Upgrade for a girl - Page 1 - Car Buying

Talitha2

Original Poster

15 posts

81 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 2nd August

Hi to all, Pistonheads has been my go to for car and diy trouble as you guys are commended on forums for not being rude, and I can verify that per my history.
I want to upgrade my Peugeot 308, 2012, 95,000 miles.
I bought it 6yrs ago for 4k, I opted for it at the time because my son was going to be driving it and as he was young I wanted cheap insurance, how and ever he got his own car and I was left with this Peugeot which I never really liked the look of. The irony is this Peugeot is the most reliable car I've ever had, I've not spent any more than general wear and tear on it.

Now I want to change up to a newer and more aesthetically pleasing car. I'm not being diva about it, I'm wondering what my options are. My previous car was bmw 318 2001 and I got more than my moneys worth from that car.
Are bmws still trustworthy? I'm thinking a 2015/16 1 series. My budget being max 7k.
I need a car for just myself, to and from work and long journeys 3-4 times a year. And I do want to look forward to getting into a nice car to drive.
....and would I get 1500 for my Peugeot?
Thanks guys in advance for any help 🤔

Pit Pony

10,217 posts

137 months

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[news]

Saturday 2nd August

You get to a certain point in life where (I quote) : this Peugeot is the most reliable car I've ever had, I've not spent any more than general wear and tear on it.

Hopefully in 4 years you've also serviced it. The thing is would do is run it until it becomes an unreliable piece of s

t.
Meanwhile save up your pennies ready for its replacement.

ZX10R NIN

29,329 posts

141 months

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[news]

Saturday 2nd August

Talitha2

Original Poster

15 posts

81 months

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[news]

Tuesday 5th August

ZX10R NIN said:

Thank you for all these suggestions. Im in the north of Ireland. I've been mulling them all over and I'm now going to go for the A3.
I can up my budget but am so afraid at the same time. Do I go for years old over mileage?

I'd like to get 10yrs before i think of another; Is that realistic without huge upkeep costs? Would you give me your opinion on this one.

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2017-Audi-A3-1-6-TDI-SE...

Thank you.

Tinkermantony

51 posts

43 months

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[news]

Tuesday 5th August

I looked at all of these for my wife and the Mazda 3 sport nav was went went for. You get so much for your money. Its pretty much got everything I have in my BMW 3 series and it handles really nicely.

I wanted a BMW 1 series but they are very difficult to find with similar spec/price point

ZX10R NIN

29,329 posts

141 months

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[news]

Tuesday 5th August

Talitha2 said:

Thank you for all these suggestions. Im in the north of Ireland. I've been mulling them all over and I'm now going to go for the A3.
I can up my budget but am so afraid at the same time. Do I go for years old over mileage?

I'd like to get 10yrs before i think of another; Is that realistic without huge upkeep costs? Would you give me your opinion on this one.

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2017-Audi-A3-1-6-TDI-SE...

Thank you.

Talitha2

Original Poster

15 posts

81 months

[report]

[news]

Wednesday 6th August

ZX10R NIN said:

That one is okay for the price, what I will say is that if you don't mind flying into Edinburugh.

You can get a better car but if you want to stay closer to home then here are some good alternatives.

ZX10R NIN, I really appreciate your replies as I didn't know there were very different models of A3s.

I've had to look them all up and actually write down each ones specs, I've no clue. I take it the one I linked is just OK because it is the basic model.

I wouldn't have the confidence to go across the water to buy a car, I'm already in nerves having to do it locally.

I understand now from your links that the S line is quite sporty, I see that as a man's car. Not for me.

The Sport maybe for me as has a wee bit more flair than Technik. I think there are still variations on all of these that I know zero about.
I really like the Saloon one you linked. How quickly are good A3s snapped up? I imagine they are popular with new drivers with wealthy parents, as they are looking the same perks as I am 😞

Thank you for your advice and links. It's a minefield for me and 10k is me out of available savings. I know no one who knows anything about cars so you have been super helpful.

defblade

7,839 posts

229 months

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[news]

Wednesday 6th August

Talitha2 said:

Do I go for years old over mileage?

