Lease ending in June, cash purchase up to £5k(ish)
Discussion
I currently have a Leon Cupra ST on lease until the start of June, I got a great deal at the time and have really enjoyed it but my mileage is now about 3-4k a year as I'm now largely home based for work, also expecting a bit of a sting on remortgaging in November so downsizing on the car is the sensible option. I've been saving a bit extra over the last year and have a budget of around £5k, this would have been fairly healthy pre-covid but now seems to be a tricky price point.
With a lot of short mileage running the family around with only very occasional 40 mike round trip for commute a petrol would be the only option, I have a motorbike I usually use to commute and scratch the speed itch but I'm in an odd place where being very sensible "should" be what I do but not sure I want to lose the fun from driving just yet. I've made a rough shortlist of things to explore that may seem a bit varied, I would appreciate some advice, opinions and any other options that may be worth looking in to.
Audi A5 - always liked the look, likely to be a bit leggy and recall the tfsi of that period using a bit of oil
BMW 325 - had a touring a few years ago that I moved on as I was doing more business mileage and the boot shape didn't work with pram and baby stuff
Ford focus/Mondeo - sensible, seems a bit if a boring choice, most have 0-60 over 10 seconds that I think would feel very mundane
Honda - CRV is sensible, big inside, would be fine for longer family trips (wife has a polestar so not keen on using it for long trips that need charging part way through, civic 1.8 (ex, si, type s) also sensible. Civic type r not so sensible, more my "thing" but finding a decent FN2 at price will be hard
Mazda 3/6 - sport or tamura takuya spec should be fine, more concerned about rust
Mercedes - clc or clk, pro being it's a cheap Merc, con being it's a cheap Merc. More auto options for relaxed driving
Lexus - is250? Finding one without a beige interior seems difficult
Vauxhall - astra gtc, Sri. White goods. Insignia should be the choice but my wife had one that had no end of problems, it's tainted my view of it which is a shame. I just find all Vauxhall's incredibly dull
There are probably more but before I start properly looking I need to get some informed choices made, eBay, autotrader and the hellscape of Facebook marketplace will probably be where I am looking but my neighbour is in the car trade so also may be able to source something a bit more specific.
Quick edit, would also consider a Volvo V50, I also have a weird like of the S40 in sport or R design. I know it's a Focus underneath but perhaps because it's not a Focus it's more appealing.
With a lot of short mileage running the family around with only very occasional 40 mike round trip for commute a petrol would be the only option, I have a motorbike I usually use to commute and scratch the speed itch but I'm in an odd place where being very sensible "should" be what I do but not sure I want to lose the fun from driving just yet. I've made a rough shortlist of things to explore that may seem a bit varied, I would appreciate some advice, opinions and any other options that may be worth looking in to.
Audi A5 - always liked the look, likely to be a bit leggy and recall the tfsi of that period using a bit of oil
BMW 325 - had a touring a few years ago that I moved on as I was doing more business mileage and the boot shape didn't work with pram and baby stuff
Ford focus/Mondeo - sensible, seems a bit if a boring choice, most have 0-60 over 10 seconds that I think would feel very mundane
Honda - CRV is sensible, big inside, would be fine for longer family trips (wife has a polestar so not keen on using it for long trips that need charging part way through, civic 1.8 (ex, si, type s) also sensible. Civic type r not so sensible, more my "thing" but finding a decent FN2 at price will be hard
Mazda 3/6 - sport or tamura takuya spec should be fine, more concerned about rust
Mercedes - clc or clk, pro being it's a cheap Merc, con being it's a cheap Merc. More auto options for relaxed driving
Lexus - is250? Finding one without a beige interior seems difficult
Vauxhall - astra gtc, Sri. White goods. Insignia should be the choice but my wife had one that had no end of problems, it's tainted my view of it which is a shame. I just find all Vauxhall's incredibly dull
There are probably more but before I start properly looking I need to get some informed choices made, eBay, autotrader and the hellscape of Facebook marketplace will probably be where I am looking but my neighbour is in the car trade so also may be able to source something a bit more specific.
Quick edit, would also consider a Volvo V50, I also have a weird like of the S40 in sport or R design. I know it's a Focus underneath but perhaps because it's not a Focus it's more appealing.
Edited by Pete-mojsh on Sunday 16th April 10:07
Edited by Pete-mojsh on Sunday 16th April 10:31
Similar position here end of last year. Car used for school runs but gets a good drive out at weekends with motorway stretches so diesel or petrol were options.
Needed room for 2 Labradors and all the normal family family gubbins.
Went for an Audi A6 Avant 2.0 tdi. Wife picked up a mini countryman cooper s a week or so later for similar money.
Both need bits doing, but both are nice tidy cars which will hopefully give a few years good service!
Needed room for 2 Labradors and all the normal family family gubbins.
Went for an Audi A6 Avant 2.0 tdi. Wife picked up a mini countryman cooper s a week or so later for similar money.
Both need bits doing, but both are nice tidy cars which will hopefully give a few years good service!
