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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people don't buy cheaper cars

161 replies

JaceLancs · 22/02/2017 10:00

This has come up on a few threads recently about people saying they can't afford a car
Why not just buy something older smaller or cheaper?
The most I would consider spending would be £5000 and I would have to borrow or save that - if my current 14 year old car becomes unrepairable in the near future I would buy a put me on for around £1000
DD last car was £800 DS just bought first car for less than £500
They are all very reliable and cheap to run and repair
DD and my car both come into cheap insurance and tax brackets

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 22/02/2017 12:23

I like to buy a nearly new car every 5 years or so, so I spend more that you do & am probably the sort of person you're thinking of.

You do need people like me to create the supply of decent older cars for others you know?!

I like newish cars because I don't want the hassle or cost of repairs. I like new seats and equipment, like the voice activated stuff on my newest car that the old one didn't have.

I can afford it and like the peace of mind so no, I won't buy an older, cheaper car unless one of these factors changes.

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 12:23

Everything new these days are built to break! so you either have to go new-new or old-old

MakeItStopNeville · 22/02/2017 12:24

I just like the smell of a new car.

Chippednailvarnishing · 22/02/2017 12:24

Would I rather crash in a new car or an old car?

New car please.

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 12:25

Teacher at school, probably earning 35k ish, wife on mat leave with first baby has just bought a 45k VW transporter van. I just can't get my head around it…

Why? not everybody stretches to have the very maximum mortgage they can get.
Would you say the same if he'ld just bought a new house? people have differing priorities

mistermagpie · 22/02/2017 12:27

Foolish, but you don't know that they bought it outright (or do you?). We have a 30 grand car that in a million years we would never be able to afford to buy outright. We don't own it though!

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 12:27

It's a bit like furniture! If you buy oldish modern furniture second hand it's a bit crap. If you buy expensive old-old furniture it can look brand new even 100 years on.

new-new or old-old!

UnbornMortificado · 22/02/2017 12:28

Tinsel it's an 05, low mileage though. I will have jinxed myself now.

I think it's just personal choice, I could afford a slightly more expensive car (not new) but it just doesn't interest me.

If people can afford it and it makes them happy fair play to them.

mistermagpie · 22/02/2017 12:28

I agree with Tinsel, i would either go brand spanking new or properly old. 3-5 years old has no advantage of the newnes (warranty etc) and no advantage of the oldness either.

Musicinthe00ssucks · 22/02/2017 12:28

I presumed that a lot of people driving around in new cars now lease them

Mrstumbletap · 22/02/2017 12:32

For the poster that said I have only had X,Y,Z done on my car and it only cost £1000 etc. But that doesn't account for all the faff that comes with it.

Phoning the garage, booking it in
Taking it to the garage/possible morning off work
Waiting for them to order in parts
Getting to work without a car
Dropping off DC without a car
Collecting car from garage without a car

It's all that stuff that I seriously don't have time for. I don't have a job where I can have my phone on me. Garages aren't open when I go to work, they are closed when I finish, so actually booking any work to be done let alone take it in to a garage would be a nightmare.

New cars-no faff

StickyMouse · 22/02/2017 12:32

Spending £10k on a second car every 3 years you could actually lease a brand new car for the same value.

wideboy26 · 22/02/2017 12:35

More than one poster has asserted that leasing is the cheapest way of owning a brand new car. Not according to Which? magazine, who say that outright purchase is cheapest. Leasing is cleverly designed to look cheaper than it really is and if you lease and get a replacement after 3 or so years, you can only swap for the same make.

NotCitrus · 22/02/2017 12:35

Figuring out when to give up and sell your old car for scrap rather than repair it yet again is a black art. We had an old Omega that just did not die, did nearly 200k, fit kids in, no reason to sell it. Got written off in an accident. Since then have had an ancient Galaxy, was meant to be a stop-gap but after getting it through the first MOT, it's needed nothing doing to it and it's a pleasure to drive. Keep saying if it needs £300 to repair, then we'll ditch it and spend £5-6k on a newer one.

If we did high milage and needed a car to get to work (as opposed to a car being a bit of a luxury), then would consider leasing. Comfy seats would be great!

