Which new (to me) car for 12k?

[Apolitia]

Currently driving an ultra reliable but ancient, small Japanese car.

Single parent, do about 8k miles a year and this will probably increase to around 10k over the next few years for various reasons relating to elderly care and not being able to afford overseas holidays involving flights in the next few years.

my lovely mum has offered me some money toward a newer car and I’m considering a Skoda Kamiq, or Seat Arona or some form of used Kia or Toyota because of the warranties. Would love a RAV-4 but I don’t think I can run to a decent one. Used car obviously.

Budget is 12k or thereabouts.

essentials in descending order of importance are:

-reliability, cost of repairs and running costs
-insurance costs (I live on a main road with no off road parking so £££)
-space: dog and two hulking teens
-comfort for long drives. We will be doing at least 2 1200km journeys each year
-needs to have a warranty/ consumer protection, so needs to come from a dealer, I can’t chance a private sale.
—needs to be ULEZ exempt and not electric or hybrid unless the battery is just a ‘nice to have’. Bitter experience of being stung for a replacement battery for a MHEV in the past.

I don’t care much about looks, power or styling but would appreciate a decent music system.

also why does mumsnet not have a car section? I’m not asking pistonheads 😂

if you also actually do have a bread machine I would be inclined to trust your recommendation. In the Venn diagram of life I am a bread-making, sensible car driving, sort of person.

Thanks this is useful, looking at 2018/2019 models so maybe just before the change.
Trying to avoid Peugeot, Renault, Citroen so back to the drawing board. Just saw one in nice condition, full service history, low mileage etc near me and in budget, but don't know much about them

LOL @Apolitia the more you write the more you need a Jap/Korean car. They are the reliable white goods of the automotive world, although Mazda has that slightly more sporting bent to it.

VW tiguan or t roc
We have both. The tiguan is a 65 plate. Paid 10.5k with 65k on the clock 2 years ago.
Never had any issues other than an oil pressure sensor. Had full service history .

Something like a Honda Civic, not flash so would be cheaper on insurance and still easier to drive than an SUV. Far too many have SUV's and can't park them. Please consider that if you are going from a small hatchback to a larger car, particularly if parking is difficult living on a main road.

You are obsessed with Mazdas. Other cars are available

The problem is the days of saying all French cars are bad and all Japanese cars are good is long gone since there are alliances and partnerships all over.

Nissan and Renault are the same parent company hence a Qashqai and a Kadjar are the same car underneath. Even some Mercedes A Class have Renault engines!

For tiny cars the Aygo/C1/108 are all the same car underneath and are reliable as they all have the Toyota engine!

Do you actually need to replace your current car yet?

I know it’s totally childish but who on earth thought Stonic was a good name for a car in the uk?? :) It makes me think of something vaguely erectile for some reason, but then I am a bit weird with words.

have seen a few Stonics advertised… Maybe I should go beyond the name shame….

We’ve had two Kamiq’s and love them

Oh Christ what do I buy!?
I have had a terrible experience with a Citroen C4 and just can't do it to myself again.
I do need something with a bit more space, especially in the boot and have a 6'4 husband who will also drive it, so the aygos and swifts of my youth are a no.
Budget won't stretch to Skoda or VW
Lots of MG ZS available but is the old MG reputation still valid? I get palpitations at the moment when I need petrol because it's the same noise as the check engine light and I'm not sure which one comes on more frequently. So reliability is first and foremost , closely followed by space. I can park without issue and had a job for a number of years with pool and hire cars of all sizes so not worried about that.

ETA found out last week my Citroen has the same engine as a BMW one series! I'd be even more pissed off if I'd paid BMW money

Honest John is a great website for reading reviews on new and older cars.

Ha @ the Stonic! Same car as the Hyundai Kona. They are definitely on the cheaper and flimiser side of the spectrum. Again it depends if you want a mini SUV like them or more of a family car like the mazda 3 or Hyundai i30 or if you want a standard size SUV like the Qashqai/Kadjar.

If you have a budget then you pick the most reliable, newest car that you can afford. It's not rocket science.

@MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira let me know what cars you seriously consider.

DH is 6'3" with arthritis and he loves our C4 Picasso, nearly everything else we try it's uncomfortable for his bloody knees.

Fortunately we've had minimal issues with the C4 but it's not the grand version.

Check the new car tax figures in the budget first.

Do you need to be so rude? I'm sure there are plenty of things I know plenty about that you don't.
There are lots of contradictory reviews etc so how do I know which is the most reliable/vfm. My comment wasn't even addressed to you it was a reply to another poster who clearly had more knowledge on this topic.

I will! We're going out to test drive a few tomorrow, I actually liked the C4 but it's given us nothing but trouble the last two years and it still has low mileage. The AA man and our trusted mechanic have both basically said the engines are terrible!

Then just choose the car you like. No newish cars are designed to last more than about 7 years without needing something serious done anyway.

@MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira In that case I would say if you want a car then the Mazda 3 or Hyundai i30 are the best bets but if you want the higher seating position then the SUV of the Qashqai or Kadjar 1.3s should be in budget. I like basic spec as less to go wrong.

MG is just a faceless Chinese brand. They bought the MG brand as it sounds good but they have no history with the old MG whatsoever.

Interestingly nobody is saying Ford or Vauxhall! If reliability trumps all then Japanese/Korean wins.

I'm not a fan of Skoda/Seat/VW/Audi as they're all wind and no water. Trading off a really old reputation for reliability which is long gone.

Thank you so much for your help it's appreciated, we're off out tomorrow to have a look at a few things and see what we can find outside of autotrader (and if DHs legs fit in them)

I'm not a fan of Skoda/Seat/VW/Audi as they're all wind and no water. Trading off a really old reputation for reliability which is long gone

I don't agree. The Audi a3 is a superb car although out of the OPs budget.

Many happy VW and Skida drivers out there.

It’s 17 years old and I can’t get breakdown insurance to take it to the EU so yes, I do unfortunately. I need something really reliable to get to/from elderly parents at short notice. They live somewhere poorly served by airports and I also have responsibilities here including a full time job so reliable transport really essential :(

it’s a fantastic cheap ULEZ car, it’s my 3rd second-hand tiny Honda, and I’m annoyed I have to get rid of it as it’s perfectly serviceable. It’s just too much of a risk on longer intercontinental journeys unfortunately. Plus, my kids are coming up to learning-to-drive age and it’s an auto which is less than ideal. They need to learn in a manual.

If you need a bigger car at the the more reasonable end of the spectrum, the Nissan XTrail is a good shout with the 1.6 diesel engine. They're a handsome car and largely reliable. Got more road presence than the Qashqai and a bit more space. The engine is solid as an ox as its an old tried and tested Renault lump.

I should also point out that every single car Ive mentioned has a timing chain rather than a timing belt. Lesser cars like anything VW etc use a timing belt which needs replacing at 5 years old and costs a few hundred quid so if buying 2nd hand check it has been done. The good old japs and koreans tend to fit chains which last forever.