We just have the one child with no plans for more, albeit a very quickly growing 6 year old so some rear legroom is needed and adequate boot space for a weekly shop and occasional long trips with luggage. My wife has some family in Cornwall that have just had a baby so we may do the odd infrequent visit down there, I'll take a bit of a hit on fuel economy for that but something comfortable for a 5 hour drive is needed.
I would like to have an element of fun but something like a CRV would be also be OK, my wife would also drive it occasionally and she does like a taller car now. That said, although she is not really a car person she did enjoy driving my old 106 GTi when we first met met.
I would like to have an element of fun but something like a CRV would be also be OK, my wife would also drive it occasionally and she does like a taller car now. That said, although she is not really a car person she did enjoy driving my old 106 GTi when we first met met.
This looks to be a decent find:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106...
One owner, 77k mile auto octavia vrs with a clean MOT history and seems well cared for.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106...
One owner, 77k mile auto octavia vrs with a clean MOT history and seems well cared for.
Octaves VRS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040660...
I think a mk5 Golf Gti, Alfa Giulietta 1.4 or a mk2 Focus ST could work at that price too.
I ran a Civic 1.8ex for a couple of years. Up to you but I found it to be easily the most hateful car I've ever had. Couldn't wait to get rid.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040660...
I think a mk5 Golf Gti, Alfa Giulietta 1.4 or a mk2 Focus ST could work at that price too.
I ran a Civic 1.8ex for a couple of years. Up to you but I found it to be easily the most hateful car I've ever had. Couldn't wait to get rid.
This is creepy. I too have a Cupra lease going back this year. I too am doing less miles and have set a similar budget for a used car rather than financing as we’re having to remortgage shortly after the lease goes back….
Think I’ll copy and paste your op in a few months time. Only difference is I’ll have access to another practical car so will be looking for something less practical for myself!
The Mazda 3 would be my go to in your position, followed by the Octavia.
Think I’ll copy and paste your op in a few months time. Only difference is I’ll have access to another practical car so will be looking for something less practical for myself!
The Mazda 3 would be my go to in your position, followed by the Octavia.
GreatGranny said:
I like the mk5 GTI, I assume it's mainly looking for the DSG services on that gearbox as the key area? Giulietta is one to look at, again probably worth looking at history and condition. I did test drive one a few years back and found the 1.4 TB a nice engine, I suppose my concern at the time was on the fuel economy and longevity and ended up with a Leon FR instead.
SmithCorona said:
This looks to be a decent find:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106...
One owner, 77k mile auto octavia vrs with a clean MOT history and seems well cared for.
A facelift one looks decent, huge boot too. I have this in my saved list on Autotrader.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106...
One owner, 77k mile auto octavia vrs with a clean MOT history and seems well cared for.
ChrisH72 said:
Octaves VRS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040660...
I think a mk5 Golf Gti, Alfa Giulietta 1.4 or a mk2 Focus ST could work at that price too.
I ran a Civic 1.8ex for a couple of years. Up to you but I found it to be easily the most hateful car I've ever had. Couldn't wait to get rid.
Also have this saved on Autotrader.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040660...
I think a mk5 Golf Gti, Alfa Giulietta 1.4 or a mk2 Focus ST could work at that price too.
I ran a Civic 1.8ex for a couple of years. Up to you but I found it to be easily the most hateful car I've ever had. Couldn't wait to get rid.
What made the Civic so bad? On paper they look a reasonable choice but the last Civic I drove was an EP3 Civic Type R, sadly the EP3's in budget look very tired now and a decent one goes for strong money.
I bought the civic to replace my celica t sport, a car which I loved, as we were expecting a baby and I needed practicality. I liked that it was Jap, looked quite cool and had Vtec yo!
Sadly, the Vtec in the 1.8 doesn't work like it does in the type r. On paper a sub 9 second 0-60 should be okay but the engine was gutless at low revs and strained and breathless above 5000rpm. There didn't seem to be any rev range where it worked well.
The ride was awful. I like a firm ride and currently have a Fiesta ST but the civic was harsh and crashy. It didn't particularly handle either so there was no benefit.
The shape of the rear doors meant I would always bash my head getting baby in and out. There was good boot space but that rear door was terrible.
On top of that I had electrical gremlins which eventually led to me getting rid. The central locking had a mind of its own and would intermittently lock and unlock whilst driving. Sometimes the boot wouldn't open which was a pain as there's no manual release. Sometimes the back doors wouldn't open. It was random. I had locks and actuators replaced but it kept coming back. And because it was intermittent every time I booked it in to a garage it worked absolutely fine! So much for Honda reliability!
Sadly, the Vtec in the 1.8 doesn't work like it does in the type r. On paper a sub 9 second 0-60 should be okay but the engine was gutless at low revs and strained and breathless above 5000rpm. There didn't seem to be any rev range where it worked well.
The ride was awful. I like a firm ride and currently have a Fiesta ST but the civic was harsh and crashy. It didn't particularly handle either so there was no benefit.
