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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder how anyone can afford cars?

141 replies

Pariba · 16/09/2014 22:04

I have a really small car and we need a bigger one. 5 seats and a big boot. I really love the Nissan quashquai (sp?) and similar. ..... but upon a quick look ok autotrader I can see any of the cars that we think match our criteria are like . 11k+ not even talking brand new.

since my current (08 plate) car is worth 3 k at the very very most, and we could maybe scrape together another 2k. . I can't see us getting much. I refuse to put a car on finance. .

aside from my personal circumstances, I just think a) who has that money! and b) it's such alot of money for a car! ...I do so much driving it almost makes sense but I can't really get my head around it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pariba · 16/09/2014 22:05

on* .. not having an edit button makes me twitch!

OP posts:
AnythingNotEverything · 16/09/2014 22:05

I think most people put their car on finance.

JudysPriest · 16/09/2014 22:06

That's a pretty high end car you're looking at.

5 seats with a big boot isn't a tall order. Berlingo?

StickEmOnTheWall · 16/09/2014 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JudysPriest · 16/09/2014 22:06

Good lord avoid car finance! Worst contracts ever. Loan from a bank - if you can afford it - fair enough. But avoid finance from dealers!

poocatcherchampion · 16/09/2014 22:07

But a quashquai is not a cheap run around?

But yes, they are expensive.

StickEmOnTheWall · 16/09/2014 22:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleBearPad · 16/09/2014 22:07

Hire purchase or contract purchase. Ours is on 42 months contract purchase. At the end we hand it back/trade it in or pay the bullet payment to buy it outright.

ElizabethMedora · 16/09/2014 22:09

I think a lot of people do get cars on finance. I have had exactly the same thoughts as you looking through Autotrader, & looking at the cars my friends drive & knowing what they do, finance is the only explanation I can find!

We just buy the car we have enough money to buy. Currently we have a small 14 year old car, if we have DC3 (TTC) we will have to buy whatever car looks best for around £2k, because that is our budget! But I am not a car person at all so not bothered by driving around an old banger.

Fairylea · 16/09/2014 22:10

We just buy old cars! Our current car is the most expensive one we have bought and that was £995.....! (2001 Renault megane, 1.4). Had it for 4 years now, passed mot with minor issues - no problems really. Last mot was passed with just bolt change!

We just sell and buy privately. I'd never ever buy a car on finance. I'd be worried my circumstances would change and I wouldn't be able to afford it (been made redundant before and had to downsize and lost everything).

Our car before was a very old inbetweeners style fiat, cost me all of £500. Went without major problems for 5 years. Up and down motorway from norfolk to london! Grin

Original poster
Pariba · 16/09/2014 22:11

Our cars have always been lower end cars, but tbh neither of us have ever looked into it so had no idea the prices some can go for - I was slack jawed to see the price of a brand new s max when I strolled past a dealership recently.

I just fancied having a really nice car for once, since we've really outgrown our clio. I can't get my frigging pram in and out without some serious tetris skills.

but I'm just Shock at the costs in general

OP posts:
wanderingcloud · 16/09/2014 22:11

Look at a Dacia Duster, very similar size and shape to a Qashqai but 1/3 the cost. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles on it but very reliable and amazing value for money on a car that size.

mswibble · 16/09/2014 22:12

Im looking to swap my Ka for a more practical car as im pregnant. My budget is around £4k and im looking at a 09 plate Skoda Fabia with less than 40k miles. Its not my dream car but they're better value and less battered than the usual Focus/Astra's.
My Ka cost £1995 nearly 3 yrs ago, its 10yrs old with 78k on the clock. If I didnt have to I'd be hoping to get another couple of years out of him. Gutted to be saying goodbye to be honest!

originalusernamefail · 16/09/2014 22:13

Just coming on to say Dachia too. We went for Stepway 12k for a brand new decent family car.

GothicRainbow · 16/09/2014 22:13

We got a second hand Citroen Picasso for £1800 so it is do-able, it just depends how new you need the car to be!

BlackeyedSusan · 16/09/2014 22:14

skodas are cheap and reliable.

DorothyGherkins · 16/09/2014 22:16

I think lots of people you see driving nice new shiny expensive cars are driving company cars. I ve only had old bangers. My sister in law was able to buy an expensive car when her mum died and left her some money. I dont know anyone who drives a newish car that they actually own.

maddening · 16/09/2014 22:16

I got an older Zafira for £2700

maddening · 16/09/2014 22:17

My friend got a brand new one for £10k on a deal.

maddening · 16/09/2014 22:18

Ps mine was 7yo with 70k on the clock

maddening · 16/09/2014 22:19

Or check out the Peugeot 0% just add petrol deals they look good

londonrach · 16/09/2014 22:20

Skoda fabia..best car ever.....doesnt set the world in fire but takes you from a to b and passes every mot and just gets on with being a car... My new one cost £6 k but think they more now. We talking 10 years of happy motoring....

Carriemoo · 16/09/2014 22:21

Mines on 0% finance through vauxhall. I really fought them the price down to the bone and it's a £200 a month service plan included.
I don't think I'll ever buy used again if I can get 0%

mswibble · 16/09/2014 22:24

Ooh Londonrach, that does please me!

Serenitysutton · 16/09/2014 22:24

I think most people use car finance or borrow the money some other way- it's not exactly a great use of that amount of cash unless you have loads of cash!