Boring car choice - what would you choose?

[Phleaser]

Hi,

I'm coming to the end of a PCP (Merc C250d estate, no equity) and I can't make my mind up what to choose next because I will be applying for a mortgage in about 12 months so I am thinking lower general cost. But the car has to be relatively big boot space (got a toddler and dog to thrown in it), under 4 years old (company rules as I take allowance) and I'll be doing about 15-20k per year in it. Diesel is a must therefore.

Option 1: VX Insignia - 2015 models around 9500 on AT for SRI Nav 2.0 Diesel. 3.3% APR bank loan on that. The logic is I won't need to put a deposit in (keeping it for the mortgage). I reckon depreciation will be about 4-5k over 2 years. Anything else you can suggest (not Mondeo, terrible comfort level at my height 6f 3i). 1 year warranty remaining too.

Option 2: VAG Octavia/Passat/Superb etc on lease (total about 5k). Will need to put some deposit in, but will be less flexible regarding end date (2 years).

I have some time to play with (Mid-May) so if lease, I am hanging on for a good deal on the Lease thread.

What would you do?

Cheers

[SilverSixer]

How does a KIA Optima estate look on lease? Those are far nicer than you might imagine. Could be a hidden bargain.

[Ransoman]

No experience of the above however:

I have never heard a good thing said about the insignia, and I have never heard a bad thing about an Octavia. For that reason I would look at the Octavia.

[MorganP104]

SilverSixer said:

How does a KIA Optima estate look on lease? Those are far nicer than you might imagine. Could be a hidden bargain.

All secondhand Kia Optima estate diesels are about twice the price of 2015 Insignia wagons.

Which surprised me, despite the Kias being a bit newer.

[Zetec-S]

Ransoman said:

No experience of the above however:

I have never heard a good thing said about the insignia, and I have never heard a bad thing about an Octavia. For that reason I would look at the Octavia.

+1 for the Octavia, or alternatively a Toyota Avensis?

[SilverSixer]

Mazda 6 maybe if buying secondhand. They depreciate nicely.

[Phleaser]

Thanks all. Just checked out the Avensis and had a few Mazda 6's from Hertz over the years - they are decent.
Looks like similar depreciation to the Insignia but probably a better choice.

Next question, change in March or wait til May (for some more 15 plates to appear in the networks?)

[blueg33]

We went Skoda Octavia Scout, well made, comfy as much legroom as my A6, bigger boot than Passat estate, good spec etc

[covmutley]

The 4 year old rule sucks. Buying say a 2 year old car every couple of year is going to give you heavy depreciation, especially on your mileage.

Unless you can find a really high mileage 2 yr old example, you may as well lease.

[Phleaser]

Thanks all.

Actually discussed it at work and there is some flexibility in the 4yr old rule, by negotiation.
Therefore maybe I can look at a 3 or 4 (at a push) year old car instead.
That opens up more possibilities!

[Jonno02]

A Mazda 6 will take you to the moon and back, I'd probably have a gander at those.