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 22/02/2017 12:36

I've just made the leap from old bangers out of auto trader to second hand from a dealership.
The cheapest available was £3500 (10 times more than our last car!) but its only a few years old and you get a warranty so there's some security if it breaks down.
Its very lovely compared to what we're used to but with payments of £100 a month its a stretch- not to mention the knock we've taken to our savings with he £1400 deposit.
We've done it because we're sick of the insecurity of old cars that break down and never pass their MOT's.

I think the mumsnet "old banger" is the motoring version of "magic chicken."
People might think they're showing off their frugality but when you really break it down, their actually telling you that:

  1. At some point I had enough money to be a quality car that will last
  2. Since then, I've been able to afford to maintain it

People on lower incomes do newish cars on credit or ridiculous money pits from autotrader (which I'm fairly sure is not what is meant)

FoolishFly · 22/02/2017 12:38

It could be leased but with bikes, family, etc it'll end up quite battered.

I think the thing that confuses my brain is that cars, like jeans or saucepans, are disposable items. They might get ripped or dented, last one or 25 years and then you replace them. To work and commit such a huge part of your income to just one thing vulnerable is amazing.

House prices confuse me too, how many multiples of an average wage to own an 'average' home?!!!

UnbornMortificado · 22/02/2017 12:38

Unlimited genuinely not me. I'm just really, really skint with a shite credit rating Grin

gettingoutofdebt · 22/02/2017 12:39

My (relatively expensive) volvo was hit from behind by a Peugeot 106 last week. His car was written off and he left in an ambulance. Ds and I were fine and the car has a dent on the bumper. That made me feel so much better about what my car cost.

mistermagpie · 22/02/2017 12:39

Well yes wideboy you're probably right that buying outright is cheaperthan leasing, but the vast majority of people can't afford to buy a new car outright. Even a crappy car will be more than 10 grand usually. Leasing is the cheapest way to own a new car of all the 'finance' options is what I should have said.

5moreminutes · 22/02/2017 12:40

Foolish he might be living mortgage free - some jammy buggers people with low to medium incomes on paper have highish disposable income because they have inherited or been gifted (outright or the rent free use of) property. My neighbours both do part time low paid work but have a large detached house with a granny flat they rent out and fairly expensive cars - they were given the house as a wedding present by grandparents. Friend of DH's also inherited a town centre property which he rents out while living in his parents basement rent and bills free and doing a middle income job - huge disposable income!

How much money people have to chuck about can be quite random and surprising, but with no housing costs (especially when there is also an income from a rental property) an ordinary salary goes a very long way!

mistermagpie · 22/02/2017 12:41

Also wideboy the thing you said about leasing and having to swap for the same make isn't true. My new car is coming next week and is a different make from the one I'm handing back. You don't need to use any of the same leasing or finance companies or anything - just give the old one back and get a new one, there are no restrictions.

Chippednailvarnishing · 22/02/2017 12:43

I have a very old convertible I pootle about in, but if it breaks down we have a second car we can share, so I'm not depending on it. I wouldn't use it on the motorway either especially with a DC in it as there's no way it's as safe as our newer car.

minipie · 22/02/2017 12:43

OP I'd like to see these cars which cost £800 or £500 to buy and are reliable and cheap to run and repair?

I think you've been very lucky. Or you're from a family of mechanics.

mistermagpie · 22/02/2017 12:46

Sorry to keep banging on, I don't work for a leasing compnay by the way, but why are people assuming that leasing is pointless because 'with a family the car will end up quite battered'? I have a toddler, a bike rack and roof box on the car, have been through three child seats and my car has been crashed into three times (while parked) - it still looks like new! Just look after your stuff and get it fixed when it's damaged, the same way you would with any posession.

I guess if you want to trash a new car then leasing isn't for you, but some people manage to own a car and have a family without destroying their car.

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 12:48

I think the thing that confuses my brain is that cars, like jeans or saucepans, are disposable items. They might get ripped or dented, last one or 25 years and then you replace them. To work and commit such a huge part of your income to just one thing vulnerable is amazing

There is value in spending more on things you use daily!
If you use them daily they'll be good value even if expensive
If you enjoy them daily, they're even better value, and that's worth paying for if you can