Thinking of Changing Car

[poosemon]

Good evening,

We currently have a 14 Plate Golf 1.4 TSI. In the past we have usually bought cars a couple of years old so they have 1 year or warranty left to iron out any major issues that might be present and then take it from there.

Have been very happy with the above car, wouldn't really fault it and has been reliable, I would prefer a bit more grunt and engagement from the car but my wife spends most of the time in it so it is suffice.

So looking around the 13k mark for a replacement car, and toying up either replacing with the same again but a 16 plate, or looking at a BMW 1 Series 118i which seems to be fairly similar.

Not really had much experience with the BMW and sitting in it was a very nice place to be, yet to take one for a test drive. Both the BMW and the Golf are very similar on prices with the BMW edging it with performance. Just wondering if people have had much experience with the BMW 118, or do others have suggestions if we are barking up the wrong tree? BMW does seem a tiny bit smaller then the Golf, but with just the 1 child think it would cover most things we have asked of the Golf, and we have roof bars if a roofbox is needed so not so fussed on that side.

Have thought about the other VAG cars, however the SEAT/Skoda do tend to suffer a bit more from depreciation, and they suffer a bit in terms of interior quality.

Or, should i be looking elsewhere? Don't really want a diesel as at 10-12k dont really do the mileage to justify extra costs/servicing, and the 1.4 and 1.5 engines in VW/BMW seem to offer good economy regardless (our golf managed around 47mpg on round trip to le mans fully laden driving at french motorways speeds so pretty happy with that level)

 

[poosemon]

The VW extended warranty is cheap and comprehensive. Why not just do this for a few years?

Cheers for that, might take a look into that just for peace of mind. In the past have tended to upgrade so the gap between the value of the car and a newer car isn't so big.

Isnt really a necessity to "upgrade" more a case of newer and less chance of things going wrong. Just fancied the BMW option for a change if anything however have been happy with the VW. Sort of looked a a Ford but the depreciation is faster then the loan for the same circumstances whilst the VW (and I assume BMW) tend to depreciate slower then the loan payments. And sitting in one just didn't have the finish of the Golf.

There's also the chance we may completly change car choice and get my wife a much smaller car (~6-7k) but newer still and then I get an estate as a hack to put miles on and not worry (~6-7k again but 3 series tourer or similar) however that can be a bit of a lottery and if you get a bad one could end up costing a lot of money, however if OK shouldn't present many issues. Just evaluating all the options!

Probably just end up sitting pretty but thought at least worth a look

 

[poosemon]

If it's solid warranty you want. Toyota will let you extend from the standard 5 years all the way up to 12 years/100k miles for about £250 a year. They'll even throw in some free MOTs.

Not as nice of an interior, but they don't break and tbh I find the ride more comfortable than in VAG cars.

Was on the list if we went down the small car route, as my wife quite likes the Yaris.

 

[poosemon]

Keep your current car. If it’s been trouble free so far and you’ve been maintaining it then it shouldn’t throw catastrophic (unexpected) bills at you. If you want peace of mind then extend the warranty.

As cars get older they will require some work, but this can usually be planned for. Things like suspension occasionally breaks (springs) but usually just wears until your MOT tester decides it should fail.

A BMW 118 is so similar to a Golf 1.4 that I can’t see the point in jumping ship.

Your advice seems too sensible Difficult to argue against! Probably best to stay put until have enough to "upgrade" rather then just replace.