Returned to UK - what car?

[Richard-viz9g]

Hi guys,

Just returned to UK after a number of years living in Sri Lanka. Complete import ban on cars over there since 2018 so I’m very out of touch. I drove a 2018 Land Cruiser Prado over there, which was about as premium as it got…

Needed a quick purchase on my return so got my wife a 2021 Mini Countryman Hybrid. So any least have wheels to get us around. So now have a bit more time to buy the main car.

Budget - Absolute max of GBP40k - but would prefer to spend nearer 30k given I’ve always had a habit of some donkey putting a dint / scratch down it which is depressing at the best of time. I usually buy my cars 2 -3 years old / 20-30k miles.

Only do 5-8k a year. Family of 4. Kids are 12 and 9. Needs to fit 2 sets golf clubs / 2 trolleys.
Previous cars: S5, X5, 4 Series GC…

I started the search with EV - looked at the i4 M50. Very top of budget. But the more I read about EV in UK, seems a risky purchase with a big drop in demand for used?
Then had a look at the EQC and e-tron…. Meh…

Petrol - my wish for something different made me look at the Levante, but reviews not great. Porsche Mecan… again top of budget.

As you see, I’m a bit all over the place…

Any thoughts from those closer to the UK market than I’ve been these last years most welcome.

Many thanks.

[FamousPheasant]

The world is your oyster with that budget.

Depends what you favour - luxury or sportiness? With that mileage, are running costs a priority? SUV, estate or hatchback saloon?

As you said, EVs have been taking a bit of a pummeling in the second hand market, could they still represent a risk to depreciation going forward? Maybe. Regardless anything at that age, regardless of fuel, is going to depreciate at least 10% a year.

If it was me with that mileage I would be going petrol. If sporty, slightly left field, SUVs are your thing I would be looking at an Alfa Stelvio veloce at the lower end of the budget or a Jag F-Pace SVR if you want to go full PH:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407191...

Otherwise S4 avant, 340i touring, c43 would all be in budget if you prefer an estate. There are loads of great cars at that money.

[Richard-viz9g]

Thanks.

Not a fan of estates…. SUV or something sporty like my 4 series GC…

What are the F- Pace at the bottom end of my budget like? Something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024050894...

[fflump]

For an estate an E53 is in budget nice engine by all accounts with electric assistance to the turbo to remove lag.

The Levante is pretty good value used IMO. The engine in the V6S is a great sounding thing and no slouch either.

If you like different I'd take a look at the Stelvio QF though it is a class smaller than the Levante.

[joshcowin]

Richard-viz9g said:

Thanks.

Not a fan of estates…. SUV or something sporty like my 4 series GC…

What are the F- Pace at the bottom end of my budget like? Something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024050894...

SQ5 would be worth a look and where I would buy, £30k-£35k will get you a lovely car they do a diesel and petrol version. Some people hate Audi if that's the case then the GLC may be worth a look they do a fair few options including a coupe body the GLC43amg looks like a lot of car for the money.

The Jaguars look great don't they but I think the reliability is very poor especially in the 2.0D.

[FamousPheasant]

joshcowin said:

Richard-viz9g said:

Thanks.

Not a fan of estates…. SUV or something sporty like my 4 series GC…

What are the F- Pace at the bottom end of my budget like? Something like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024050894...

SQ5 would be worth a look and where I would buy, £30k-£35k will get you a lovely car they do a diesel and petrol version. Some people hate Audi if that's the case then the GLC may be worth a look they do a fair few options including a coupe body the GLC43amg looks like a lot of car for the money.

The Jaguars look great don't they but I think the reliability is very poor especially in the 2.0D.

The petrols are better than the diesel, which indeed has a terrible reputation. The 5l S/C is probably the way to go if reliability is the concern.

[wyson]

Lexus NX or Toyota RAV4.

[LRDefender]

I'd second the RAV4.

I've been looking at these for when I'm in the UK and they are great. Cheap to buy and run, comfy and reliable.

[CapScarlet]

joshcowin said:

SQ5 would be worth a look and where I would buy, £30k-£35k will get you a lovely car they do a diesel and petrol version. Some people hate Audi if that's the case then the GLC may be worth a look they do a fair few options including a coupe body the GLC43amg looks like a lot of car for the money.

I have a current gen (diesel) SQ5 which is an awesome drive (not so much at low speeds) and has decent MPG on a run (40+ mpg on a run). The Merc will be super thirsty but having owned a diesel Glc, they are the better choice if comfort is your main goal.

[joshcowin]

CapScarlet said:

joshcowin said:

SQ5 would be worth a look and where I would buy, £30k-£35k will get you a lovely car they do a diesel and petrol version. Some people hate Audi if that's the case then the GLC may be worth a look they do a fair few options including a coupe body the GLC43amg looks like a lot of car for the money.

I have a current gen (diesel) SQ5 which is an awesome drive (not so much at low speeds) and has decent MPG on a run (40+ mpg on a run). The Merc will be super thirsty but having owned a diesel Glc, they are the better choice if comfort is your main goal.

Interesting insight thanks, a mate had a diesel glc which was really nice but I never drove it or spent much time in it, I have an old Q5 which is well built and very comfy (imo) but not anywhere near this price bracket so irrelevant.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a good look at the Kia Stinger it's a great family car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407191...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405059...

If you want a smart SUV then take a good look at the Genesis GV70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406251...

[bennno]

I’d take a look / sit in a Tesla 3/y, ionic 5, ex30, lightly used v90.