Hate hate hate looking for a new car

I hate this too. I think what you need to do is find a friend (or a friend's spouse) who does love all things car but isn't arrogant enough to assume everyone will share their own preferences, tell them things you have liked/disliked about previous cars and then let them loose to pick you something new!

We have a local chap who does this! He specialises in cheap reliable cars for first time drivers and will basically hunt for what you want.

I’m on my 3rd Ford Focus cos I like how it looks and feels so I just keep upgrading every 5 or so years (not new)

Car/sensible headed partner advice;
Reliable cars -
Hyundai
Toyota
WAG Group (VW, Audi, Seat)
Ford

Don't buy brand new as the car will depreciate instantly, full service history is a must, lowest mileage for your budget is usually the way to go

Exactly the same here though I must have had about 12 keys. The salesman absolutely left me to it and just told me to come and find him if I wanted a test drive or had questions. Best of all, he spoke to me and my DH instead of being patronising to me and just speaking to my DH. I loved the Kia Sportage bearing in mind my mechanic told me to stop buying French crap - meaning Peugeot and Citroen . When I decided on the Sportage, the salesman looked on his database and found the exact same model and spec for £3k cheaper at a branch in Yorkshire, just 10 months older and missing out on the £625 annual road tax cut off . When it arrived it was so beautifully valeted it looked brand new. Second car from Motorpoint and first Kia - love both.

Honest John website is a great help to narrow down what to look at and test drive.

You put in your requirements and then can read the reviews including which particular models have issues.

Skoda! Go to the showroom tell them what you want and your budget. Test drive a few. Walk away - they’ll call you with a deal

A Skoda Octavia is hands down the best family car for the money.

Kia

Went to the dealership we use and was told out 18 year old Rio had problems with the alternator that was going to be expensive - it also had a turbo oil leak

Saw a yellow Picanto for sale at a price in our budget

Came back with my wife to see it

Bought it

Simples

Don’t know if they are all like this but I had a fab experience at motorpoint. Wandered round the cars and chose 3 I liked, they gave me the keys so I could have a sit in and then I chose one for a test drive. Salesman just left me to it while I was browsing and sitting in the cars, no pressure tactics. I’d go back there to get my next car 100%.

I am so opposite. I know what I want. Have a budget. Visit three or four showrooms to test drive the similar cars. They are all very different to drive and in my experience you know what you like and don't like. I have found I don't like Japanese for example. Much prefer European models. Don't like SUV's. Much prefer saloons or Hatchbacks. It's a very personal.thing, and I would hate for someone else to choose for me. But then I love cars and driving.

Lack of choice. I like it.

Definitely get another Mazda if you're happy with your current one. Don't overthink it.

Just look at the model range and go up one or two steps until you get to one big enough for your needs. Then start at the bottom of the specs until you get to one that has all your desired features (cruise control, etc). Look at car supermarkets online to see if you can find one of those.

I drive a lot of hire cars, which has helped me learn what annoys me about cars and what to look out for next time I get a new one. These are lack of rear visibility, sometimes you can see hardly anything out of the sides and back and no, I don't think all the tech and sensors is the answer - can you imagine telling your insurer/the police - I hit something because the sensor didn't tell me it was there? I also don't like overly large cubbies or other obstructions between the front seats, a lot of these I constantly bang my elbow on.

@2026namechange For a family car, and being you are a Mazda owner already and presumably like the brand and trust them you can’t really go wrong with the CX30

@MrsMoastyToasty that is the B Pillar, it is wider on newer cars for safety reasons, I’ve never turned my head to reverse that’s what mirrors are for, does your new Corsa not have a reversing camera

Get a VW Caddy Life. Very versitile.

I feel the same. Need a new car or have to pay a couple of thousand to get my 11 year old car fixed. DH is all excited for my new car and is sending me pictures and links. I couldn't give a damn, I would literally drive anything. Think I will leave it to DH to pick one for me.

We got a car off Cinch last week and we're returning it due to some undisclosed faults. I would be weary of purchasing a car you haven't test driven first

Just traded in my 11 year old A3 for another A3 that is 25 reg but 3k miles on the clock. Would never buy brand new. Very pleased with it.

I had this few months ago. I would of been happy for someone to turn up with a car and say here you go. Came back with one not on my list in the end.

We go to one of those car supermarket type things and have a look around various cars all in the same place. We use Motorpoint and you just tell the dealer which cars you want to look in and they give you the keys and leave you to it. Each car has a QR code and basic info inside so you can compare them. Any you like the look of, they will let you test drive it and tell you more about it.
When you turn up you can let them guide you to what kind of car will suit you best, eg SUV, petrol, diesel, electric etc or work the basics out for yourself beforehand. Think about whether or not you like a higher up car, big boot etc.
I looked at about 10 then came home with a Kia Sportage which I love. Dont forget to make notes as you walk round or you won't remember what you liked or disliked about each car.

Make sure the back seat folds right down to give a flat deck for when you need to carry a piece of furniture. I/we did not check when we bought our Skoda Karoq. Some Fords have this problem I believe.
What is the point of a hatch back where only the back of the back seat leans forward.

If you like your Mazda, look at another in a bigger size. I have always had Mazdas until recent one (needed 7 seater) but will
go back to a Mazda when kids are older.
cx5 is lovely. If you want a bit smaller then cx30 or cx3 if you are looking for older.

We had a Mazda 3 for years with two kids. Never once failed mot.

Go for another Mazda. We lease a cx5 and can't fault it
They only have 3 different trim levels and all are decent.
We will be buying one when the lease expires

Do you want brand new, ex-demo or a few years old?
Neither me nor dh are into cars. Basically we've decided on what kind or cars we want - eg a golf and go from there.
The last time I bought a car it took me a year. I went to one showroom and just didn't feel able to make the decision.

About a year later tried a different showroom- the salesman was a young lad much more on my wavelength ( I could tell he wasn't spouting bs) and I bought a car.

I usually just look in tesco car park when doing my shopping, I make a note of the cars I like the look of. Go home and google their price. If my budget covers more than one I might google mpg and boot size to help choose. I've then always just bought the first one I've test driven as I've lost the will to live by then. Totally with you OP.