Help me choose between two cars

[MissIndecisive2023]

My old VW Golf is falling apart and I’m going back to what I know which is a ford focus. As I am the world’s most indecisive person ever please don’t try to move my away from a focus as I’ve had one before, it’s known, and it’s also taken me about 2 years to come to that decision and I don’t have time to start again!

Went to the dealer today because I saw a car on their website that ticked all my boxes - 1 litre focus, mild hybrid, 2020 plate, 13000 miles, heated seats, within price range, like the colour etc etc.

Saw the car, and it’s nice, but then I saw it’s hotter, sexier, slightly more expensive friend next to it. Black, sleek, tinted rear windows, black interior, 1.5 litre engine, more oomph to drive. BUT it’s a 2019 car, 18000 miles, no heated seats, and more expensive (but right at top of budget, not outside). Would also be slightly more to insure.

So now I am stuck. My head says absolutely go for the sensible option, the insurance will be less, the hybrid will mean better fuel economy, it’s newer, fewer miles, it has things like heated seats and a rear cup holder thing that the other one doesn’t have.

But my heart really likes the other one. My last 2 car purchases have been sensible and boring because they have had to be - I went from a sports car to a very dull grey low spec focus so my now ExH could learnt to drive, and then I got the golf because the focus got old and I felt I needed a more secure car for the kids. The black car would absolutely be an indulgent treat for myself that would be more pleasurable, but also more expensive to drive.

So what do I do? Head or heart?!

I suppose it depends on how much you like your heated seats?

Lol I’ve never had them before - you can’t miss what you’ve never had, right?!

Get the sexy car

I would go for the newer one if you like the look of it. We had a 1.5 diesel Focus and used to get about 600 miles to a tank which is pretty good, not sure what the hybrid gets? I just can’t imagine it having a 1L engine in it, to me it sounds like it just wouldn’t quite be enough. The 1.5 was really nippy and fun to drive

this won’t help… but we do now have a Kuga with heated seats and they are lovely

These are both petrol so the mpg isn’t going to great in either but will certainly be better in the blue mild hybrid one. It’s got some oomph - it used the battery power to help with acceleration

Go for the one you love, you may not be able to afford to do it, or there may be another reason you can't next time. Life's too short!

I got heated seat and steering wheel in my car, honestly fantastic when you get into a freezing cold car on an icy morning. I would choose the sensible car, sorry, in the long run the other car will cost more to insure and more in petrol. Mine is a mild hybrid and I can get really decent mpg in it because of this.

I am so used to making the sensible choice. Even the kids (who haven’t seen either) say the blue one - I’m pleased they are at least weighing up the pros and cons and going for the most sensible option but I still want the other one!

I just don’t want to regret my choice. That’s what I’m worried about. In truth both would be fine. Both are an improvement to my current car. But the black one is so pretty!

Hi @MissIndecisive2023
I was recently in a similar situation. I viewed a sporty beautiful car, decided to buy it. Over the next few days i looked at some other cars, saw one same brand but 1 year newer, practical, more space inside and lower mileage. I really went back and forth about it but decided to go with the practical one. I'd go with head over heart 😁

Any regrets @Summer2424 ?

So insurance wise, despite the black one being 3 groups above the blue, I’ve had a quote from my existing provider and the black one would
only be £10 per year more expensive.

Buy the one you want!

One year and 5 k miles is nothing. They’re barely run in. I went from a leather interior with heated seats to one without. I’ll take a hot water bottle with me in the winter. 🤪
If the one you love is in budget then buy it. Life is too short !

I don't love either. The only car I've ever loved was my 2 seater sports car and it's not practical to get another one of those (yet!).

I prefer the black but as more of a gut feel than anything particularly tangible.

I've tried imagining which I would feel more disappointed about not getting, imagining I went back to the garage and one of them had been sold. But then it would mean someone had made the decision for me and would feel like fate so there would be a sense of relief that I no longer had to make the decision!

Truthfully I would be more disappointed if the black one had sold

Are you town driving - I live in the sticks and would go for a bright colour on twisty country roads

What’s the difference in price?

You could buy the cheaper car and save the difference into your ‘to buy a car I love fund when I don’t need a sensible car anymore’.

I'm sorry this is so painful! This is every day of my life!!

Yes city driving and occasional motorways.

£500

Have you done the insurance quote comparisons for them yet? Insurance is wild this year. I would have said go for the sexy one - but heated seats would be a big miss personally ..

Yep. £9 per year difference.

Don't fear regretting it. Like most decisions in life, it's not un-changeable and making mistakes is allowed 😊

18,000 miles is nothing on a 19 plate car

Re the heated seats I’ve never had them, so I don’t feel too bothered about them. But can totally see that once you’d had them you wouldn’t want to go without!