£50k to spend on a family car. Go!

[themainline]

Anyone know anything about cars? We live in central(ish) London and have never needed one until now with the arrival of our second child.

Car needs to be big enough for 2 car seats to fit comfortably at the back plus a big boot for the double buggy and Ddog. Will probably only use it to do the weekly shop plus day trips out of London from time to time.

We are paying cash (as opposed to getting it on finance) does that give us any bargaining power when buying a car?

DH and I have just bought a new family car. Slightly different criteria to you but I will share my thoughts.

We looked at hybrids because we are conscious of the environment; we didn't go for one in the end because we didn't find one that ticked all our boxes, but we decided to buy a used petrol car (because it's more ethical to buy used than brand new) with an efficient engine and low emissions. The car we bought is only 1 year old and has a very low mileage so it feels like a brand new car except that it was significantly cheaper.

We wanted plenty of leg room and a large boot. We don't have a dog but we do have one child and would like a second. We also want them to rear face for as long as possible which means needed extra cabin space for rear facing car seats. However, I didn't want an absolutely huge car. So we went for the Skoda Octavia which has a big boot and decent leg room (although not amazing I must say). I think you will need something bigger because of your dog. Check out the Skoda Superb, we ruled it out for being a bit too big but it might suit you. Skodas are not fashionable but they are very well designed - lots of cabin and boot space for the external dimensions of the car - and they are owned by VW so they have the same/similar quality parts for a lower price. Of course for your budget you might just want a more premium brand.

If you're interested in hybrids, check out the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. I ruled it out (too big for my liking) but as you need space it could be a good one. If you buy a used one that was registered before April 2017 (IIRC) it will be exempt from road tax.

PS We ruled out these cars for not having enough boot space: VW Golf, Ford Focus, Kia Niro.

Beanie is that you ??

Sooo much jealously! And for the people saying donate the money to charity who’s to say the OP hasn’t already donated £50k to charity!? Live & let live jeez

Hyundai Tuscon, same spec as much more expensive cars, five year warranty and you’ll have a lot change leftover. I love mine.

I don't think there's any jealousy here. I think people are trying to be helpful; the op seems absolutely clueless about cars and what might be a reasonable investment considering her circumstances. I think people are genuinely trying to make some money saving suggestions.

It would be a lot cheaper just to get taxis everywhere - oh but money's no object, is it?

Central? Think about a hybrid or electric then. Lexus maybe?

A Volco xc60 is your obvious choice.

But its a waste of money. Get your shopping delivered and hire a car for days out when you need it.

If you spend £50k in cash on a car in your circs then with that kind of financial decision making either (i) you won't have that kind of money for long (ii) you have so much money that you should have advisors to tell you what car to buy.

Volvo XC90.

I suggest you ask the AA/RAC for advice.
They are very good at leading you into the right direction.

If you want to go for the top of your budget I'd buy a Tesla. If you don't want to spend it all then either a 60kw new Leaf or a Kia e-Nero if you can get one.

Electric would make a lot of sense if you live in London.

If it is kept off-road then probably an electric one would be best as there is a ULEZ isn’t there in central London

Toyota SUV. Bought mine used 2 years ago paid 13 thousand cash. Toyotas are built to last and they do. We have 3 Toyotas. You wont be disappointed.

Hyundai Tucson ?

Oh wow this thread has flared up!

To answer a few points:
Car clubs/Zipcar: we've used Zipcar in the past but with 2 small children and the next size up car seat for the toddler it's just not practical anymore. I can't lug around a massive car seat in taxis etc., with one baby car seat it's easy because it clips on to the buggy frame but now we have 2 it's a little difficult.

All the questions about charity..?! We give to charity, we also pay an obscene amount of tax.

Yes we have a parking space, it's underground in our building (central London = apartment living!). I might have a nosy down there and look at all the other cars rather than getting ripped to shreds on here 😬

If it a newish building? Ours is oldish and the car park is small - so you need to wax down the car with axel grease to get it around the entrance and the spaces are tiny!

Measure your parking space. DHs Mercedes is ridiculously wide.

Oh, and we are just outside, west of the current ULEZ but I think it's expanding isn't it? And if it does, even by a mile west then we'll be in it. Hadn't thought about that so thanks to those who bought it up!

Well with your budget id get a gorgeous brand new range rover with personalised number plates or a too of the range motorhome or campervan!

And or go for an electric or hybrid car.

I bought a 3yo focus estate a few years ago. Ex motability car so low milagge and good service history. Would meet your requirements. Now ten years old and apart from new tyres, brake pads and battery it's not cost me anything.

The planet is dying. If you have to have a car buy a small electric one. Breaks my heart seeing people in hulking great cars as the planet literally burns.

I have a vauxhall astra estate which fits two car seats in easily with the middle seat still usable and can fit a large dog in the boots, also fits a months shop in the boot. However an estate may be too big for the reality of parking in London. Prior to this car I had a ford focus, which fitted both car seats in and you can get a dog in the boot but not a lot else. The best advice I had was to go around the different showrooms and look at the cars, sit in them look at the boots etc then decide. You don't even have to walk in with the intention of buying on that day but it will help more than we can as cars are quite a personal preference thing.

We have a Volvo XC60. Lovely to drive, super spacious in the boot for our two dogs, easily fits a pushchair, nice blackened windows in the rear for DS. fantastic on mpg. Brought it for £15,200 at 18 months old with 11k miles on. It will last us years.