£10k buy vs ~£300 pcm lease

[Gavster]

I keep on kicking around new car ideas for the new year, it needs to be fairly utilitarian and un-evo, so the F40 is obviously the perfect choice.

However, I want to prepare a second option in case F40s are scant and I am wondering what people would do.

Priorities are (in order of importance):

1. Economical
2. Reliable
3. Decent on the motorway
4. Carplay, preferably leather seats and a few basic toys such as cruise control etc, it needs to be comfortable and feel like a reasonable place to spend some time.
5. Big enough to get a large fridge in the boot with the seats folded.

I'm not concerend about outright power and will never have it fully loaded so don't need to worry what the performance will be like with four adults in the car. It would be nice if it didn't handle like a sack of porridge.

Current thinking for the £10k purchase would be Focus ST or I drove a SEAT Ateca and quite liked it, especially the handling, although the MPG would suffer for sure.

Next stop I'll look at leases, although I suspect for £300pcm the choices will be far more basic.

[DeskJockey]

I've got a soft spot for the Mazda6 estate.

Something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410034788401

They're all very well equipped, and to my eyes it is a good looking car that meet your requirements.

[duncs500]

If there's no F40s you like, I hear the diesel Golfs are really good at this time of year.

[DeskJockey]

If there's no F40s you like, I hear the diesel Golfs are really good at this time of year.

He lives in the ULEZ area, F40s only!

[Carlos]

My sister just leased a Skoda Octavia for 24x £206 per month no leather but decent spec SE Technology.

End of quarter December will get you something decent value for sub £300.

[Beany]

I'd suggest an M135i, but I think the requirement to get a big fridge in there might scupper you on that one.

You also typically need to spend a little more than £10k to get one with iDrive new enough to support Carplay with an update, although you can just swap the display out for one with an Android device in it that'll do that for you....

[Shlergen]

15-16 plate Superb 2.0 SE L Exec. £30 road tax, 190bhp, car play, adaptive cruise..

I keep toying with changing mine but it's great for motorway slogs, taxiing kids and carrying a decent amount of crap.

[Matty]

15-16 plate Superb 2.0 SE L Exec. £30 road tax, 190bhp, car play, adaptive cruise..

I keep toying with changing mine but it's great for motorway slogs, taxiing kids and carrying a decent amount of crap.

That, or an Octavia would be where my money would go for those requirements TBH.

[Gavster]

I've got a soft spot for the Mazda6 estate.

Something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410034788401

They're all very well equipped, and to my eyes it is a good looking car that meet your requirements.

Thanks for the suggestion, my immediate reaction was nahhh, I had very below average preconceptions. But I’ve just looked at every post-2016 example under £10k on AT and they’re really nice, the interior and equipment spec is amazing for the age. I’m gonna seek one out for a real life viewing. Nice one!

[IanF]

Yeah, I’d recommend an Octavia vRS also, or any other Skoda estate. Seat Cupra estate? Or maybe sir would prefer an ID7, A4 Avant or Ford Explorer - all less than £350pcm (lease plus deposit)

[JonMad]

That raises a question, are you including your deposit in your £300/month? So really 9+35 @ £245/month, or something like that?

[jamcg]

Cupra ateca deals seem decent for what you get, it’s a good size car, just pay attention to the engines, they do the 1.5 and the 2.0 tsi engines in a few different outputs

[Sundayjumper]

1. Economical
2. Reliable
3. Decent on the motorway
4. Carplay, preferably leather seats and a few basic toys such as cruise control etc, it needs to be comfortable and feel like a reasonable place to spend some time.
5. Big enough to get a large fridge in the boot with the seats folded.

Economical & reliable are overrated. I recommend a Discovery 4

Not on your list but I assume should be - insurable & ULEZ compliant.

Out of all the suggestions I’d go with one of the VAG options. Leaning towards the Seat for no real reason.

[Sundayjumper]

Oh, hold on.

Yeah, I’d recommend an Octavia vRS also, or any other Skoda estate. Seat Cupra estate? Or maybe sir would prefer an ID7, A4 Avant or Ford Explorer - all less than £350pcm (lease plus deposit)

ID7 looks very nice - but is one of the criteria “not electric” due to charging hassles ?

[Gavster]

That raises a question, are you including your deposit in your £300/month? So really 9+35 @ £245/month, or something like that?

Good point, the whole thing would ideally be 3+35 @£300 max per month.

I do still slightly crap myself at the idea of owning a lease deal for a few years in central-ish London. My cars inevitably end up with parking bumper scuffs from parallel parking.

[simon_g]

New Prius PHEV is under £250pm on 3+36, 8k miles. Meant to be good to drive and not slow any more. https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/t ... 2aa/config

Else for a buy the Mazda6 is great. A colleague had an older one and recently got one of the newer shape, they're great cars and really decent value now.

[mik]

Economical & reliable are overrated. I recommend a Discovery 4

You appear to be enjoying this purchase, despite the work it needed. A keeper?

[GG.]

Isn't the correct answer here a BMW 5 / Audi A6 or Mercedes E Estate?

[Gavster]

Isn't the correct answer here a BMW 5 / Audi A6 or Mercedes E Estate?

I am now allergic to modern-ish BMWs after the last two I owned were the most comprehensively unreliable cars I have ever owned. Utterly horrendous. One of them racked up 40 hours of workshop time at a BMW main dealer for a single problem - thank god for the warranty.

[Gavster]

New Prius PHEV is under £250pm on 3+36, 8k miles. Meant to be good to drive and not slow any more. https://www.leaseloco.com/car-leasing/t ... 2aa/config

Else for a buy the Mazda6 is great. A colleague had an older one and recently got one of the newer shape, they're great cars and really decent value now.

Ooohhhh thanks Simon, I always loved the idea of a Prius and that seems like a great deal. Not sure about the fridge in the back, but otherwise that would be an awesome choice.