8k budget good res value and decent mpg - Advice

Daff_Duck · 15 May 2011 at 11:38

I currently have an Audi A4 Avant 52 and whilst this has been a fantastic car for me its coming to the point were there are a few things that need sorting and with 154k on the clock I am looking to get any residual value the car may still have.

As such I am looking for advice in respect of a replacement car, my main criteria are I do a lot of motorway miles so decent mpg is a must (50+) and the other main thing would be a decent residual value say after 4yrs. I no longer need a large family size car so medium is best for me.

I have been looking at the Audi A3 but have also noticed that there are a lot of people championing the Mondeo, So question is could someone provide alternatives to look at?

Thanks

Minstadave · 15 May 2011 at 12:06

A3 or golf tdi would be worth a look.

Maz · 15 May 2011 at 13:05

Golf GT TDI.

Tute · 15 May 2011 at 13:13

Basically you just need to get yourself out and start driving some diesel hatchbacks. Things like:

Ford Focus
Ford Mondeo
VW Golf
Seat Leon
Skoda Octavia
Audi A3
Honda Civic

You could also consider some of the petrol variants of the cars listed above, but be careful to research that you're actually going to get near the 50MPG you want. For example, the Golf 1.4TSI might be worth a shout.

bandit · 15 May 2011 at 16:58

for decent residuals you will need to stick to the more premium brands, aka Audi/VW

if your really looking for a bargain, and want to spend less in the first place (which is what i would do) i would look at the Seats and Skodas. you get pretty much the same stuff, but cheaper in the first place. may not be worth as much at the end, but i would rather have £3K in my pocket then in the car.

MikeHiow · 15 May 2011 at 17:02

Need a budget... any other requisites on age, mileage etc?

[TW]Fox · 15 May 2011 at 17:11

The better residuals a car has the older or higher mileage a car will have, so bear that in mind.

If you buy something with terrible residuals for 8k you will end up in something quite new...

rG-tom · 15 May 2011 at 17:22

also how many miles is a lot? This is a big killer on residuals, if you're putting 40-50k a year on any car it's not going to be worth much at all after 4 years

Morba · 15 May 2011 at 18:56

£8k yet looking to put a lot of miles on it in 4 years and expecting good resale?! Is there such a vehicle?

Might be worth looking at a newer car with silly miles on it already as that way it will be not so old come resale and the mileage won't make much difference compared to your purchase price.

Daff_Duck · 16 May 2011 at 10:22

Thanks for the advice, As some have pointed out its a catch 22 in that you can get a say cheaper? car say Seat/Skoda which is pretty much the same as the Audi VW and or Pay the extra for the premium.

I think I will have to apply the common sense route and go for practicality rather than what my heart wants. Oh when it comes to mileage its approx 20k a year (high by my standards but in the scheme of things pretty low in respect to others)

bandit · 16 May 2011 at 15:08

Daff_Duck said:
Thanks for the advice, As some have pointed out its a catch 22 in that you can get a say cheaper? car say Seat/Skoda which is pretty much the same as the Audi VW and or Pay the extra for the premium.

I think I will have to apply the common sense route and go for practicality rather than what my heart wants. Oh when it comes to mileage its approx 20k a year (high by my standards but in the scheme of things pretty low in respect to others)

20K is higher then average. if your keeping the car for 2-3 years i would not bother looking at residuals and just look to get the best car i could for the money.

the premium you will pay for Audi/VW will be wiped out by the sorts of miles you'll be putting on.