Hate hate hate looking for a new car

[2026namechange]

It is both boring and stressful at the same time. I don’t know what I’m talking about and I also don’t care to learn, I find it tedious.

People seem to have such strong and specific opposing opinions about stuff that I have no idea if it’s relevant at all.

AIBU to think you should be able to pay someone to find you a car that meets your budget and requirements and isn’t a lemon?

If this service exists please could someone point me in the right direction? Bonus points to not have to engage in any conversations that involve car terminology at all.

See. I love it, give me a budget and a list of requirements and I would be on Autotrader in a flash.

It’s also making me wish I had a “car husband” but he has zero interest either.

Make sure the cup holder is far forward enough that youre not lifting tour shoulder up & bending your arm backwards to get your coffee, sip, and then bending your arm backward getting in a fup holder again.

The buggiest design flaw in the sportage in IMO

ETA - if you're prepared to drive a manual then it's about 10k cheaper

I just buy a newer version of the car I’ve got as I can’t be bothered with all the decisions either! Can recommend this approach for significantly shortening the purchasing process.

That would definitely be my strategy going forward - unfortunately I need to replace my small Mazda 2 that I’ve had forever because we need a family car. I’m 33 and I have only ever had 2 cars - the first was given to me because my grandad was too old to drive and I kept it until it died.

I am with you 100%. And Googling and AI is utterly shit for this which is annoying.How I did it was -

made a list of what I knew I wanted (eg heated steering wheel, button instead of handbrake, can defrost from inside my house, less likely to break down)

asked a few of my friends and family what they drive that they like/hasn’t been a PITA

went to car showrooms for the brands they mentioned, with my list of features.

explained I could not give a shit what model it is, it just needs to fit my specification

discounted every place that ignored me (whose body language was, I am interested in these cars) and approached my boyfriend (whose body language was, I’m just waiting here)

did a few test drives, this really helped me reflect on my list of priorities

went online to cinch and sorted out a part exchange and they brought me my new car and took the old one away.

Same here OP. I refuse to spend a lot of money on a car I only use a couple of times a week, so I go for mid range cars - and they all seem much of a muchness. Trailing round car showrooms on my precious days off when I work full time is not something I relish.

I have a Sportage and never noticed this. Maybe I have long ape-like arms!

DH and I decided on a basic type first (for us medium/family sized SUV) and then read articles and comparisons from there. If you’re not even remotely sure of what you want then I guess that would be tricky.

For us the articles suggested that the two contenders were Kia Sportage and Skoda Karoq. We picked the Kia and have no regrets!

@RappelChoan did you had a good experience of cinch? I’ve been looking on there but it makes me nervous dropping all the money on something from the internet I haven’t seen

I sold my old car to WBAC, and bought my next one on Cazoo - similar to Cinch.
I bought a Fiesta, had an older one before the one I sold, knew roughly what I was getting.
Test drives always feel odd because it's a different car to yours anyway. Getting any new car takes time for you to get used to.
I'm not looking at tge moment, but will definitely do the same thing again... my tolerance level for car salesmen is very small

I know what you mean. If your budget matches your wish list it's marginally better, but if it doesn't it's even more painful. I having automatic nxt time. Had an automatic courtesy car and really liked it.

OP we used cinch and found them to be excellent. They delivered the car, explained all the buttons (ours had lots) and even cleaned it on the way.

Yeah not a fan either
I run cars until they die then I try and find the newest second hand car in my budget. My budget isn't great so limits my options which helps

I've just traded in my mazda 2 for the mazda cx30 suv. I couldn't be bothered looking around either!! Good luck finding a car!

My nerves about making such a large purchase without seeing it first, were outweighed by my laziness/busyness and the fact you get 2 weeks to change your mind from when the car arrives.

It was so convenient, I was on a train when I bought it, rather than in another fecking showroom experiencing yet more sexism. Highly recommend.

I hate it too. Could not care less what I drive, don’t care about engines, don’t care what colour it is.

Go for features - that was what helped me last time. I needed a small engine, manual (for DS17 to learn in), but wanted some creature comforts - heated seats, steering wheel, cameras etc. I also ruled out a couple of makers on the basis of reliability.

Ended up with a Hyundai kona. I have no strong feelings about it, but I do love the heated seats 😁.

DH feels the same as me - we bought him a Skoda scala purely on the basis of boot/interior capacity. Key question was being able to get four tall people and a load of their crap into a reasonably size car.

I don’t know where you live but try one of the reputable car supermarkets. I have friends who have used Fords of Winford and have been very impressed. No hard sell.

For me it's the practical things about sitting in the driving seat, as a shortarse.
We have just bought a brand new corsa. There's a couple of things that piss me off. Firstly you can't slide the seat belt down so it's not cutting into your neck (have had to buy gizmos off Amazon) from where it is fixed on the car frame. Secondly the pillar between the back and front door is wider than my old car so looking to reverse means altering my body position.
Years ago I drove a Calibra, as my friend the owner had drunk too much. I couldn't reach the pedals and we had to stuff our coats down my back.

Go for another Mazda. We lease a cx5 and can't fault it
They only have 3 different trim levels and all are decent.
We will be buying one when the lease expires

I usually just look in tesco car park when doing my shopping, I make a note of the cars I like the look of. Go home and google their price. If my budget covers more than one I might google mpg and boot size to help choose. I've then always just bought the first one I've test driven as I've lost the will to live by then. Totally with you OP.

Do you want brand new, ex-demo or a few years old?
Neither me nor dh are into cars. Basically we've decided on what kind or cars we want - eg a golf and go from there.
The last time I bought a car it took me a year. I went to one showroom and just didn't feel able to make the decision.

About a year later tried a different showroom- the salesman was a young lad much more on my wavelength ( I could tell he wasn't spouting bs) and I bought a car.

Go for another Mazda. We lease a cx5 and can't fault it
They only have 3 different trim levels and all are decent.
We will be buying one when the lease expires

If you like your Mazda, look at another in a bigger size. I have always had Mazdas until recent one (needed 7 seater) but will
go back to a Mazda when kids are older.
cx5 is lovely. If you want a bit smaller then cx30 or cx3 if you are looking for older.

We had a Mazda 3 for years with two kids. Never once failed mot.

Make sure the back seat folds right down to give a flat deck for when you need to carry a piece of furniture. I/we did not check when we bought our Skoda Karoq. Some Fords have this problem I believe.
What is the point of a hatch back where only the back of the back seat leans forward.

We go to one of those car supermarket type things and have a look around various cars all in the same place. We use Motorpoint and you just tell the dealer which cars you want to look in and they give you the keys and leave you to it. Each car has a QR code and basic info inside so you can compare them. Any you like the look of, they will let you test drive it and tell you more about it.
When you turn up you can let them guide you to what kind of car will suit you best, eg SUV, petrol, diesel, electric etc or work the basics out for yourself beforehand. Think about whether or not you like a higher up car, big boot etc.
I looked at about 10 then came home with a Kia Sportage which I love. Dont forget to make notes as you walk round or you won't remember what you liked or disliked about each car.