Always a tricky question.

The answer, really, is to buy on condition... a high mileage car that's been well maintained/serviced may well be a much better buy than one that's done half the miles but rarely seen new oil.

If you want more for your money, 100k miles is not a death sentance for moden cars, but the prices still tend to fall heavily about this point, there are usually years and years and many thousands of miles left in these cars with little more than routine servicing.

As it's very hard to get a clear picture from an advert, you really need to go and see a few cars (Sit in loads! Sit in ones you've never thought about before! Have fun!) and I'd suggest taking a checklist with you and working through it to help you not getting carried away with the first car you quite fancy (although it might be the one.. smile

).

Examples:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CarTalkUK/comments/vu9itl...
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/buying-and-sell...

Although you can decide for yourself what is important to you - for example, my daughter simply does not care what her car looks like so long as it's comfy and and rides well; she bought a very cheap car which was very cheap as it was scratched and dented all down the passenger side... everything else still works and is nice, bargain. Had it 4 years now with minimal cost.

You sound quite nervous about the process.
Remember - car dealers and test drives are basically free theme parks for adults wink

And don't be afraid with those test drives to completely change what you imagined you wanted - going back to my daughter again, she always wanted a Mini... until we went for a drive in one and it was far too stiff for her liking.
Most importantly, this is not a distress purchase - you have a working car, there's no pressure to buy a replacement before the weekend, or next months, or whenever.

Finally, and a secret I'm fairly sure many dealers would rather you didn't cotton on to: the car you're looking at, which they are trying to sell, is NOT the only one like that ever made despite the way they may try and sell it. In fact, there's probably thousands and thousands of them. If you do miss out to the other (often imaginary) buyers very keen to buy it tomorrow, there'll be another one around, more likely a dozen of 'em. Don't be pressured by Fear Of Missing Out, it's not real!

ZX10R NIN

29,329 posts

141 months

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[news]

Thursday 7th August

Talitha2 said:

ZX10R NIN, I really appreciate your replies as I didn't know there were very different models of A3s.

I've had to look them all up and actually write down each ones specs, I've no clue. I take it the one I linked is just OK because it is the basic model.

I wouldn't have the confidence to go across the water to buy a car, I'm already in nerves having to do it locally.

I understand now from your links that the S line is quite sporty, I see that as a man's car. Not for me.

The Sport maybe for me as has a wee bit more flair than Technik. I think there are still variations on all of these that I know zero about.
I really like the Saloon one you linked. How quickly are good A3s snapped up? I imagine they are popular with new drivers with wealthy parents, as they are looking the same perks as I am ?

Thank you for your advice and links. It's a minefield for me and 10k is me out of available savings. I know no one who knows anything about cars so you have been super helpful.

As above they made 1000's of A3's so they'll sell when they sell, the 2.0tdi Sport I linked to would be my first choice.

Don't worry about a car being sold before you buy it because they'll be another one that comes up.

Go in with the mindset that whatever your looking at has enough positives to get the cold hard cash out of your pocket.

Make sure the car you're looking at has proper service history & everything works.

Venisonpie

4,145 posts

98 months

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[news]

Thursday 7th August

ZX10R NIN said:

As above they made 1000's of A3's so they'll sell when they sell, the 2.0tdi Sport I linked to would be my first choice.

Don't worry about a car being sold before you buy it because they'll be another one that comes up.

Go in with the mindset that whatever your looking at has enough positives to get the cold hard cash out of your pocket.

Make sure the car you're looking at has proper service history & everything works.

And get a V check done once you're at the point of progressing the transaction.

ilikejam

1,145 posts

132 months

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[news]

Thursday 7th August

Talitha2 said:

I understand now from your links that the S line is quite sporty, I see that as a man's car. Not for me.

