Commuting Car Suggestions

swinnie · 11 Mar 2013 at 21:19

Chaps,

I'm looking at taking a job in the Northamptonshire area, commuting from Kent on a weekly basis. I've got a 2009 1l Aygo in Blue, which just doesn't cut it on longer journeys.

I'd be interested to hear your recommendations as to what I should buy. I am considering going for a new vehicle, no more than £15,000. I expect to do around 15-18,000 miles per year.

My Toyota Dealer have phoned me this week to say a lot of their cars are on 0% finance with little or no deposit, going out at 'cost' price due to them being way off their target this quarter.

I have been very pleased with my Aygo (and the dealers' service) and would have no hesitation of buying another Toyota.

But what are your opinions? Is their better for my money?

Many Thanks

[TW]Fox · 11 Mar 2013 at 21:21

You've not told us which car it is you are considering?

swinnie · 11 Mar 2013 at 21:27

Whoops.... I've been thinking of a Yaris/Auris.

sigma · 11 Mar 2013 at 22:12

mjt · 11 Mar 2013 at 22:15

Get something bigger and nearly new like a Skoda Superb or something.

Much better for motorway cruising than an Auris.
Also buying a new Auris is a waste of money IMHO as you'll lose loads in depreciation. Let someone else take the brunt of it!

n3vrmind · 13 Mar 2013 at 08:08

Wait you actually paid full price for a new aygo? Those things are overprice crap and about the worst cars on the road.

stop buying new cars and get something 2-3 years old you will get a lot better for your money and when you sell it 2-3 years later you wont have lost so much of that money in depreciation

Even if you are a fairly new driver, if you stick to cars with a 1.6-1.8 ltr engine you wont blow too much of your budget on ridiculously high insurance. Although for the money you could definitely get more and frankly for your needs id lower your budget and say don't spent more than 8-10k, if you have more then put it in the bank.

swinnie · 13 Mar 2013 at 15:06

n3vrmind said:
Wait you actually paid full price for a new aygo? Those things are overprice crap and about the worst cars on the road.

Definitely not. The Aygo was bought last year 2nd hand. I think you're right that new Aygos for the spec are quite poor value for money these days. When they were first introduced I seem to remember them being much more competitive. But I disagree that they're the worst cars on the road. The Aygo has been a great car and is a little workhorse, and likewise has my partners (again, 2nd hand). For both cars I have had to put fuel in, check oil which hasn't needed topping up in either car, other than their routine changes.

Even if you are a fairly new driver, if you stick to cars with a 1.6-1.8 ltr engine you wont blow too much of your budget on ridiculously high insurance. Although for the money you could definitely get more and frankly for your needs id lower your budget and say don't spent more than 8-10k, if you have more then put it in the bank.

I've only been driving for a few years (I'm 20). Insurance was £750 last for the Aygo for a 15k policy, with 12k for business use and 3k for personal use. I've looked at the various comparison websites and for most cars of like you say, 1.6l I can get insurance for around £600 - £700 which I don't think is too bad, my friends are paying considerably more for older vehicles with lower mileage cover.

It seems that many dealers are offering 0% APR on new vehicles. Would you guys say swallow the percentage on the finance and go 2nd hand/nearly new? I can get around just over £4k back for my Aygo, I have got somebody interested in it already.

@mjt - The Skoda Superb certainly looks like a well spec'd vehicle.

Thanks All.