Help me buy my next car

[shanem9633]

Hello PH

I need to buy yet another car -.- I have been extremely unlucky with buying cars lately.

Budget 12kish. Would prefer 60k miles or so but I am slightly flexible depending on the vehicle and costs.

I would prefer a diesel estate with plenty of room. Needs to be economical. auto or manual. Cruise control is a must and non negotiable.

I had a Honda civic estate recently 1.6dtec but it had a few electrical issues. Awesome car other than that though and did average 95mpg on a 50 mile journey and regularly got 70-80mpg without issues.

I would prefer it as close to Southampton as possible as have been stung with distance selling buy a car sight unseen before.

Any recommendations on what I should be looking for?

Kind Regards
Shane

[Hugo Stiglitz v2]

Panda 4X4

[bennno]

Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:

Panda 4X4

" I would prefer a diesel estate with plenty of room "

[samoht]

This is your requirements in AT (bar cruise control, but I'd hope most newish cars will have that)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...

A 2020 Kia should still have 3 years remaining factory warranty
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

The other option would be to look for a manufacturer approved used car with 12 months warranty
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408072...

[blue_haddock]

For a big spacious estate i'd be looking for a skoda superb.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409194...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408213...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402256...

Edited by blue_haddock on Tuesday 22 October 17:11

[Trevor555]

shanem9633 said:

Hello PH

I need to buy yet another car -.- I have been extremely unlucky with buying cars lately.

Kind Regards
Shane

Take someone with you when you buy, that knows cars.

Try your best to buy locally, it's then easier for a dealer to sort any issues post sale.

Try to put a deposit on the car with a credit card. That can be helpful if you encounter problems post purchase.

Print the advert for any car you buy, including the description in the advert. It can be important if you encounter problems post purchase.

If you can't find anything locally look to see if Cinch have anything you fancy, they'll deliver it to your house. Then if it's not a nice car you can simply tell them you don't want it anymore, and they'll come and pick it up, and refund your money.

Loads of people come onto Pistonheads to ask for advice after buying a problem car. Taking someone who knows cars could help prevent a lot of these, that's my strongest advice to you.

[573]

Genuinely baffles me that anyone bothers to use this forum and

- they want a diesel, estate
- they don't know how to use classifieds


I'm obviously wrong, but my assumption would be that if you're on here you have at least a passing interest in cars. £12k to spend though and no idea how to do it or ambition beyond the mundane. Odd.

[shanem9633]

Hey

Thanks for the reply. It's not that I don't know how to search autotrader. But clearly the cars I am buying haven't exactly been trouble free. Hence me asking incase someone comes up with something I wouldn't normally consider?

[Hugo Stiglitz v2]

No secondhand car can be classed as trouble free.

Buy on full annual history with receipts. That's what I do.

[573]

shanem9633 said:

Hey

Thanks for the reply. It's not that I don't know how to search autotrader. But clearly the cars I am buying haven't exactly been trouble free. Hence me asking incase someone comes up with something I wouldn't normally consider?

Stick the money in a savings account and get a lease then. New car, warranty, issues are someone else's problems.

[shanem9633]

Lovely suggestion but in the process of buying my first home and mortgage companies are a bit wary about monthly payments and the amount I may be able to borrow.

[shanem9633]

As for the kia and Peugeot suggestions I will do some research on them as they look okay for what I need.

The superb is a car I've looked at many times but never actually got round to viewing or purchasing. Had a few problems with vag/German cars now and somewhat scared of potential bills.

[samoht]

Lots of good advice already above for finding a reliable car, I'd add some further ideas to consider
- don't buy the cheapest example on the market
- get the car inspected by e.g. the AA before buying
- buy a normally aspirated petrol, not a turbodiesel (accepting worse motorway economy for better reliability)
- buy a Toyota as it won't go wrong (& you can get 10 yrs warranty by servicing with them)
- buy a Ford or Vauxhall as parts will be cheap when it does go wrong
- buy a smaller/cheaper/less fashionable car as you'll get a newer example for your budget
- read the service history before buying, see if it's had any recurring or recent issues

[Hugo Stiglitz v2]

samoht said:

Lots of good advice

Yes but for 12k would buy a Cayman or Boxster

[shanem9633]

Not sure you read the main bit about wanting a big roomy estate diesel? Has to be reliable and economical? Not sure these options count or a Fiat panda unfortunately.

[Jimjimhim]

How many miles a year do you do? I presume lots of you want a diesel.

[fido]

The Civic 1.6D seems to be reliable so maybe another [newer] one. Think i'm going hybrid for my next runabout.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Insignia in either Elite Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410034...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...

Or SRI VX Line Nav spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410125...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407181...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407131...

These are great family car.