Buying advice - c. 20k budget

dap123

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice as unfortunately I don't know as much about cars as I should.

I'd like to replace my car in the new year as it's coming on 10 years old but still has a bit of value (I hope!). I don't drive that much from day to day as I'm lucky enough to live close to where I work so I can cycle or walk. I'm also reasonably central in Dublin so usually cycle or take public transport for trips to town or meeting friends. I need a car mainly for trips down the country as my partner's not from Dublin and I have to visit sites for work a couple of times a month. We're also looking at starting a family next year so just having the bike probably won't cut it around Dublin anymore . We do probably 5-10k km a year max.

I have a 2010 polo that's in good condition, has just over 100k km on clock and has 2 years on its NCT so I'd be able to trade that in.

I'd like to buy a car that I could conceivably get 10 years out of and could manage a kid or two if that came to pass. I wouldn't be bothered about buying new and was looking at maybe a used Toyota CHR or somesuch. I'm not concerned about getting something flash but would like something halfway respectable for showing up at work sites etc.

A couple of questions for the wise heads on here:

1: What's the best way to dispose of the Polo? e.g. trade-in or private sale and what could I reasonably expect for it?

2: Any recommendations on a new car? I'd have a budget of about 20k depending on what I can get for the Polo. Is the CHR a good idea? Given that driving isn't that much of a priority for me I'd prefer to spend less if I could get something decent.

Many thanks in advance!

colm_mcm

It doesn’t seem like you actually need a new car. You have a low mileage car which you don’t really use too much

A CHR is quite a small car in the back. Certainly not any bigger than what you have now.

Lantus

Keep your car in good condition and thank your stars you have a location and job that requires very little of it.

PaulRyan97

If you are intent on trading in I wouldn't bother spending the full 20k. You can come up to a nice hatchback for around 15-16k. The likes of a VW Golf, Ford Focus, Opel Astra etc.

If you don't do much driving I would stick with petrol over diesel. A hybrid like a Toyota Auris might also be an option.

Here's a decent Astra I found: http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/astra/used-2018-181-opel-2018-opel-astra-sc-dublin-fpa-201910253684109

A Golf:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/used-2016-161-volkswagen-golf-1-4-mat-kildare-fpa-201909061942895

A Focus (the saloon model which would give you a bit more space if you have kids or stuff to bring to sites):
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/focus/used-2017-171-ford-focus-titanium-4dr-dublin-fpa-201911274799058

A hybrid Auris:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/auris/used-2016-162-toyota-auris-icon-tss-v-dublin-fpa-201911204570038

bazz26

Spending 20k on a car that will get such little use seems a bit mad to me. Unless your current car is costing you money to keep it on the road then I'd just tend to keep it. The newer car will just do the same thing but will depreciate alot more.

Philb76

If the polo is in good shape i wud be looking 3.5k to 4k for it private sale if starting family is the plan your definitely looking at the wrong car in the chr as others have said do you really need it now

Shefwedfan

Would you have ability to install a home charger? Do you have a driveway?

As people say keep the polo....don’t mind the 10 year thing....if not electric might be option

Casati

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Would you have ability to install a home charger? Do you have a driveway?

As people say keep the polo....don’t mind the 10 year thing....if not electric might be option

Unlike other advice given, I’d say a Polo would be hard work with a baby - you need a car with good rear seat access and a very large boot. You need either a larger family car or smaller SUV

You Polo will be a very easy sale privately but the type of car that a main dealer will only pass onto to another trader so you end up funding two sets of salesman. Clean it, take good photos and stick it on Donedeal or Carzone

Stick with petrol or hybrid, definitely don’t get a diesel with your small miles. Electric choice is v limited and comes with big premium or compromised range


Seat Areca 1.0 TSI
https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/SEAT/Ateca-1.0TSI-115HP-ECO-S-5DR/201911134313469

Subaru XV - but left field choice
https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Subaru/XV-2.0I-SE---Automatic---5-Star-Ncap-Safety---All-Whe/201911054058403



Octavia 1.0

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Skoda/Octavia-AMB-1.0TSI-115HP-4DR/201910313889801



Megane 1.2 Grand Tourer

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Renault/Megane-SPORT-TOURER-ICONIC-TCE/201911064087453


Qashqai
https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Nissan/Qashqai---LOW-MILEAGE---1.2-SV-18-4DR-SUV----REVERSING-CAM/201912034995761

Wildly Boaring

As above I'd not fancy a polo with small kids.
But also as above I'd not change the polo just for the sake of it.

Stick with the polo until the baby is actually coming. These things don't necessarily follow the plan.

Then I'd go for a petrol crossover.
The height is handy for getting babys and buggies in and out.
Be warned the boot and backseat no bigger than their equivalent car

Sell the Polo privately.
Should fly out the gate if priced right.
1.0 turbo petrol Ateca or Karoq be my choice.
Wife has the ateca.

coolbeans

The CHR is a black hole in the back, really dark and oppressive. Can't imagine kids being happy there.
Like others have suggested though, I'd save myself at least ten k and buy a decent used petrol hatch or estate.