New car suggestions

Bettiboppa

Hi, I'm after some suggestions on what car to go for. I've been thinking/looking for almost 6 months now and really don't know what to go for. My price range is up to around 15k preferably on a PCP. DH has washed his hands with me faffing and so isn't interested in offering any further input. I've jumped around thinking of a C3 to Vitara, from a Picanto to an ASX and back again.
 I currently have a little 54 plate Suzuki Jimny that has well served its purpose as a stop gap car for the last 3 years after handing back my NHS salary sacrifice lease car C4 Cactus when I changed jobs and now I'm after a bit more comfort and poke (anything else will have more comfort and poke than a Jimny, 2nd and 3rd gear uphill max - if you know you know 🤣) 
So ideally I'm after something at least 1.2 engine, 2016 onward, 5 door, all normal  comforts, aircon, dab, Bluetooth etc. Not fussed about sat nav or cameras, preferably a level loading boot or not too deep a lip to hump overfilled shopping bags out of the Cactus was a nightmare for that and pulled my back a few times because of it. Something I can comfortably get 6 shopping bags in. I'm not that fussed on make or model other than DHs only input is no to Fiesta, Corsa, Fiat 500, or Clio. Don't have any kids to taxi around, do have 2 black labs that occasionally get in Jimny with me but mostly they travel with DH in his car (cage is fixed in his). I drive 36miles round trip daily and probably drive around 200 at weekends (pre and post lockdown) when we go to our Static caravan. I know it might sound ridiculous to some asking on here - I'm just a simple woman asking for suggestions🤓 and any would be great❣️

AdrianC

Umm, this might sound daft... But have you actually been to the dealers who supply the cars on your paper shortlist, poked the cars in the showroom, and test-driven them?

tommyedinburgh

Do not step foot on a forecourt until you have established the make, model and spec of the car you are wanting to buy.

Your other half's input re makes and models is solid advice - I think your first step should be to build bridges there and tackle this together, if you are on here looking for advice you are absolutely easy picking for being sold something you don't want or need.

I'd personally recommend Seat/Skoda/Volkswagen/Audi in that order - personal choice and all that.

Kattekwaad

Start thinking about ride height (ie your age and movement), saloon, hatchback or estate (from what you have said the saloon won't be in the running).   Get a basic picture in your head what you want (reality might change that).   Then start going through the car websites (What Car, Auto Express etc) and watch video reviews.  You might be surprised at some that you think may fit the bill but weren't on the short list.

When you find something of interest ask your husband (keep him onside) to check for common issues with models of interest.

All the time get a feel for the market so you know what to expect pricewise and how that changes during this difficult period.

I have usually ended up buying cars that were never on my initial short list.

Good luck it can be quite fun (at least at the start) and don't bother testing every car you show a passing interest in.  These dealers are sharks and painful to shake off once they think they have their teeth into you.  Losts and lots of research before you set foot in a showroom and know a good deal when you see it.

PS Last two cars bought in thast 14 months both Skodas, a Superb estate for me and a Fabia for my daughter.  I wouldn't have contemplated the Superb before I was pushed to consider an Octavia (I preferred the bigger Superb)

DrEskimo

Bettiboppa said:

My price range is up to around 15k preferably on a PCP. 

Why would you prefer to use PCP?? Surely you would prefer to not use any finance to save on interest costs? Used PCP will not only have the highest levels of interest costs due to deferring the final payment, but also typically come with high APRs too. It will be one of the most expensive ways to finance the car.

To me that's like saying you want to buy a new £1k TV preferably with a payday loan....

Buy something cheaper with whatever money you have saved, or wait till you have saved more before you buy. If you still want to use finance and can't wait, then use the smallest and cheapest forms you possibly can (e.g. 0% credit cards or low interest personal loans).

MX5huggy

What are the barriers real or imagined to choosing an electric car? 

DrEskimo

MX5huggy said:

What are the barriers real or imagined to choosing an electric car? 

The 200mile weekend trip to the caravan is an obvious one. Very few used EV's in that price range will do that journey without a need to stop for charging, and unlikely to have particularly fast charging times. 

I know my EV would manage about 120miles in the summer on motorways, and charging is capped at 22kWh (41kWh Zoe). Having to stop for a good 45mins+ over a 200mile journey would be quite boring for most I suspect. Not to mention having to rely on the often unreliable and patchy non-Tesla EV charging network....

If the OP could use DH's car for those journey's it would help, as the 36mile daily journey with provision to charge at home would be ideal. They would also love the instant torque and zero need for gears. Makes town driving and going uphill so effortless!

Kattekwaad

DrEskimo said:

Bettiboppa said:

My price range is up to around 15k preferably on a PCP. 

Why would you prefer to use PCP?? 

OP I would suggest paying as much as you can in cash and then a small loan if needed.  You will be earning virtually nothing on savings but paying a fair bit on interest charges on a PCP deal.  Perhaps look for an ex PCP or Lease car?  I personally would try and wait until later in the year and see where prices are going.  I will reiterate: get to know the market now and track it.

WeeBee

DrEskimo said:

Bettiboppa said:

My price range is up to around 15k preferably on a PCP. 

Why would you prefer to use PCP?? Surely you would prefer to not use any finance to save on interest costs? Used PCP will not only have the highest levels of interest costs due to deferring the final payment, but also typically come with high APRs too. It will be one of the most expensive ways to finance the car.

To me that's like saying you want to buy a new £1k TV preferably with a payday loan....

Buy something cheaper with whatever money you have saved, or wait till you have saved more before you buy. If you still want to use finance and can't wait, then use the smallest and cheapest forms you possibly can (e.g. 0% credit cards or low interest personal loans).

Thats not strictly true. PCP does not attract "the highest levels of interest costs". There are many low cost APR deals on new cars at 4% or lower with PCP deals.  In fact 0% was available in some cases also.  

DrEskimo

WeeBee said:

DrEskimo said:

Bettiboppa said:

My price range is up to around 15k preferably on a PCP. 

Why would you prefer to use PCP?? Surely you would prefer to not use any finance to save on interest costs? Used PCP will not only have the highest levels of interest costs due to deferring the final payment, but also typically come with high APRs too. It will be one of the most expensive ways to finance the car.

To me that's like saying you want to buy a new £1k TV preferably with a payday loan....

Buy something cheaper with whatever money you have saved, or wait till you have saved more before you buy. If you still want to use finance and can't wait, then use the smallest and cheapest forms you possibly can (e.g. 0% credit cards or low interest personal loans).

Thats not strictly true. PCP does not attract "the highest levels of interest costs". There are many low cost APR deals on new cars at 4% or lower with PCP deals.  In fact 0% was available in some cases also.  

The comment was specific to used PCP, but even a PCP on 4% would incur more interest charges than a personal loan at the same rate. This is due to the deferred payment.

Yes 0% or very low interest (<3%) PCP would be the exception, but again, my comment was specifically in reference to used PCP, not new.

WaywardDriver

It's confusing comparing different models from different makes. Personally I'd suggest start with 1 make with a good range, such as Skoda, then work your way from smallest (Citigo) to largest (Superb), hatchback/saloon/SUV, and decide which best meets your needs. Then branch out to equivalents from other makes e.g. Fabia v Citroen equivalent.