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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Clueless (shockingly) in Cars! Help me to buy a car!

82 replies

SaritaBella · 29/07/2021 16:05

No males or knowledgable women around to ask besides you ladies!
I have a budget of around £6K, looking for something that will accommodate me and young DC (car seat) but I still want it to be a bit stylish rather than just a boring family car! My dream car is Nissan qashqai but this is for the future 😀 Always liked Audi, VW but seems not for my budget or rather aged.
Need Ulez complyint. Looked into hatchbacks but would prefer 5 door. Just passed my drivers license so nowhere near to drive a saloon 😀
Sniffed around various websites but don't even know what's good/bad.
Is it better a bit older but go for known brands? Understand this is individual but just need a guide on what to focus on.
AIBU to ask what you'd recommend??🤔 Help, really clueless here!

OP posts:
ILoveShula · 30/07/2021 13:00

honestjohn link on car buying

icedcoffees · 30/07/2021 13:46

Another vote for Hyundai.

I have a second-hand i20 (2016). The only work it's needed is new tyres - otherwise it runs like a dream. It's petrol, tax is £30 a year and is a nifty little thing with surprisingly good boot space and plenty of room in the back for two car seats.

My first car was a Hyundai Getz - a bit smaller but still a good little car with no mechanical issues whatsoever.

DH has had two fords in the last three years and both have been awful in terms of repairs and running costs. I would avoid like the plague.

SpnBaby1967 · 30/07/2021 13:52

Look at a SEAT, they are VWs but without the price tag

Shade17 · 30/07/2021 14:31

they are VWs but without the price tag

That’s not necessarily a good thing. VW are generally in the bottom half of most reliability indices/surveys. Skoda seem to be the most reliable member of the VAG family.

JaceLancs · 30/07/2021 14:34

We have 5 VW golfs DM DB DS DD DDs DP
DP and I have VW Passat
Go on for ever - don’t use a main dealer no dearer garage bills than any other make
I’ve probably spent less than £500 on mine over last 3 years and most of that has been on consumables like tyres, oil change, brake pads etc

starfleet · 30/07/2021 14:54

If you've only recently passed your driving test insurance costs will also be something you'll be thinking about as well as buying your car.

Maybe a 5 door car with a smaller engine. Toyota Yaris are a decent starting point and you would get a newer model with your budget. They are reliable, roomy inside (although a little basic feature wise) and not massively expensive to maintain. DS has just got rid of a 14 year old one he'd had after passing his test 4 years ago and we didn't have to spend a fortune on it.

MaskingForIt · 30/07/2021 15:14

Looked into hatchbacks but would prefer 5 door. Just passed my drivers license so nowhere near to drive a saloon

But hatchbacks are 5 door. Do you mean an estate?
And why can’t a new driver drive a saloon? Confused

Ikeeponkeepingon · 30/07/2021 15:20

Another Hyundai fan here. I bought my i10 pre reg 9 years ago. Only meant to keep it 5 years but I can't bear to part with it.

cortex10 · 30/07/2021 17:11

Another i10 fan. Bought 'mine' 9 years ago when DS was learning to drive (cheap to insure him) for £8.5k with less than 100 miles on the clock.
DS took it over about 5 years ago when he started work after uni and I was commuting by train (not sure on reflection whether he paid me for it🤔) and about 18 months ago he passed it on to his GF when he bought a newer car. GF has just sold it for £2k as she's bought a newer model i10. Apart from servicing and tyres it's cost nothing in repairs and coped well with regular long motorway journeys

ILoveShula · 30/07/2021 17:18

@MaskingForIt

Looked into hatchbacks but would prefer 5 door. Just passed my drivers license so nowhere near to drive a saloon

But hatchbacks are 5 door. Do you mean an estate?
And why can’t a new driver drive a saloon? Confused

My hatchback is 3-door.
DixonD · 30/07/2021 17:21

Don’t write off bigger cars just because you’re a new driver.

I passed my test recently and drive a Land Rover.

I actually passed my test in it!

Plenty of room for all you need, and feels incredibly safe too. It’s tricky to park in some places though, which is where I think experience comes into its own!

SimonJT · 30/07/2021 17:22

@MaskingForIt

Looked into hatchbacks but would prefer 5 door. Just passed my drivers license so nowhere near to drive a saloon

But hatchbacks are 5 door. Do you mean an estate?
And why can’t a new driver drive a saloon? Confused

Lots of hatchbacks have three doors
DixonD · 30/07/2021 17:22

A new driver can definitely drive a saloon!

