AIBU to buy a 'cheap' make of car?

[Newcarwhatcar]

I have about £10k to spend on a new/ nearly new car. I currently drive a tiny old banger but want to replace it with something newer and bigger which can do longer journeys, we can take on holiday etc.

My plan is to buy a Dacia Stepway, or something similar. However everyone I know is telling me I will regret this, and that I should buy a smaller car, some are saying I should go for either a Ford or Vauxhall as repairs are cheap, generally reliable etc. Others are telling me to go for a BMW or Audi. However any of those makes (esp the prestige ones) I'd have to get a car that was years old to get in my price range which isn't what I want.

So If you were in my position what would you do? Go for a new cheap car, or not?

Please look at the safety issues - look at ratings for crash tests. I knew someone who got out of a head on collision with a really safe car but the other person, who drove a low rated one, had two totally smashed legs :-( Even if you get a slightly older car, it is better to go for safety number one.

I would look at Kia or Hiyundai if nearly new.
A 15 yr old BMW or Audi is likely to be a money pit.
I would also consider a 3 yr old Astra/Corsa/Fiesta/Focus with FSH.

Also all the parts are made by Renault so availablity for parts isn’t an issue

And BMW and Audi's parts are ridiculously priced - just for the so called kudos.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/

This year I got a Vauxhall Mokka SE 1.4T for £11000 3 years old with just over 4000miles on the clock n I absolutely love it. Its automatic and uses petrol. It's so smooth to drive, all leather seats that are heated and it has a heated steering wheel.

Before this I bought a 4 year old Corsa with 9000miles on the clock, I had it for another another 3 years and it never had a single thing wrong with it.

You'd easily be able to get a youngish car with really low mileage for £10k just buy from a reputable place.

Don't buy a vauxhal. They are death traps.corsas especially. In your place I would look at the safety ratings and buy the safest car you can afford.

If you're commuting in heavy traffic, have you considered an automatic? It'll make life much easier. My recommendation would be to test drive a variety and then decide

I just traded a 7 year old Honda for a 1 year old “prestige” car. Honda never went wrong, new car’s already been in the garage with a fault!

Go for reliability and you can’t get much more reliable than a Japanese car.

The cheaper the make, the newer it will be and the more likely you’ll have some residual manufacturer warranty left.

If you’re looking at new, take a look at carwow. Some massive discounts to be had on some makes.

I’ve done nearly 40,000 miles in my 2 year old Stepway (bought new) and I love it!

Take a look at Skoda too, they are bascially VWs. We love ours.

We have a Skoda, it's been a fabulous, completely reliable car..we need a new one and are considering a Dacia this time.

I got a 6 month old corsa for £7000, 4 years down the line it is still fantastic and a great car for what I need. No plans to change until I have to!

My partner has an Audi that is now 17 years old and it still runs fantastically (it has been very well maintained from new though) cars like that are made to last in a way a lot of others aren’t!

Have you considered a nearly new mazda 2?

Bare in mind the upkeep costs too. My husband had a BMW and it was amazing, lasted forever but it was £500 a service and £200 a tyre.

I can't see past VW's. Nice looking, well made and reasonable prices second hand.

Bare in mind the upkeep costs too. My husband had a BMW and it was amazing, lasted forever but it was £500 a service and £200 a tyre.

Yeah I think that's a good point. Tyres, services and MOTS are costs you can't avoid, even if your car runs like a dream otherwise. I got a whole new wheel for my car (after hitting a pothole) for less than £150. A tyre from my local garage is £70 for the premium model, £40 for the cheapest. Much more affordable than £200 a time!

Yes tyres on some cars are eye wateringly expensive. Whereas I replaced all 4 of mine last year for £120

DP has a Vauxhall (and has had Vauxhall, used and more recently new) for years and is a real fan. However I want something bigger than a Corsa and I just don't like Astras .

What I'd like is a crossover type vehicle, hence the Stepway. Or a Kia Stonic (silly name but they're really nice cars). However the Kia is a new model out this year so I can't get one second hand yet. I have looked at Rios and althpugh I do like them as a short person I would like a slightly higher driving position!

We have an Insignia for runarounds and it’s a dream! Bigger than a Corsa and nicer than an Astra.

I vote Skoda - we have been so impressed with ours.

My Vauxhall Mokka is higher up than a normal car! I don't think I could go back to one that's low down now.

For that kind of money I'd be looking at a second hand good brand of car, like a VW or Audi - not a new cheap car. A new car depreciates massively the minute you drive it off the forecourt. Older cars tend to have a slower depreciation rate, so if you bought a decent Audi you could sell it on in a few years for more than you may be able to sell on a Dacia for example.

I had a Mokka as a courtesy car. The height is great but it was a very clunky drive compared with my Auris (also automatic- all hybrids are). I don't know if they're all diesel but the one I had was so more expensive to run and less environmentally friendly.

I've had my Stepway for 4 years now and I love it. As pp said, the parts are all Renault so not hard to find

Anyone had a "cactus"?