be careful that whatever you buy doesn’t fall into the higher rate road fund licence category. Even if the car is less than the threshold second hand, if it was over it as a new vehicle, you still have to pay the higher fee.

Do you actually know anything about cars as this is nonsense!

After owning seven Toyotas, I read the hype and bought a small Mazda to replace my ten year old Yaris. The build quality was a disappointment and I got rid of it after five years as it was starting to feel knackered.

I paid £29k five years ago for an ex-demo Mercedes C300 with 100 mls on the clock. It still drives like new, doesn't have that unsafe and annoying touchscreen dash seen everywhere now, and I fully intend to run it into the ground.

To me, £25k is a reasonable sum to spend on a second hand vehicle, but not on a Madza. As pp said, get a Volvo instead.

With respect of course you’d get a decent car for a heck of a lot less! A lot less than £16k too. Many of us do! My car was a fraction of that and runs well/is rust free. But each to their own. Buy what you want if you can afford it.

@Pipsquiggle so what car does your husband drive? is his always bought brand new???

I would expect to discuss a purchase this size with my partner. I guess the question for me is, have you looked at what you could get for 16k, or 18k? What is the extra nine grand buying you? I spent 13k on a second hand car a year ago and am very happy with it. But absolutely if you have the money, in the end it's your call.

What the hell are you on about?

You have absolutely no idea what you're saying

I'm shocked at second hand cars being so expensive. I bought a 1 year old Kia sarento for 26k in 2021, so to hear a Mazda with that many years is £25k is shocking.

Sorry not much help I know to the original question.

Decent Volvos are £60k-£100k new these days and you wouldn’t get a 2-3 year old one for £25k

DH paid 20k for a 2nd hand car a decade ago, it was six months old and from a dealer. It’s still going strong and has passed every MOT no issue.