can't decide!

[ryme]

Currently have 2 cars, one 18 years old, feeling like it's on it's last legs, the other 14.5 years old, 160000 miles diesel, but still has some life in it I think, very, very reliable. We could survive with one car, at a stretch. So, it's not massively urgent that we buy a car, but we do need to start thinking about it.
Started looking at new cars - spent ages because I haven't bought a car for 13 years, and knew nothing.

Out of all the cars we've sat in/test drove, a 2025 MG HS stands out. Lovely feel/drive etc, right size for what we want, but it's £22K! We want to buy from a particular car supermarket because it's close by, and has an excellent reputation, fairly priced, bought from them last time etc.. They have cheaper models from 2022, and I'm happier with the price of those, but they didn't wow me as much (cheapest 13.5K). They don't have any 2023-2024 ones. MG have also recently released an MG HS hybrid which I'd love to have, but there are none on the used car market yet, do I wait until there are? Way too expensive to buy new (32K). This self-charging hybrid has better fuel economy, but nowhere near enough to offset £10K.
I always buy cars cash outright, then run them into the ground. We have money (~250K in savings, mortgage paid off), but we're not that far off retirement (50s), although we do have pensions (albeit not that great ones).
DH has no interest in cars, thinks the current 2 we have are fine i.e. they go. And he's very easy going, so just says "if you really want it, just buy it", but if he's honest, would prefer cheaper (as would I). So he's as useless as I am.
I don't know if it's because I was brought up poor, but I struggle to spend money, and this feels huge. But then am I just being a proper scrooge, sitting on loads of money and not spending it? As things stand the 2025 plate car is on reserve for us, but I think I'm going to have to pull out because I (we?) just can't decide.

I try to avoid cheap Chinese cars so the MG wouldn’t even be in my radar tbh. In your shoes I would look for something 3/4 years old but a better brand/build.

So many car reviews and comparisons online. If you aren’t sure search the make and model and similar cars.
Most people do the “ leg work” online and main dealers can usually get cars from anywhere in the country.
There will be nearly new hybrids out there other makes. Good luck.

Hmm, I feel like I did do quite a bit of leg work on line, but when we test drove the cars we chose I didn't like them. Skoda kamiq was one, can't remember the other (Hyundai Tucson maybe?). I loved the MG, but is 22K stupid money? I paid 10K for our last car, 13 years ago and everything seems to have more than doubled since then.

Cars have become crazy expensive, and newer cars aren't nicer than older ones. They are much more complex so more to go wrong. If you like your current cars then why not hang onto them until they actually stop working? I'd spend the money on a holiday personally.

But if emotionally you want a new car - go for it, you husband would be supportive!

If you’re open to the idea of not getting something brand new then you’ll save a ton of money, the first few years of a cars life will pretty much always see massive depreciation. I personally would go for something 4-5 years old that’s been well cared for and with a low mileage.

And I agree with the pp about modern cars becoming far too complicated, computerised and probably more prone to failure, which can often be a nightmare to fix as the problems can be incredibly hard to trace, often with woefully underpowered engines too. I was watching a respected car YouTube channel the other day and they were saying pretty much this.

@Lonelycrab Interesting you say about underpowered engines - that was what I didn't like about the other 2 that I test drove, woefully underpowered, no oomph, kick or power, utterly dull to drive (I love driving, but know nothing about cars). The MG was lovely to drive, especially the 2025 one (which isn't new, it's 6 months or so old).
@Rollercoaster1920 We have other money to spend on holidays, about 10k a year, so this purchase doesn't affect that. I wouldn't spend 22k on a holiday either. 10-15k for big purchases like holidays and cars feels about right. I'd stretch to 17-18 maybe, but 22k feels over the top.

Hmm, I think I'll look at the MoTs on some of the older ones they have in stock, and maybe go with one of those, otherwise I'll pull out and wait a bit.
I feel like I understand the types of cars out there a bit more at least. I've got to pull out if I can't decide anyway.

@ryme Perhaps also look at the Honda Zrv, it’s a similar kind of idea and price to the MG you mentioned, and has good performance and larger engine than many newer SUVs.

Pers I’d tend to shy away from MG as I’ve heard mixed things about quality/reliability and I’ve always loved Hondas for those main reasons. That may just be my own prejudice though. Good luck.

Just buy the MG-treat yourself!
Proviso-check reviews for reliability etc.
You can afford it and it's time for a new car so if you want it, and you've done background checks then buy it without guilt

I wouldn’t touch MG with a barge pole. Two neighbours have had them and they rusted out underneath and would fail the MOT, one 2 years old, the other failed at its first MOT.

@HelpMeGetThrough Hmm, that's worrying

Just buy the MG-treat yourself

A Chinese MG isn’t a treat FFS, it’s what you’d make someone drive as a punishment. Utter dog shit!

I'd wait for the older car to die and then look again at the car you want. Waiting another year or two should mean there are more used ones/older ones available.

@ryme have you trawled Honest John?
MG HS Review 2025 | Honest John

I'd recommend joining the forum there, post setting out your budget and your strict priority list and see what the very knowledgeable people there say.

Given your criteria of wanting to keep a car for a very long time, I'd be focussing on a Honda or Toyota. Personally I wouldn't touch an MG these days.

@martinisforeveryone I'll take a look at that website, thank you.

Oh God, I really know nothing about cars do I! This is the problem with only buying a car once every 15 years. I'm sure I used know this kind of stuff.

Agree with @nuffsaidsam run one of your current vehicles until it is beyond economical repair and buy something you are more sure of afterwards.

To be fair, the MG the op mentions has got some good reviews, car wow (who I trust) liked it, but longevity is the unknown.

Perhaps consider something like a Mazda CX30 eg
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508135412605?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios-app
As you’re not dealing with unknown Chinese engineering….

I don't drive but our 20 year old car became a ridiculous money pit dangerous really and gone for scrap. My dh couldn't decide at all what to get and as just paid off mortgage decided to lease a new car for 3 years. Gone for a Hyandai hybrid.... Does bing and bong a lot! When he does eventually buy it will be used car...

which Hyundai did he get - was it a Kona or Tuscon?

Agree, I would avoid Chinese cars. Cheap yes.... but the only thing that China has ever made that has lasted more than 5 years is covid.

Hyundai, Toyota, Lexus are best, and anything from the VAG Stable - all will give you what you need. Avoid chinese.

@martinisforeveryone You do know it’s not remotely the formed brand don’t you? It’s Chinese cheap as chips!

Leasing can be very expensive if you work out the sums! For £20,000 I’d start looking at What Car in SUV or hatchback reviews. I’d not buy new. All new cars depreciate. I’d not buy Chinese either.

@OhDear111 have you made a typo for 'former'? If that's the case then yes, I do know that. I wouldn't be interested in, or ever purchase an MG. I was simply responding to the question asked, pointing the OP to an open forum of car industry enthusiasts and experts who know more than I do and advising they join, give their budget and expectations and see what's suggested. I also pointed to their review of the MG that she's interested in so she could read whatever they have to say because sometimes people don't want the product that ticks all the boxes.

I used Honest John's forum years ago and people were very kind and spent a lot of time debating what would specifically suit my requirements and I still have that car today, having been really pleased with it over the years, next having had any problems with it either.

He got a Kona.
Liking it at the moment though very vocal with bing and bong noises/ warnings etc! Maybe that is the case with all new cars! We are leasing this after getting rid of 20 year old banger...

😂I can hear the bing and bong in my head!
Going to try out a Kona tomorrow.