New Car … where to start?

TimTom

TimTom

TimTom

Associate
Joined
18 Mar 2016
Posts
176
Alright, I confess. I don’t really have much interest in cars and my knowledge is limited, to put it mildly. My current car - a Renault, is 13 years old, has done well over 100,000 miles and is, unfortunately, on its last legs. So I need to buy a new one. But I haven’t a clue where to start. I do fancy splashing out on a new one, or maybe a year or two old.

So, I need something reliable (obviously), but I do several 120-odd mile trips each month, a good percentage of that is motorway driving, so I need something comfortable. It’s not a family car and is mostly just for me, but I do want four doors. I’m a mature driver (!), so I don’t want anything in the boy racer category, and although I’m a bit of a gadget lover, I don’t want anything too weird and wacky that will distract me too much.

A couple of friends have said I should go for a Mercedes A-class. That seems a little bit above my budget, but if it fits my requirements, I suppose I wouldn’t dismiss it.

Is that a good starting point in my search, does anyone reckon? Or is there a more obvious make/model to look at first?
 
Do you actually have an overall budget? For good ride quality you want a long wheelbase (something an A-Class doesn't have) so I'd be considering something a bit bigger. A smallish petrol engine will still give good MPG on a run as well so I don't see a need for diesel which will, possibly, be priced off the roads in the next few years in RFL hikes.

Are you talking about actually buying a Brand new car, from a dealer?
 
Last edited:
MissChief said:
Do you actually have an overall budget? For good ride quality you want a long wheelbase (something an A-Class doesn't have) so I'd be considering something a bit bigger. A smallish petrol engine will still give good MPG on a run as well so I don't see a need for diesel which will, possibly, be priced off the roads in the next few years in RFL hikes.

Are you talking about actually buying a Brand new car, from a dealer?
Click to expand...
Well yes, possibly. Although maybe a year or two old might be a better bet.

Budget-wise, I’m fairly flexible. But I was thinking around £25,000 or whereabouts. Or is that unrealistic?
 
With what you describe pretty much any car on the market will do.

To me sounds like reliability will likely be top of your list, so see what manufacturers are on the most reliable lists (spoiler it's not the Germans amazingly)

I also presume you want something economical, diesels aren't the way forward and Thier repair bills are astronomical and currently there is a lot of diesels that do not meet ulez emissions (ulez is not just London and is likely to be rolled out to an even wider net in the future so it's worthwhile thinking about). Also hybrids aren't as economical as popular opinion spouts it is, often the engines are small and have increased weight to carry with batteries and electric motors, so it kind of negates itself.

Stay away from the 1ltr 3 cylinder engines from ford and PSA group (now stelantis)

Not sure what your budget is, but I'd be recommending you a Volvo looks smart, reasonably reliable and good all rounder.

A ford focus (not the 1ltr eco boost) would also be good.

Kia/Hyundai might be reasonable shouts to, but in terms of quality and road noise personally I wouldn't, the cars won't last the 13 years your previous car did, the engine most likely will but the body and trims when looking closely are surpassed by the likes of vauxhall/ ford.

a golf would be a reasonable option also, though be wary of the 1.4tsi engine.

The build quality of German vehicles is very good and they are very good in terms of road noise and interior rattles (engine reliability mind leaves a lot to be desired).

Finally, look at the offerings from MG, you might be pleasantly surprised.
 
Last edited:
TimTom said:
Well yes, possibly. Although maybe a year or two old might be a better bet.

Budget-wise, I’m fairly flexible. But I was thinking around £25,000 or whereabouts. Or is that unrealistic?
Click to expand...
That's a sizeable budget! Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic would be good options.
 
sx_turbo said:
With what you describe pretty much any car on the market will do.

To me sounds like reliability will likely be top of your list, so see what manufacturers are on the most reliable lists (spoiler it's not the Germans amazingly)

I also presume you want something economical, diesels aren't the way forward and Thier repair bills are astronomical and currently there is a lot of diesels that do not meet ulez emissions (ulez is not just London and is likely to be rolled out to an even wider net in the future so it's worthwhile thinking about). Also hybrids aren't as economical as popular opinion spouts it is, often the engines are small and have increased weight to carry with batteries and electric motors, so it kind of negates itself.

Stay away from the 1ltr 3 cylinder engines from ford and PSA group (now stelantis)

Not sure what your budget is, but I'd be recommending you a Volvo looks smart, reliable and good all rounder.

A ford focus (not the 1ltr eco boost) would also be good.

Kia/Hyundai might be reasonable shouts to, but in terms of quality and road noise personally I wouldn't, the cars won't last the 13 years your previous car did, the engine most likely will but the body and trims when looking closely are surpassed by the likes of vauxhall/ ford.

a golf would be a reasonable option also, though be wary of the 1.4tsi engine.

The build quality of German vehicles is very good and they are very good in terms of road noise and interior rattles (engine reliability mind leaves a lot to be desired).

Finally, look at the offerings from MG, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Click to expand...
That’s brilliant. Thanks for taking the time to respond so fully.
 
Other options include


Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Or even get a brand new Mazda 3

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

A 2 year old Mazda 6 is also worth looking at

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk


Unfortunately my suggestion of Volvo doesn't appear to bring up many results within the requested criteria.
 
Last edited:
Renault Clio e tech is a good option as a smaller hatchback. Has a good set of features, warranty, performance and economy.
 
MissChief said:
Also consider a nearly new Kia as it will still have loads of the 7 year warranty available. Toyota's also have a 5 year warranty so a Corolla might be a wise choice too.
Kia: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304206484106 low miles, much newer than I was expecting too.
Click to expand...

I've been really disappointed with Kia, I've recently purchased a Kia ceed and have had issues with it and the dealer, the road noise and interior rattles is horrendous and our Audi although 10 years older is nicer.

With the issues and the car going back I've had courtesy cars from them and had a brand new Kia ceed, and our 18 year old Audi was still nicer, granted it had more room than our Audi, but the road noise was worse, the interior quality was not as good could really notice some of the corners cut to keep the price low, the steering and feedback through the wheel was really vague and off putting with how light it felt.

I've not driven the rest of the range so couldn't comment on others, but with the disappointment of the brand new ceed, it's really put me off the others.

This is just my opinion and so I would advocate that the op test drives as many cars as he can before making up his mind
 
Yeah, that would be my advice when you basically have no starting point yet. Go to a huge multi-brand nearly-new dealer, and have a wander around their site seeing what appeals to you to get towards some kind of short list. Fords of Winsford would be the obvious one in my area.
 
TimTom said:
Alright, I confess. I don’t really have much interest in cars and my knowledge is limited
Click to expand...
Get out.

If it's just you, and you need something small, reliable and reasonably comfortable I'd look at Toyota; either a Yaris or Corolla. My sister has a Yaris and my mum has a Corolla - neither has put a foot wrong in 4 years over ~50k miles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom