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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to buy a new (to me) car in current situation?

67 replies

itsonlyaradish · 08/08/2021 21:13

I am torn between a feeling of lifes too short and if I want nice things I should have them, but a more practical feeling that it's an unnecessary liability.

I don't drive that much, I WFH so driving is mostly local plus a 400 mile round trip journey twice a month. I have a practical diesel car which is a real workhorse, I got it cheap, it's done 130000 miles, costs me under 500 a year to keep on the road (new brakes, tyres etc but the engine is great) my insurance is fairly low. It's nice to drive but it's 12 years old and lacks bells and whistles - no cruise control, no bluetooth (though I have got a plug in thingy which does the job), no parking sensors etc.

I see all these fancy cars on the road, with automatic boot openers, and all kinds of added extras and think I'd like something that was just more fancy than the sensible car I have now.

That said, I don't want something too big that I'm struggling to park it anywhere, or so high end that I'm worrying its going to get stolen or damaged. And although I could afford something better, I can't help feeling its a waste of money and I'm just falling into the trap of wanting shiny, flashy things for the sake of it.

If you were me, would you stick with sensible practical car or ditch it for something 'better'?

OP posts:

Original poster

itsonlyaradish · 09/08/2021 15:15

@PivotPivotPivottt as a fellow lone parent I get how you feel but I would also agree that cars are not 100% an indicator of someone's financial situation. A mum at my DC's school lived in a HA flat and was on a low income yet drove a Porsche Cayenne (apparently it was on lease - but even so I could never get over spending hundreds a month on such a flashy car). On the other hand I knew people at uni who lived in huge country houses and the families all drove really battered 20yr + cars.

I think I've decided to keep mine for at least another year. Won't deny I'm looking forward to eventually having cruise control, aircon and parking sensors though!

OP posts:

PivotPivotPivottt · 09/08/2021 15:17

Cars are not on their own an indicator of wealth anymore. I know a mum at my dcs school who couldn't afford a £20 school trip. She drives a range rover. It's often a facade of credit and hp agreements. My 20 year old workhorse never let's me down...my neighbours brand new car broke down last week.

Absolutely I totally get what you are saying. It's just a hang up I have with not having much money and my car is just another reminder. If I had a lot of money and could easily afford stuff I might even choose to drive an old car but I don't have have choice and it makes me feel down about my financial situation.

My car has a few problems but it runs well for being 16 years old and reading further up that newer cars with lots of features = more possible problems, I am glad I don't have that to worry about along with monthly repayments!

Fifthtimelucky · 09/08/2021 15:20

We're in a similar position. Our main car is a very basic 16 year Vauxhall Zafira. We bought it new and have never had any trouble with it at all. It's done about 90,000 miles.

For the last couple of years we have been wondering whether to replace it but have decided to stick with it as long as it doesn't need any big money spending on it. It recently got through its MOT with no issues, so I imagine we'll keep it for at least another year now.

I'm hoping it will last a couple more years, by which time we will probably replace it with an electric one. The infrastructure seems to be improving all the time so it suits us to delay getting a new car for as long as possible.

PivotPivotPivottt · 09/08/2021 15:23

[quote itsonlyaradish]@PivotPivotPivottt as a fellow lone parent I get how you feel but I would also agree that cars are not 100% an indicator of someone's financial situation. A mum at my DC's school lived in a HA flat and was on a low income yet drove a Porsche Cayenne (apparently it was on lease - but even so I could never get over spending hundreds a month on such a flashy car). On the other hand I knew people at uni who lived in huge country houses and the families all drove really battered 20yr + cars.

I think I've decided to keep mine for at least another year. Won't deny I'm looking forward to eventually having cruise control, aircon and parking sensors though![/quote]
Wow yes I agree. I would never dream of having a porsche or similar 😂. I'd be happy with something older but just more up to date. A Peugeot 208 or a Renault Clio would be my choice if I had a few grand going. Range Rovers, Porsches etc are all very nice but too flashy for me . I actually feel a bit better now after reading this and the post from Comedycook. I'm sure I'll be able to upgrade some day but for now I'll enjoy the cheap insurance and low fuel costs of my poor battered old car.

BungleandGeorge · 09/08/2021 15:24

I’d wait a while if I were you, all cars (new and second hand) are at a premium at the moment due to delivery delays, factory shutdowns due to covid, lack of electronic chips!

SandysMam · 09/08/2021 15:31

It makes me sad you feel embarrassed Op! You sound lovely and it’s such a shit state of affairs that people regard wealth as things to be proud of. If you can afford a newer car, I would get one if it is important for your self esteem. It’s sad that you should have to but life is short and you deserve to feel good about yourself. Just don’t get in unmanageable debt for it.

DynamoKev · 09/08/2021 15:32

OP it may well be possible to have cruise control retro fitted it's not a big job on most cars.
It is certainly 100% to have parking sensors fitted to any car.
My 16 year old car has both though and at 150K miles I have no plans to change it :)

NotWanting · 09/08/2021 17:03

I'm having the same dilemma in my head right now. Currently have a 2012 car (although it has many bells and whistles) with very low mileage because all my journeys are very local.

But new cars are so pretty and I have the money in the bank....

I think I've decided to keep the old car. Probably.

M0rT · 09/08/2021 17:14

I went through a phase of looking at new to me cars earlier in the year as I started driving more and my car wasn't very comfortable.
It's a decent car and has good air con but I would love a reversing camera and an automatic.
I decided as even second hand prices have gone up so much I'll stick with my current car and I got a cushion

DynamoKev · 09/08/2021 17:20

@NotWanting

I'm having the same dilemma in my head right now. Currently have a 2012 car (although it has many bells and whistles) with very low mileage because all my journeys are very local.

But new cars are so pretty and I have the money in the bank....

I think I've decided to keep the old car. Probably.

2012 feels like brand new to me.

PivotPivotPivottt · 09/08/2021 17:27

Same

Reallyreallyborednow · 09/08/2021 17:32

I say don’t do it.

I have the same as you. Cheap, old, but reliable.

Dh has a bells and whistles newer car. It costs more to run, servicing is expensive, the sat nav outdated super quickly, it just seems more hassle.

Plus mine is now worth less than 1k. So honestly I don’t care about little dings and knocks, I don’t worry about it getting damaged or stolen.

Definitely prefer cheap and reliable!

SimonJT · 09/08/2021 17:38

If you want one go for it, I probably do less than 40 miles a month, but I really like cars, so I have a civic type r, its my much loved baby. I do replace it everytime a new model is out, but as I go for a special edition I do always sell it for a fairly good price, so upgrading isn’t too costly.

If you have £15k I’d buy something 2/3 years old rather than getting something brand new on PCP, £15k is a very good budget, more than enough to get a very good car.

HungryHippo11 · 09/08/2021 17:56

You might not have a lot of choice at the moment. There is a serious shortage of new and second hand cars.

Disneycharacter · 09/08/2021 18:15

I love my little Aygo with a rear camera and parking sensors. I'm a sucker for all the flashy things new cars have

missymayhemsmum · 09/08/2021 18:51

Look at going electric - a second hand electric car will be lovely to drive, have all the bells and whistles, hold its values (petrol and diesel are heading for rapid obsolescence and will lose value fast), give your children (and everyone elses) better air quality and save you loads on running costs.

Ultramum44 · 09/08/2021 22:35

If you live in London, in receipt of certain benefits and your car is not ULEZ compliant, you can apply for a £2000 scrappage grant. It's not advertised anywhere and I only found it by luck. I work full time, am a lone parent and receive Universal Credit so was eligible.

I'd owned a 2007 VW Golf TDI for 8 years and it was very reliable. But after the ULEZ expands in October, I would be charged to drive to work or visit my gran (which I do every week) so needed to replace it. I applied online, it was approved and I scrapped my beloved Golf last Friday. I'm now awaiting the £2000 cheque which I'll put towards a newer car.

The only inconvenience is you'll be without a car for approximately two weeks whilst you await payment.

Here's the link:

tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/scrappage-schemes

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