The Sport maybe for me as has a wee bit more flair than Technik. I think there are still variations on all of these that I know zero about.
I really like the Saloon one you linked. How quickly are good A3s snapped up? I imagine they are popular with new drivers with wealthy parents, as they are looking the same perks as I am ?

Each individual car could have had certain options added to it by the original owner, but in very rough terms from low to high in order of trim level would be:
SE --> SE Technik --> Sport --> S Line --> Black Edition --> Vorsprung

As well as getting more equipment as you go up the levels they do also tend to look more 'sporty'. Whichever level you go for, try and treat yourself to one with heated seats! There will be a wee button to the side of the temperature knob that's usually blank, unless the original owner added heating.

Talitha2

Original Poster

15 posts

81 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 8th August

You guys have been so helpful to me.

I am going to use the car ZX10R NIN favourited as my benchmark, the White 2.0 TDI SPORT (I'm assuming you mean the one at 10.4K) I was worried about insurance on that one but I've put all its details into my Hastings for a new quote and it's 482 for their Premier cover. My Peugeot was 410 in March for their basic cover.
I also looked up 1.6 vs 2.0 re fuel and I think I'm OK to go for 2.0 as I definitely would love driving it more and google tells me the difference is negligible.
I would go look at that car now except my Peugeot is pristine white, I know it's silly but I've now got an aversion to white cars no matter how stunning, as it has bored me so much in 6yrs. My preference would be black. I think they look great in black, or grey but my neighbour has a big grey Audi and I think he loves it so I wouldn't want to outshine him with my wee A3 in grey. It'll have to be black for me as I feel nothing toward any red or blue cars. Silver maybe yes.
Fingers crossed my car comes up and i get it before September's out.
I have screenshot all replies and links in case this thread closes.
Thank you so much ZX10R NIN, defblade, venisonpie and ilikejam, you have been so good to advise me and I'm so grateful.

Terzo123

4,578 posts

224 months

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[news]

Friday 8th August

Something like this would be decent, and comes with warranty.

https://approvedusedminis.co.uk/vehicle/2025062438...

You can get them a lot cheaper privately or through a non franchise dealer, but they are cracking little cars, with a BMW touch.

ZX10R NIN

29,329 posts

141 months

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[news]

Saturday 9th August

Talitha2 said:

You guys have been so helpful to me.

I am going to use the car ZX10R NIN favourited as my benchmark, the White 2.0 TDI SPORT (I'm assuming you mean the one at 10.4K) I was worried about insurance on that one but I've put all its details into my Hastings for a new quote and it's 482 for their Premier cover. My Peugeot was 410 in March for their basic cover.
I also looked up 1.6 vs 2.0 re fuel and I think I'm OK to go for 2.0 as I definitely would love driving it more and google tells me the difference is negligible.
I would go look at that car now except my Peugeot is pristine white, I know it's silly but I've now got an aversion to white cars no matter how stunning, as it has bored me so much in 6yrs. My preference would be black. I think they look great in black, or grey but my neighbour has a big grey Audi and I think he loves it so I wouldn't want to outshine him with my wee A3 in grey. It'll have to be black for me as I feel nothing toward any red or blue cars. Silver maybe yes.
Fingers crossed my car comes up and i get it before September's out.
I have screenshot all replies and links in case this thread closes.
Thank you so much ZX10R NIN, defblade, venisonpie and ilikejam, you have been so good to advise me and I'm so grateful.

As you already seen the fuel difference id minimal & in reality the 2.0tdi is a more relaxing drive, go to a local Audi main dealer to look at the colours in the flesh as you may find the other colours can work for you.

I hope your search yields the right result. smile

ilikejam

1,145 posts

132 months

[report]

[news]

Monday

Talitha2 said:

You guys have been so helpful to me.

