Changing from huge car to smaller - is it too small?

[Definitelynotme2022]

I currently have huge Audi Q7 - it's a 7 seater sporty top of the range one, and I love it. But, it's 15 years old and has had one niggly thing after the other. I don't need anything so big, it costs me a fortune in diesel and tax and I need to get something reliable and smaller. And cheaper to run!

My bf is really helpful as he's been in the motortrade for 20+ years but he works with highend, and I don't want to put it all onto him when I'm struggling to make a decision.

I've been looking at a Ford Puma, probably a top spec ST Line, but I'm concerned that it's going to be too small and I might end up hating it. Or I've looked at a Ford Kuga and a Kia Sportage (bf is too keen on this one, says I can get better). Or do I suck it up and get a smaller Audi, maybe a Q3, but will be older than the Puma.

The Puma makes a lot of sense financially, cheap to run, tax and insure, but then anything does compared to my Q7! I do really like them, but it's the first car I've bought on my own since splitting up with xh and I want to get it right.

I have up to £18k cash to spend, and don't want finance to top up.

Here's a smaller Audi Q7, and it's electric.

Have you thought about VW Tiguan’s? The 2020+ ones are very nice and in your budget. The luxury will be similar to an Audi but you keep the higher driving position and it’s a good size between being a “big car” and fitting in parking spaces easily.

That should work well with the ULEZ!

Actually I haven't. I'd looked at, and discounted, a Golf. Thank you, I will have a proper look.

Have you test driven any of them yet? That will probably focus your decision quite quickly, you'll really notice if something doesn't handle as well as your Audi. And it's something I think you'd find annoying as an ongoing thing

Go for the A3.

I've recently got rid of my 12 year old Q5. It was costing a small fortune to run and maintain each month. I've now got a Mazda CX-5, it was definitely the best of that mid tier in brands and is fully loaded spec wise (air cooled seats are the best) but I genuinely miss the Audi quality every day.

Look at Skoda, I'm a huge fan and currently drive a Superb Combi (estate) L&K which is a high spec model, it's what suits me at the moment but they have various models to pick from. Highly reliable, comfortable and spacious. I test drove an A7 Estate but chose the Skoda, I found it more comfortable and a nicer drive.

IMO Fords are nowhere near as plush and nice to drive as Audis.

But they are a lot cheaper to run.

So really depends where your focus is. I am sure you could find a relatively new Q3 for 18K.

Not quite sure why you wouldn't ask your bf to help sort something out if they have 20+ years in the trade !

Thank you for all your replies, I'm now looking at smaller Audi's.

My bf will most definitely help me find something, but he's trying not to influence my choice apart from telling me if the car I'm looking at is going to cost me a fortune in fuel or has a bad rep. We're super happy together, but haven't actually been together that long.

My sister has a Kia sportage GT line and it's as nice to drive as my Audi sq5. You get a good warranty with a Kia as well.

My Kia Sportage GT line S is great, it has 360 cameras, parking assist so I can pull it in and out of a space using the key fob if I need to, cooled and heated seats front and possibly back too and is super easy to drive. Also has adaptive cruise control. I have an AWD Phev and MPG is around 60. Don’t let your boyfriend put you off checking different brands.

If you’re looking at VW, look at Skoda. Same platform, but less money. Karoq or Kodiaq. Or Toyota Rav. Especially if reliability is important.