The shape of the rear doors meant I would always bash my head getting baby in and out. There was good boot space but that rear door was terrible.
On top of that I had electrical gremlins which eventually led to me getting rid. The central locking had a mind of its own and would intermittently lock and unlock whilst driving. Sometimes the boot wouldn't open which was a pain as there's no manual release. Sometimes the back doors wouldn't open. It was random. I had locks and actuators replaced but it kept coming back. And because it was intermittent every time I booked it in to a garage it worked absolutely fine! So much for Honda reliability!
Pete-mojsh said:
I like the mk5 GTI, I assume it's mainly looking for the DSG services on that gearbox as the key area?
Every 40k miles I think it was for a DSG service but they're not expensive... couple of hundred quid IIRC at a specialist although I do seem to remember VW offering some kind of equally good offer at the time. I loved my mk5 DSG GTI - one of the best cars I've ever had and despite buying right at the bottom of the price spectrum at the time, sold it a few years later for basically what I'd paid for it. Would definitely entertain another - usual modern VW stuff, spacious, well built and effortlessly (to the point of being boring) quick.ChrisH72 said:
Sadly, the Vtec in the 1.8 doesn't work like it does in the type r. On paper a sub 9 second 0-60 should be okay but the engine was gutless at low revs and strained and breathless above 5000rpm. There didn't seem to be any rev range where it worked well.
The ride was awful. I like a firm ride and currently have a Fiesta ST but the civic was harsh and crashy. It didn't particularly handle either so there was no benefit.
!
I had a 2005 2.0 Type S and totally agree with the engine. On paper it was under 8 seconds to 60, but felt gutless below 5000rpm and I hated thrashing it. Plus when you did drive it hard, you could literally see the fuel gauge going down. The ride was awful. I like a firm ride and currently have a Fiesta ST but the civic was harsh and crashy. It didn't particularly handle either so there was no benefit.
!
The ride was way too firm and crashy and out of the three my family have owned, every single one had suspension knocks that are impossible to diagnose.
Also every single one had numerous siezed callipers and I guarantee the boot will resemble a swimming pool. Oh and turning circle was the worst I have had on any car, to the point where a three point turn is impossible and you can't get into a car parking space in one go. Trying to park or negotiate multi stories was a nightmare, you would need to turn for the car park ramps way earlier than you think just to get around.
They were all going rusty on the arches and if you look underneath every single panel seam was starting to bubble. Every single suspension and braking component will be rusted on which makes working on them a nightmare.
Personally I hate Hondas and would never get another, the two Renaults I have subsequently had were far better cars.
Similar price range I've been shortlisting, and a few on my AutoTrader list:
Ibiza FR (1.4 - The only car on my list that has 0-60 under 8 seconds, but also £20 per year to tax)
A5 (that you've already mentioned, I think the S Line version looks decent)
1 Series M Sport (bit older but looks great)
Ibiza FR (1.4 - The only car on my list that has 0-60 under 8 seconds, but also £20 per year to tax)
A5 (that you've already mentioned, I think the S Line version looks decent)
1 Series M Sport (bit older but looks great)
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Every 40k miles I think it was for a DSG service but they're not expensive... couple of hundred quid IIRC at a specialist although I do seem to remember VW offering some kind of equally good offer at the time. I loved my mk5 DSG GTI - one of the best cars I've ever had and despite buying right at the bottom of the price spectrum at the time, sold it a few years later for basically what I'd paid for it. Would definitely entertain another - usual modern VW stuff, spacious, well built and effortlessly (to the point of being boring) quick.
If you buy a decent one with the right spec (cloth seats, 5 door, red/white, smaller wheels IMO), look after it and don't do too many miles, it will lose next to nothing in value.CrippsCorner said:
Similar price range I've been shortlisting, and a few on my AutoTrader list:
Ibiza FR (1.4 - The only car on my list that has 0-60 under 8 seconds, but also £20 per year to tax)
A5 (that you've already mentioned, I think the S Line version looks decent)
1 Series M Sport (bit older but looks great)
If the FR is the one with the ACT engine then it's a really good option, I had a Leon FR with the 150hp and for what I needed it to do it was brilliant, really economical on a run, I was doing regular 2-300 mile trips for work and found it very comfortable.Ibiza FR (1.4 - The only car on my list that has 0-60 under 8 seconds, but also £20 per year to tax)
A5 (that you've already mentioned, I think the S Line version looks decent)
1 Series M Sport (bit older but looks great)
Giulietta Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...
1.6T GTC SRI 180, these are the pick as they come with the same setup as the VXR:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304055...
I'm bias but the CLK200 Sport is a good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
208 GTI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304166...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...
Scirocco GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...
C30:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303195...
Leftfield
Suzuki Kizashi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303024...
1.6T GTC SRI 180, these are the pick as they come with the same setup as the VXR:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304055...
I'm bias but the CLK200 Sport is a good option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303155...
208 GTI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304166...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...
Scirocco GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303105...
C30:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303195...
Leftfield
Suzuki Kizashi:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303305...
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