I am going to use the car ZX10R NIN favourited as my benchmark, the White 2.0 TDI SPORT (I'm assuming you mean the one at 10.4K) I was worried about insurance on that one but I've put all its details into my Hastings for a new quote and it's 482 for their Premier cover. My Peugeot was 410 in March for their basic cover.
I also looked up 1.6 vs 2.0 re fuel and I think I'm OK to go for 2.0 as I definitely would love driving it more and google tells me the difference is negligible.
I would go look at that car now except my Peugeot is pristine white, I know it's silly but I've now got an aversion to white cars no matter how stunning, as it has bored me so much in 6yrs. My preference would be black. I think they look great in black, or grey but my neighbour has a big grey Audi and I think he loves it so I wouldn't want to outshine him with my wee A3 in grey. It'll have to be black for me as I feel nothing toward any red or blue cars. Silver maybe yes.
Fingers crossed my car comes up and i get it before September's out.
I have screenshot all replies and links in case this thread closes.
Thank you so much ZX10R NIN, defblade, venisonpie and ilikejam, you have been so good to advise me and I'm so grateful.

Remember to come back and tell us what you've bought in the end! (photos are also mandatory)

Talitha2

Original Poster

15 posts

81 months

[report]

[news]

Monday

ilikejam said:

Remember to come back and tell us what you've bought in the end! (photos are also mandatory)

I was wondering should I do that but I hate the thought of cluttering up a forum with nonsense, which my car worries probably are.

I've also slightly changed my mind as out and about over the weekend I was spotting them but thinking they look a bit like Seats or Astras. I will update when I get one. I looked up BM 3 series and think I could get one of them for maybe 9k and hold onto 'some' ready cash. I prefer the look of BM's but thought they'd be too expensive to buy, tax and insure.

But no one here suggested them so I was going to go it alone. I will update when I get one of either. I aporeciate i have never driven an Audi so i will be looking at both. Minefield!

RSTurboPaul

12,124 posts

274 months

[report]

[news]

Monday

BMW Compact?

ZX10R NIN

29,329 posts

141 months

[report]

[news]

Monday

Talitha2 said:

I was wondering should I do that but I hate the thought of cluttering up a forum with nonsense, which my car worries probably are.

I've also slightly changed my mind as out and about over the weekend I was spotting them but thinking they look a bit like Seats or Astras. I will update when I get one. I looked up BM 3 series and think I could get one of them for maybe 9k and hold onto 'some' ready cash. I prefer the look of BM's but thought they'd be too expensive to buy, tax and insure.

But no one here suggested them so I was going to go it alone. I will update when I get one of either. I aporeciate i have never driven an Audi so i will be looking at both. Minefield!

You didn't say that's why no one offered up alternatives:

420d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507024...

320d Luxury:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508015...

220d M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507315...

Infiniti Q30 Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302...

Talitha2

Original Poster

15 posts

81 months

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[news]

Yesterday (18:51)

Hi Guys I have more questions if you could help with, sorry.

Looking at the 320 luxury BM that X10R NIN linked for example, that would be a car I'd def buy, mostly because of 2 owners, FSH and mileage. I did a full check today, I assume that is the autotrader thing for 4.95 and it was all clear, there was no mot history on there but I got that from gov website, all passes.

That is a private seller so for me I'd be going to look it over, take it for a drive and check FSH and if all sounds and feels good to my girl brain I'd buy it right there and then. Is that stupid, are there other things I would need to check/ask?

Am I getting a much better deal in general from a private seller? Should 'no comeback' there be a concern for someone like me?

Also can I haggle, how likely do you think that seller would accept 9k cash there and then?

Its mot is up in October, is that of any concern from a private seller?

That car is automatic so I had to look them up and checked out comparison threads on here for info vs manual and it wouldn't be for me. I've never driven one so wouldn't even be capable of taking it for a test drive. My questions are for going forward in my quest.
Thank you.

ZX10R NIN

29,329 posts

141 months

[report]

[news]

Yesterday (19:28)

Driving an Auto is easy & it actually suits the engine better than the manual.

If you can drive a manual you can easily drive an auto & after a couple of weeks you won't want to swap back.

Yes you can buy it there & then, you can haggle & negotiate with the seller the worst they can say is no.

Just remember not to use your left leg the rest is the same as a manual.