New vs Second Hand

Foxy-Stoat_3

I would buy a manual 1.9 tdi PD engined car, 2001-2005 year, Golf, Passat, A4/A6, Octavia, Fabia, Leon for upto £5000. Run that for a couple of years and see how it goes. You may find that you only spend out on services, tyres and brakes. Diesel costs will be around £0.12 per mile.

If your doing 25,000 miles a year you want a mid to largish sized diesel, you dont want a diesel with known terminal/expensive issues. So your left with 9-13 year old cars or brand new, avoid anything inbetween.

Look at some of the A6's that are for sale, some have over 200,000+ miles so you shouldnt be put off buying one with 100-120,000 miles, as long as its been serviced at least once a year or every 8-10,000 miles.

andyfr_2

I think it's up to the individual and their own circumstances and what they feel is important. We are all different so have varying perspectives.

My wife and I buy new cars and usually sell when they get to 5 years old even though we only cover around 8,000 a year in each of them. That's suits our circumstances.

utopia_11

andyfr wrote: »

I think it's up to the individual and their own circumstances and what they feel is important. We are all different so have varying perspectives.

My wife and I buy new cars and usually sell when they get to 5 years old even though we only cover around 8,000 a year in each of them. That's suits our circumstances.

From a money saving perspective surely this isn't the most viable option?

andyfr_2

No but I did say it suits our circumstances.

GwylimT

I wouldn't buy new unless I had money to throw away, I'm picking up a honda on Sunday, its a year old, just over 9,000 miles on the clock, body work is in perfect order, mechanically sound and HPi clear. £10,499. New it would have been £20,000.

Buying second hand is a fantastic option for many, its cheaper, but you have the option if nearly new of still being within the MOT free three years and the manufacturers warranty.

utopia_11

andyfr wrote: »

No but I did say it suits our circumstances.

How so? If by your own admission you only do circa 8k miles a year in each car? It would make sense to get a new car every 5 years or so if you do mega miles. Unless of course, you just want a shiny new car every 5 years.

andyfr_2

I personally get bored with cars after a couple of years and feel like a change. It's our luxury if you like, nothing to do with economics.

Lifes_Grand_Plan

GwylimT wrote: »

I wouldn't buy new unless I had money to throw away, I'm picking up a honda on Sunday, its a year old, just over 9,000 miles on the clock, body work is in perfect order, mechanically sound and HPi clear. £10,499. New it would have been £20,000.

Buying second hand is a fantastic option for many, its cheaper, but you have the option if nearly new of still being within the MOT free three years and the manufacturers warranty.

Sounds like a good deal. Which Honda is that please?

Lifes_Grand_Plan

24,000 miles per year is a lot of time in a car and is going to cost you a fair whack on fuel and car purchase/maintenance..... I hope they are paying you well for that as it'll get very tedious very quickly I would imagine.

As to the original question - there is no right or wrong answer to be honest, it will depend on what is most important to the OP.

New or nearly new car will be more expensive initially but will give peace of mind and should be more reliable, economical and comfortable (like for like)

Older car will be cheaper initially but probably less reliable, less economical and less comfortable, again like for like.

utopia_11

What about renting? Surely that's the most economical? Single rooms can be had in Ruislip for £450 a month including bills. The OP can walk to work and would make considerable savings as well as saving commuter time.


Spending that long in a car can become tiresome and uncomfortable