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Which Car Do I Buy?
I've narrowed down my choice of cars to four and would welcome some input from others.
My budget is £10k at a push though of course I don't need to spend that much. I need space for my growing family as I have a second child on the way and at present am not likely to do many more that 5k a year until I decide to progress roles in my company (too cushy at present and can walk to work!).
Option 1- Ford Focus; Safe but bland option. Cheap to run and insure and can get late, decent spec low mileage model with cash to spare. However they're as common as a cold and down excite me!
Option 2- Lexus IS220d; Personally I think they're great looking cars and offer luxury at a decent price. Good economy with that engine and more room that the Focus. Downsides; more expensive to maintain should anything go wrong and will cost more to insure. Also to get a new shape model in my budget would likely be a high-ish mileage ex-lease car.
Option 3- VW Golf GT Tdi; Very safe and smart looking cars IMO with good performance.
Option 4- BMW 3 Series; Much the same as the Lexus in my eyes. Great cars within budget but am I being silly? In my budget the new shape models will be higher mileage examples.
All four are good cars and maybe it's a case of them all being sound choices depending on the specific cars I find.
Any thoughts?
My budget is £10k at a push though of course I don't need to spend that much. I need space for my growing family as I have a second child on the way and at present am not likely to do many more that 5k a year until I decide to progress roles in my company (too cushy at present and can walk to work!).
Option 1- Ford Focus; Safe but bland option. Cheap to run and insure and can get late, decent spec low mileage model with cash to spare. However they're as common as a cold and down excite me!
Option 2- Lexus IS220d; Personally I think they're great looking cars and offer luxury at a decent price. Good economy with that engine and more room that the Focus. Downsides; more expensive to maintain should anything go wrong and will cost more to insure. Also to get a new shape model in my budget would likely be a high-ish mileage ex-lease car.
Option 3- VW Golf GT Tdi; Very safe and smart looking cars IMO with good performance.
Option 4- BMW 3 Series; Much the same as the Lexus in my eyes. Great cars within budget but am I being silly? In my budget the new shape models will be higher mileage examples.
All four are good cars and maybe it's a case of them all being sound choices depending on the specific cars I find.
Any thoughts?
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Comments
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not the vw, unreliable junk0
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i run a golf gt as my company car its 3 years old now the 170bhp model and it has 83,000 miles now. its been ultra reliable it does everything i want it too but the boot is simply too small.
the lexus for me wont be as good on fuel as you imagine ..just from speaking to a couple of guys i knew who had them i get up to 60 mpg on a steady motorway drive and average 45 as i like spirited driving lol.
If i were you i would go for the focus but you should consider something like a renault scenic diesel .. masses of space good on fuel but maybe not so reliable or fun to drive.0 -
I've a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I've bought a seat leon, the same size as some of the cars you've mention. really its too small for the kids and all their gear. with your budget I'd seriously go for some sort of people carrier. If I could have afforded one I would hav defo got a VW touran - I couldn't but you can with your budget. Also note with the mileage your doing its not econoical to buy a diesel. On average they cost 1000+ more than their petrol equivalent probably more in your budget, and if you compare cost of fuel/MPG over the mileage you do you'll see you'll save much more on your purchase cost than you will in running costs. Establish the MPG's from parkers.co.uk do the maths and you'll see.No reliance should be placed on the above.0
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i run a golf gt as my company car its 3 years old now the 170bhp model and it has 83,000 miles now. its been ultra reliable it does everything i want it too but the boot is simply too small.
the lexus for me wont be as good on fuel as you imagine ..just from speaking to a couple of guys i knew who had them i get up to 60 mpg on a steady motorway drive and average 45 as i like spirited driving lol.
If i were you i would go for the focus but you should consider something like a renault scenic diesel .. masses of space good on fuel but maybe not so reliable or fun to drive.
That's what worries about the Golf. With two little children it may be a touch small. Don't care for the Renault; it's going to be one of the four!0 -
I've a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I've bought a seat leon, the same size as some of the cars you've mention. really its too small for the kids and all their gear. with your budget I'd seriously go for some sort of people carrier. If I could have afforded one I would hav defo got a VW touran - I couldn't but you can with your budget. Also note with the mileage your doing its not econoical to buy a diesel. On average they cost 1000+ more than their petrol equivalent probably more in your budget, and if you compare cost of fuel/MPG over the mileage you do you'll see you'll save much more on your purchase cost than you will in running costs. Establish the MPG's from parkers.co.uk do the maths and you'll see.
Realistically I will have the car 5 years all being well and I expect to up my mileage enough to make it cost effective for a diesel but I take your point. I really don't think I need a people carrier but it's a further option I guess.0 -
I'd probably go with the vehicle you think will last the longest with the least repair throughout. You just have to decide whether you want style over practicality.0
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I've a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I've bought a seat leon, the same size as some of the cars you've mention. really its too small for the kids and all their gear. with your budget I'd seriously go for some sort of people carrier. If I could have afforded one I would hav defo got a VW touran - I couldn't but you can with your budget. Also note with the mileage your doing its not econoical to buy a diesel. On average they cost 1000+ more than their petrol equivalent probably more in your budget, and if you compare cost of fuel/MPG over the mileage you do you'll see you'll save much more on your purchase cost than you will in running costs. Establish the MPG's from parkers.co.uk do the maths and you'll see.I'd probably go with the vehicle you think will last the longest with the least repair throughout. You just have to decide whether you want style over practicality.
Very much temped by style! Worked hard and saved hard for 5 years and I feel I deserve a nice car for the first time.0 -
Yawn...not yet another thread about which car to buy from you, this must be the umpteenth, for heavens sake, none of us can choose for you.
Each time anyone suggests something, you seem to come up with some excuse for not buying it.
This has been going on for weeks now.
Get off of your backside, go and try a few, buy the one you like.0 -
Get off of your backside, go and try a few, buy the one you like.
I agree with Inactive. Then you would see that something like a Lexus IS is useless as a family car. The back is hopelessly cramped, you bang your head trying to put kids in as the rear door opening is terrible, the boot is tiny and badly shaped. This car is designed for reps to carry their laptops around in. Not what your looking for.
Go and find a decent Focus.European for 3 weeks in August, the rest of the year only British and proud.0 -
Yawn...not yet another thread about which car to buy from you, this must be the umpteenth, for heavens sake, none of us can choose for you.
Each time anyone suggests something, you seem to come up with some excuse for not buying it.
This has been going on for weeks now.
Get off of your backside, go and try a few, buy the one you like.
what are the excuses for not buying a Jazz? They tick every box under the sun0
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