New car time - new/used/PCP/loan?

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

There are some manufacturers out there with 7 year warranties. So if you pick up a 3y/o car you've still got 4 years warranty left.

My wife is brill at picking up well worn (read: knackered) cars and driving them for a couple of years before getting another. We are talking cars here that sell for £500 with a dodgy MOT. Given a new car loses more than that in the first year, she's saving money. Still get ripped off on the insurance though.

Better off getting a low depreciation car and selling it at a certain point or buying it at that same point and running it to the ground. No point driving a banger around.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I appreciate the Golf is best in class and has the highest residuals. But I think it's outside our budget. I've taken on board the feedback on this thread and weighed up the various models in the class and have narrowed it down to the Focus or the i30.

There really doesn't seem to be much between them. The Ford is meant to be more fun to drive but that's not a concern. I think the i30 looks ok. It comes with a lot more kit as standard so we can happily get the entry model whereas with the Ford you're looking at getting at least a Zetec to get a half decent spec. But most importantly, the cheapest nearly new Focus is nearly £2k more.

Yes, the Focus will get more money when I sell it on but I'd rather save money now than later. If business continues to be good, I'm not going to care in a few years about the lower residual value on the i30. I DO care about saving right now though.

TBH I'm pretty fed up with researching car after car after car. Buying a new car should be enjoyable but it's been nothing but a source of anxiety for me. Unless I really hate the i30 when I see it and drive it, I'm pretty sure that's what we are going to get.

[SueEllen]

It's a source of anxiety because you are indecisive.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I appreciate the Golf is best in class and has the highest residuals. But I think it's outside our budget. I've taken on board the feedback on this thread and weighed up the various models in the class and have narrowed it down to the Focus or the i30.

There really doesn't seem to be much between them. The Ford is meant to be more fun to drive but that's not a concern. I think the i30 looks ok. It comes with a lot more kit as standard so we can happily get the entry model whereas with the Ford you're looking at getting at least a Zetec to get a half decent spec. But most importantly, the cheapest nearly new Focus is nearly £2k more.

Yes, the Focus will get more money when I sell it on but I'd rather save money now than later. If business continues to be good, I'm not going to care in a few years about the lower residual value on the i30. I DO care about saving right now though.

TBH I'm pretty fed up with researching car after car after car. Buying a new car should be enjoyable but it's been nothing but a source of anxiety for me. Unless I really hate the i30 when I see it and drive it, I'm pretty sure that's what we are going to get.

How on earth is it outside your budget? I bought one from a vw dealer for 6700 with 1 year warranty and 50,000 miles. I'd rather have that than a Fiesta with 10,000 miles.

[Fred Bloggs]

You're on the right track with an i30, good, reliable motor.

[BoredBloke]

Someone who works at a ford dealership told me that they haven't prepared a mondeo in ages all they are doing now are foci.

There still seems to be a lot of them on the road and generally they get good reviews. My wife has a 2008 focus 1.8 petrol and its ok, but I prefer my older mondeo on long runs - its cheaper in terms of fuel and better to drive on the motorway

[doodab]

Buying a new car should be enjoyable but it's been nothing but a source of anxiety for me.

That's because you're faced with a choice of several slightly naff cars and you know whatever happens you'll end up with a naff car.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

It's a source of anxiety because you are indecisive.

Well you've got that right.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

That's because you're faced with a choice of several slightly naff cars and you know whatever happens you'll end up with a naff car.

If you say so.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

How on earth is it outside your budget? I bought one from a vw dealer for 6700 with 1 year warranty and 50,000 miles. I'd rather have that than a Fiesta with 10,000 miles.

I don't want a car with that mileage. It's that simple.