What car for in-laws - £30k to £40k budget

[Crispy Pigeon]

My in-laws have decided they want to spend £30k to £40k of their retirement money on a new car. They don't really know what to go for, but had been considering buying a new or nearly new Lexus NX300H and said they had a quote for about £38k.

They are in their 60s and fair to say they are not petrol heads. They are looking to pay cash.

These are their requirements:

• SUV crossover body
• Fairly compact size so they feel comfortable driving it - they described the Lexus NX450 as being too big
• Reliable, as they want to pay for it outright, so preferably something within warranty that doesn't go too wrong
• Probably petrol or a petrol hybrid - they probably do about 5,000 miles a year, so a hybrid or electric isn't worth it and not enough miles for a diesel
• Automatic
• Preferred features would be automatic parking, rear camera for parking and a panoramic sunroof
• Safe and with enough room in rear seats and boot for driving young grandkids and their stuff around
• They would prefer something with a mainstream badge or perceived luxury status, like a German or Japanese manufacturer

They are fairly cautious drivers, so something fun or exciting to drive is not necessary (sorry guys).

Very grateful for any suggestions to help them out!

[Canon_Fodder]

RR Evoque perhaps?

[Mo28]

Think you've already answered the question. The Lexus ticks all the boxes and can be had with 10 years warranty if they continue to service the car at the main dealers.

[Crispy Pigeon]

Thanks for the responses. They certainly like the Land Rover brand, but are concerned about reliability, given they will be owning outright. The Lexus is probably a lot more reliable?

Good to know if you think the Lexus is one of the best choices, but my concern was that reviews were not exactly amazing and I wondered if the hybrid engine was pushing up the cost and not really worth it for their mileage.

I had wondered about suggesting to them to spend a bit less on this car as well and maybe use it to replace their other ancient car - maybe with something that offers a bit different like a little runaround or a convertible MX5 or something for a bit of fun.

Any other ideas on cars to consider gratefully received, thanks.

[neil-c]

Really depends what they want. Personally I wouldn’t spend 30-40k on a Lexus to do 5k miles a year but I can understand why they appeal as a brand. Have they looked at the Lexus UX range? BMW X1 or X2 be of interest as both come with decent petrol options. Would pure electric be of interest?

Edited by neil-c on Saturday 31st July 21:54

[loskie]

Worth looking at an XC40 too or a Skoda Karoq

[Pica-Pica]

Crispy Pigeon said:

.
They certainly like the Land Rover brand, but are concerned about reliability, given they will be owning outright. The Lexus is probably a lot more reliable?

Is the Pope….?
Does a bear….?
And other rhetorical questions.
Land Rover? no!
Lexus? Yes, yes, and yes. Much more reliable. Much more fitting for them.

[scoey1001]

Bloke at work has had two nx300h's over the last 6 years and been very happy with them.

[J6542]

Toyota RAV4 can also be had with 10 years warranty

[troika]

Subaru. Any of them really, XV, Forester or Outback depending on preference.

[troika]

Canon_Fodder said:

RR Evoque perhaps?

Not when reliability is a key criteria.

[rosejem]

The new Toyota Yaris Crossover could be an option. Should start seeing them in dealers around September .
Well within budget .

[ZX10R NIN]

When they're doing so few miles it doesn't make sense to buy new, Lexus will Warranty any Lexus until it's 12 years old or reaches 100k with this in mind if they went for a lightly used NX300h with around 20-30k on the clock they would get the car they want & have a decent amount of change left.

F Sport with the Premium Pack & a years warranty inc:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104121...

Premier

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106123...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...

There's nothing wrong with the NX they're a very good car for getting from A-B with no fuss where they don't score highly is in the driving dynamics BUT I don't think your in laws are to worried about that seeing as they want an SUV with comfort/reliability high on the list of must haves.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 1st August 10:01

[Dolf Stoppard]

I think with Lexus the thing to do is ignore the reviews and just drive one. If your parents like the way it looks and drives then it's unlikely they would be disappointed with the ownership experience.

It won't break, dealers are brilliant, you don't see that many around, and people won't think your parents are drug dealers.

NX is a step up from the UX which I know some people have criticised for not having the best build quality.

[Crispy Pigeon]

Thanks all for the helpful comments and the suggestions of alternatives, which I'll run by them. I am quite impressed with the Lexus warranty and hadn't appreciated that before, as I've never really looked at getting one myself, and it does seem like it probably is the front-runner. Any idea what the depreciation is like on one of these?

I have also gently expressed the view to them that spending this amount and buying new is probably not the best value for money given their mileage, etc. I think a large part is that their have lived quite frugally most of their lives and never bought a new car, so they quite fancied the experience.

ZX10R NIN thanks for the links - it looks like they could get a lightly used one for about £10k less than new. If they have budgeted to spend this much on a car (I know they could go on a holiday or invest it or something, but it's not my money), any suggestions on a second car that offers something different for a £10k budget? Maybe a soft-top or a EV or city run-around or something? All suggestions and idea very welcome.

Thanks again all.

[ZX10R NIN]

Crispy Pigeon said:

Thanks all for the helpful comments and the suggestions of alternatives, which I'll run by them. I am quite impressed with the Lexus warranty and hadn't appreciated that before, as I've never really looked at getting one myself, and it does seem like it probably is the front-runner. Any idea what the depreciation is like on one of these?

I have also gently expressed the view to them that spending this amount and buying new is probably not the best value for money given their mileage, etc. I think a large part is that their have lived quite frugally most of their lives and never bought a new car, so they quite fancied the experience.

ZX10R NIN thanks for the links - it looks like they could get a lightly used one for about £10k less than new. If they have budgeted to spend this much on a car (I know they could go on a holiday or invest it or something, but it's not my money), any suggestions on a second car that offers something different for a £10k budget? Maybe a soft-top or a EV or city run-around or something? All suggestions and idea very welcome.

Thanks again all.

Having gone safe with the Lexus I'd go for something a bit different.

370Z Convertible real nice solid steer with a nice N/A drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093...

Alfa Spider a car that feels more special than the sum of it's parts:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...

SLK 200 AMG Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107305...

Or if you want to combine a city car with the need for a soft top then there's the Abarth 595:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

Or the DS3 Ultra Prestige 165

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...

DSport 165

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107034...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106214...

[Crispy Pigeon]

Very helpful suggestions and ideas - thanks a lot. I'll put it all to them and see what they say!

[Casa1862]

I think a new model NX is on its way if not available to order now. Might as well go for the new model if they have the cash, YOLO and all that.

[Casa1862]

Orders open from 1st September
https://www.lexus.co.uk/car-models/all-new-nx/?gcl...