to wonder how anyone can afford cars?

[Pariba]

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.

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

I think most people put their car on finance.

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

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

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

But a quashquai is not a cheap run around?

But yes, they are expensive.

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.

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.

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!

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 at the costs in general

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.

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!

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

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!

skodas are cheap and reliable.

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.

I got an older Zafira for £2700

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

Ps mine was 7yo with 70k on the clock

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

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....

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%

Ooh Londonrach, that does please me!

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!