Original poster
SaritaBella · 30/07/2021 22:40

Absolutely can, it's just my own preference. I do like hatchbacks. Smile

Making up my mind -
*Hyundai i20 / i30
*Skoda Fabia or
*Ford Fiesta / Focus.
At the moment.
There's too many options! Envy

Thank you all for your valuable insights, still searching and reading Blush🤯

OP posts:
daytriptovulcan · 30/07/2021 23:19

A Seat Leon, or Ford Focus, which also comes in an estate at not much more.

19lottie82 · 31/07/2021 00:52

Look at Seats , Ibiza or arona

Ibiza is a good shout but I doubt you will get an Arona for anywhere near 6k.

GellerYeller · 31/07/2021 01:12

I've had several older Mercedes with highish mileage. Problem free motoring.
Ditto Addis.
I've had three Golfs and a Passat. All broke spectacularly and one was bought brand new.
Had various Hyundais since having the kids and not doing motorway miles often now. Long warranty, good gadgets, customer service at the dealer was good.
Good luck 😊

GellerYeller · 31/07/2021 01:13

Addis? Audis!!!

Insert1x20p · 31/07/2021 01:21

Kia are cheap because they’re not cool but they are reliable and not expensive to service/fix. I’ve got the Sportage. What I like about it is that it’s got a v spacious interior relative to how wide it is. Good boot space. I’m a total convert.

Nat6999 · 31/07/2021 02:26

A Seat, made by VW, have lots of Audi parts on them. Generally better equipped than an equivalent VW or Audi, for £6k I would look for an Ibiza or Leon.

Whimwham · 31/07/2021 03:17

Another vote for Skoda. After years of being put off by their 1970s reputation, I finally gave in when one came up just at the time I needed one. I'm very impressed. It's good quality, well put-together, drives well and is comfy. Huge amount of space and around 60 mpg. Not a moment's problem in 12 months of ownership. I'd avoid anything German - their reputation for reliability is based on the stats from 30 years ago, and is no longer valid (see the JD Power surveys) and the badge will cost you.

I see you are looking at the Fabia. Mine's the Octavia (one size up) and it's great. Don't discount a slightly larger car. They are just as easy to drive, and can be cheaper to insure as their accident record is better - driven by older folk, not boy/girl racers.

beguilingeyes · 31/07/2021 06:23

You can't buy an Audi.... the drivers are ar#*holes. See also BMW drivers.
On my way home from work last week I saw one (on a three lane A road) swoop from the fast lane to undertake someone by going into one of those emergency lay-by things. It was terrifying.

TheSunIsStillShining · 31/07/2021 07:05
  • Mitsubishi colt. Had 3. The best small family car. Even better if you get a 1.6
  • bmw - only if you have the money for servicing. They can be costly. Don't break too many times, but when they do.....
  • mercedes - lottery. Had one in the family. Years of no problems, then my dad left tons of money in the garage as loads of things went sideways. Mostly electronics.
  • Mitsubishi Lancer - perfect family car. Had 2, no issues.
  • Smart. If mostly for city driving than the best option. On my 2. smart atm.
  • Golf - sturdy, workhorse. Garage costs reasonable if something breaks

Didn't have any, but have friends with:

  • dacia
  • skoda
  • kia
All say these are really good and cheap(ish)

Steer clear (imo)

  • anything italian, french, chinese.

What we were looking at when buying cars (through 25 years and for 2 ppl, so loads of cars)

  • service history. If not full, off our list
  • owners - more than 5, off the list
  • each type of car diff service intervals. for older japanese it was 45k km for the first big service and 90k km for the belt change. That is one of the most costly things. So we looked at either having had that done before we bought it, or one with enough mileage left so we won't be doing it. (still ended up doing it with 3 cars)
And a few tips:
  • look around for 0% APR offers. I got my current Smart like that.
  • don't be afraid to bargain. List price is guidance, not set in stone. I've talked down 3k from my Smart and previously about 4k from my Lancer.
  • If you have selected a type, call dealerships and ask if they have salon cars. Or employee used ones. They can be sweet deals. Maybe even in your budget range.
  • Dealerships will have their new stock arriving in early/mid Sept from factories (usually). Meaning that they need space to put the cars. Mid August is the best time to go looking for a car. Longshot, but might be lucky.

In general a 1 year old with 30k miles is worse (imo) than a 5 year old with the same milage.

CatsGoPurrrr · 31/07/2021 07:06

I’ve just bought a new (to me) car.

I looked for reliable small cars, was a toss up between Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo. Went for the Aygo as the i10 sold before I could test drive it.

I’d suggest going via a main dealer as they carry out more checks and you’ll get a warranty on your car.
,

GreatAuntEmily · 31/07/2021 07:18

If it was me I would walk into a garage (with a forecourt full of cars) and ask what they have at that price. Write it down. There are about 3 garages selling cars near us - if a salesman was particularly helpful I might ask for more help from him but at any rate you find out a rough idea of price , available cars , age of cars etc