Where to even start?

ncfcfan

Hi all

I'm looking for some advice as to where to start with the car buying process. I truly don't know what is best.

2 years ago, we sold both our Audi's on Finance in favour of something more affordable, because we had a new addition to our family and maternity leave to contend with. We purchased a KIA sportage outright - a family sized car, no outgoing payments etc. It's been one of our best decisions. One car was all we needed.

My wife is heading back to work in July. She does some traveling, as do I for work. Not much, but it's enough for us to warrant looking at a 2nd car. When one of us is away with with work, we would need access to a car. So it needs to be big enough for a pram in the back, a car seat etc. But also potentially another little one, hopefully our first will be out of his pram by then!

We don't want another SUV type, as it won't fit on the drive. But it still needs to be suitable for a small family.

I have no idea where to start. We don't have any cash upfront (only a small amount for a deposit). I have no idea what car. We have a budget of approx. £200 p/month but that truly would be the limit - and as far as brand new/used? I truly have no clue.

Does anyone have a similar story? What did you do? Is it a good time to buy used? I know for some time it wasn't because of the wait times for new cars. Are there any deals on which seem really great ?

Please help. I'm also feeling like I don't have the headspace to think about this at the moment, but I know it needs to happen.

Arunmor

In your position, you want to ask around friends and relatives to see if anyone has a trusted older jalopy.  I would want to avoid trailing round dealers if possible.  Put the word out and see how you get on.

Goudy

Can you not just use the Sportage as the family wagon and buy a small hatchback for the second car.

You'll get a child seat in most hatchbacks if needed and a pushchair in the boot.
For anything else, just use the Sportage.

Maybe look at something like a Dacia Sandero.
They are no longer old Renault bits warmed up, the new Sandero is built on the same platform as the latest Clio.

They also now come with the same safety kit these days, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Departure and all that, plus Isofix for the kiddie seat.

You should be able to buy new on your budget.
Roll in a service plan and it's cheap motoring for a good few years and as a general rule, Dacia's tend to depreciate slower than most makes and models. 

I wouldn't go too old a car with a family in it.
Modern cars come with much better safety kit.

Nobbie1967

You have a family car already, your second car doesn’t need to take a pram etc, just you or your partner on work trips unless work specifies a particular age of vehicle?

Bigphil1474

Agree with above. The traveller needs a car, so find something that suits the amount/type of travelling you'll be doing, or look at alternatives (public transport, car share etc.).

If it's not 1000's of miles a month, a small hatchback should suffice. I used to have a fiesta (09 Plate) and it would happily tootle me up and down the motorways on 200 mile trips. Currently have a crossover type and that's fine for that as well. Personally, I've never bought new or on PCP type deals. Cheapest for me has always been personal loan and buying a second hand car. 

mgfvvc

You could get a 4 year old main dealer Honda Jazz. It would be economical, reliable and have modern safety features. It will comfortably seat two 6 foot adults in the back. I'm not specifically recommending this car, it's just an example. 

You could get it on PCP with a deposit of £1700, monthly payment £200, optional final payment £7500 after 2 years.

https://www.marshall.co.uk/honda/used-cars/17755877-honda-jazz-honda-hatchback-1.5-i-mmd-hybrid-se-5dr-e-cvt/

sheramber

My son  had a Honda Jazz for all the years my grandson needed a pram/buggy. 

There was plenty room in the boot.