How to choose a car

[TickledOnion]

I need a new car. My last one was on a PCP thing that is now finished. Its a 2015 Ford Focus. I do about 18000 miles per year so diesel is probably more economical. I’m going to stick with a Ford Focus and want one that is newer with few miles and without paying much more per month in a PCP over the same period.
Except that’s not possible. I can pay the same monthly over a longer period. Or pay more per month over the same period. Or get an older car. Or get a car with higher mileage. But I have no idea which of these to compromise on.
Can anyone help please?

Why do you need a new car? Is it that your current card doesn't actually belong to you ?

A Diesel engine is usually good to up to 200,000 miles
Rough rule of thumb is that cars cost, either more upfront or slightly bigger maintenance bills.
Buying second hand private can be cheapest option provided you have a friendly mechanic to do the viewing and test drive

Because it’s a PCP, I either have to give it back or pay off the remaining value in 1 go which I can’t afford.
I’ve only ever bought from a main dealer.

The one I have at the moment has been perfect. It was almost new so has cost very little to maintain. I just want the same thing again but I had a little more money last time so could put down a bigger deposit.

How much more per month is it over the same period?

It’s at least £320 per month for the newest model. Or for a 2017 or 2018 with less than 20,000 miles it would be £220-£250.
I have been paying £200.

Would you be happy to keep your current car? The dealership may offer to refinance the balloon payment or you could try and get a bank loan to cover the amount.

Much as I love my current car, it was quite a basic model and I’d really like sat nav, parking sensors and cruise control.

I think writing it all down has helped me work out what I want. I’m going to increase the monthly payments. I want a newer car with a better spec so I’ll have to pay more and maybe have a slightly higher mileage than I was hoping for.

You can renegotiate your final payment? That's what I did when my PCP ended so I'm now paying off the balloon payment.

Why don’t you get a loan to do the balloon payment? How much would monthly costs of that be? I’ve got a 10yo diesel focus and it’s still going strong, I’d expect it to do another 5 years. Dh’s mondeo just died with 200,000 miles on the clock.

Sorry, just seen you want the newer car, better spec so will up monthly payments.

Are you fixed on a focus? Just bought a new car last month (to replace the mondeo) and while initially wanted another ford (a focus) ended up getting an Astra estate. Price was cheaper than fords. And their sat nav s are better.

I’m only fixed on a Focus because I’ve had them in the past, they seem reliable and I find choosing a car overwhelming.

I would go with the 2017/18 model if it is only an extra £20 to £50 a month.

In your position I would buy a used 2-3 year old car on finance. At least you would own it at the end when you've finished paying it off.

You haven't said what you mostly use it for and whether you have passengers (children in car seats? Dog in the boot?) so it's very hard to advise on actual models but if you're looking at similar cars to a Focus, I would suggest a Skoda Octavia (if you want more space) or Fabia (if you would be fine with a bit less). They are well designed and good value for money.

For someone who doesn't know where to start, the what car used car reviews are very helpful:
www.whatcar.com/used-reviews

PS Please don't get diesel, they are shocking for the environment. If you can't stretch to hybrid (I'm guessing not) go for a fuel efficient petrol engine.

I was actually reading an interesting article the other day that modern euro 6 Diesel engines are not only better for the environment than petrol cars but also better than hybrid engines.

Am off for a google to see if I can back that up!

Ooh interesting!

www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/is-diesel-actually-better-for-the-environment/

The article I read said that with the particulate filters they’re so good now the emissions which come out a diesel car are actually cleaner than the air the car takes in (in a city). So they’re actually cleaning the air!

www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/environment/2018/06/22/new-diesels-found-to-be-71-cleaner-than-petrol-models

OP, if you have a smartphone, you don't really need a car with in-built satnav, you just need Apple CarPlay (or the Android equivalent) and you can get sat nav via google maps or another app on your phone.

I agree parking sensors are a must though! still managed to scrape my car

Do people use cruise control much? I've used mine a bit but all the motorways I've been on have mostly been too congested. I guess I don't do a lot of long distance driving so I'm not the best person to comment.

SleepyKat thanks for sharing, I stand corrected!

Even with android auto or apple one you still need a touch screen console with the new phone laws coming in you won’t be able to touch your phone when using it as a sat nav.

You can get Halfords to fit such a unit....I did and it cost me £350 fitted for a kenwood one. And cost £105 for rear parking sensors, a bloke came to my house and did them on the drive.

No worries, there’s a lot of myths about diesel.

When I got my first diesel years ago the govt were encouraging everyone to get them as more efficient/better for the environment. Then came the fudging of the figures scandal and a bit of a knee jerk reaction against them.

I understand generally diesels were better for the environment but worse for individuals/people. But now with the better engines and less particulate emissions even the risk to people is significantly lowered.

I am interested in electric/hydrogen cars but I also worry about the impact the batteries will have on the environment. I think they’re not the saviour of motoring that they’re currently being pedalled as. I hope I’m wrong.

Lots to think about there. Thank you everyone.
I commute 70 miles on fairly clear motorways each day. That’s why I thought diesel would be better. I also ferry 2DCs + occasionally friends around the rest of the time. I definitely don’t want anything smaller than a Focus and do still want a hatchback.