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Original poster

What cars should we look at?!

28 replies

IsThisOneFree · 02/02/2025 12:34

For dp?

He’s changing jobs…same industry but away from his niche, provincial bit and into something more “public!”

He’s so not a status symbol wanker but he…will need to be respected by people who are/will notice What He Drives🙄 (yes, I know!)

Economical/environmentally responsible as possible, usually only him in it, will have very high mileage.

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 02/02/2025 14:16

What’s the budget?
Do you want electric, hybrid or plug in hybrid, or petrol?
Do you want to buy outright, lease or PCP?
New or used?

Original poster
IsThisOneFree · 02/02/2025 16:16

Up to £400 monthly payment and £2500 deposit. Happy to consider all options.

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 02/02/2025 16:56

Toyota C-HR
Toyota Corolla
Skoda Karoq
Skoda Enyaq
Kia Sportage
Ford Puma
Ford Kuga
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Bayron

nodtik · 02/02/2025 17:09

Volvo XC40

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 17:13

If it's high mileage that pretty much rules out EVs at the moment. So for eco/envoronmental that means a hybrid of some sort.

I2amonlyhereforTheBeer · 02/02/2025 17:16

Second hand BMW or Audi. I'd go for that over Toyota, Kia Sportage or Suzuki.

Original poster
IsThisOneFree · 02/02/2025 18:04

Thanks lots for starting us off!

It’s “socially acceptable” to look at Sokda these days? Good to know!

I used to think diesel was the best option for high mileage but there seem to be a lot of petrol hybrids. Please could someone explain that one to me?

OP posts:
Mari01 · 02/02/2025 18:11

400 budget and 2500 deposit wont get you all that much tbh, Im looking at the moment. On a skoda karoq/kodiaq with a 5500 deposit & 12k annual mileage the monthly payments were 500/600 (new car PCP)

Jabbabong · 02/02/2025 18:13

His interactions and attitude during the first two weeks of employment will determine if he's respected as a colleague.

The car he drives not of any consequence.

Mari01 · 02/02/2025 18:13

And I would never put 5500 deposit down on a PCP car btw, but thats what they were quoting

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 18:18

IsThisOneFree · 02/02/2025 18:04

Thanks lots for starting us off!

It’s “socially acceptable” to look at Sokda these days? Good to know!

I used to think diesel was the best option for high mileage but there seem to be a lot of petrol hybrids. Please could someone explain that one to me?

You're right - diesel was the sensible choice when the focus was on CO2, but now the concern about nitrogen oxides and particulates has changed that.

Our main criteria have always prioritised fuel economy in a decent sized car so we had diesels in the past but now Toyota Corollas.

rainythursdayontheavenue · 02/02/2025 18:19

I'd look at a VW for that money.

CerealPosterHere · 02/02/2025 18:20

IsThisOneFree · 02/02/2025 16:16

Up to £400 monthly payment and £2500 deposit. Happy to consider all options.

Honestly I’d put that budget into auto trader and then rather than worrying about brands for any form of status symbol look at what the best deals are from an age and mileage pov. Then look at brands from a reliability pov.

I may be out of date with prices but I hardly think he’s going to get a bmw or merc with that budget unless it’s very old which kind of defeats the object. Will his colleagues see what car he drives? I wouldn’t have a clue what my colleagues drive. 🤷‍♀️. We all leave and arrive at different times so I don’t see them with their cars.

For your budget maybe look at Kia, they are often quite a good price.

CerealPosterHere · 02/02/2025 18:21

And for high mileage I’d still get diesel if possible. Unless there’s any nasty rumours about annual tax or fuel prices being put up. Not heard anything. I still happily drive a diesel and would want a diesel next time if possible.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 18:23

I2amonlyhereforTheBeer · 02/02/2025 17:16

Second hand BMW or Audi. I'd go for that over Toyota, Kia Sportage or Suzuki.

The German marques are living on their past reputation. BMW in particular has a bad reputation for using parts which last 3-4 years so ok for their first pcp buyer and warranty but then the next owner is liable to have expensive repairs.

Toyota, otoh, give you a 10 year warranty.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 18:25

CerealPosterHere · 02/02/2025 18:21

And for high mileage I’d still get diesel if possible. Unless there’s any nasty rumours about annual tax or fuel prices being put up. Not heard anything. I still happily drive a diesel and would want a diesel next time if possible.

Depends if you need to drive in ULEZ zones or not.

CerealPosterHere · 02/02/2025 18:29

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 18:25

Depends if you need to drive in ULEZ zones or not.

Show quote history

My diesel is ulez exempt and is 9 yo. I’d have thought most modern ones are? Dh’s diesel is 15yo and not exempt.

CerealPosterHere · 02/02/2025 18:31

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 18:23

The German marques are living on their past reputation. BMW in particular has a bad reputation for using parts which last 3-4 years so ok for their first pcp buyer and warranty but then the next owner is liable to have expensive repairs.

Toyota, otoh, give you a 10 year warranty.

Show quote history

Yes, Kia have a 7yo warranty, think Hyundai is 5years. Never had either but my brother swears by Hyundai.

I2amonlyhereforTheBeer · 02/02/2025 19:11

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 18:23

The German marques are living on their past reputation. BMW in particular has a bad reputation for using parts which last 3-4 years so ok for their first pcp buyer and warranty but then the next owner is liable to have expensive repairs.

Toyota, otoh, give you a 10 year warranty.

Show quote history

Yes, agree. I love Toyota for reliability, parts etc but it's a bit of a workhorse rather than looking the part. I thought the OP was (strangely) after something placing appearance over substance. That was the basis for my choice.

Bluevelvetsofa · 02/02/2025 20:23

If the car is a few months old, the deals may well be more affordable.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 20:44

I thought the OP was (strangely) after something placing appearance over substance.

Ah well, the crucial question is what sort of organisation is he joining. ^ he will need to be respected by people who are/will notice What He Drives^ ...in some organisations showing up in a 'style over substance' car would not lead to respect at all.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 02/02/2025 21:09

Skodas have been "socially acceptable" for about 20 years, especially for someone who does not worry about whether his car is a status symbol.

Ringpeace · 02/02/2025 21:23

IsThisOneFree · 02/02/2025 18:04

Thanks lots for starting us off!

It’s “socially acceptable” to look at Sokda these days? Good to know!

I used to think diesel was the best option for high mileage but there seem to be a lot of petrol hybrids. Please could someone explain that one to me?

We're on our fourth Skoda, a Karoq. Prior to this we had a Yeti and two Octavia estates.

All have been utterly flawless.

Being defined by the vehicles we drive is absolutely baffling to me. It's like being defined by what dishwasher I own.

soupyspoon · 02/02/2025 21:27

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 17:13

If it's high mileage that pretty much rules out EVs at the moment. So for eco/envoronmental that means a hybrid of some sort.

Why does it rule out EVs?

ErrolTheDragon · 02/02/2025 21:35

Why does it rule out EVs?

The range of current EVs (real, not the quoted maximum with no heating or AC) is likely not to be adequate for very high mileage business travel. I suppose if it's always to the same place that's within range and there's definitely a charger available there then it might be ok.

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