What to buy?

winter2019

We’ve just had a new child (our first), so weighing up our car options.

Wife has a 2018 Qashqai which has the child’s seat in it - we intend to use this as the main “family car” due to height, boot space etc.

I have a 2015 A4 S line - which I’m debating selling and downsizing. Realistically only need one “good car”. I owe approx 9k on the Audi, which I think I could sell for 16-18k (top spec , automatic, lowish mileage).

I don’t do huge mileage , probably 15k a year and much less now probably with using the Qashqai as the family car.

Thinking of selling the Audi, clearing the loan and freeing up €150 a week in repayments then using approx 5k to buy a new car. What would people recommend? I want something reliable that would accommodate a child seat if required.

Thanks for any help.

Bigus

After coming out of the A4 a golf might be the most acceptable as a come down or maybe a later model Leon if you upped the budget.

punisher5112

You don't need a quasqai for one baby!!!

You will kick yourself going back from an A4.

winter2019

Bigus wrote: »

After coming out of the A4 a golf might be the most acceptable as a come down or maybe a later Leon up you upped the budget.

Went from a golf to the A4, so it could be an option. Would like to stay with a saloon if possible for space reasons. Would a lower down the years Octavia be a decent choice? Basically want something that’ll keep going for 3-4 years with little trouble until we reassess options

winter2019

punisher5112 wrote: »

You don't need a quasqai for one baby!!!

You will kick yourself going back from an A4.

I wouldn’t have thought so either, but it’s surprised me the amount of stuff that has to go along when going out with one or on a day trip anywhere.

punisher5112

winter2019 wrote: »

I wouldn’t have thought so either, but it’s surprised me the amount of stuff that has to go along when going out with one or on a day trip anywhere.

Wife done it all with a Yaris... No issues.

The Octavia did make it easier though as big boot but also more so for me as in was much more comfortable.

Bigus

Passats are gone cheap, just live on donedeal for a while and jump on a newly listed Passat or Octavia,Leon, older A4 etc that’s been looked after and good value , and don’t restrict your self too much , as at 5 k you’re going to have to be flexible,also sometimes there’s good value in “unsexy” estates.

Truckermal

Bad idea downsizing as your Car is worth a lot less than you think ( I just sold one last month) plus you know your Car is reliable and not damaged, you could end up buying something unreliable that needs a load of money spent and your in a worse case scenario!

RoscommonTom

quashquais are rotten yokes, feel cheap and are everywhere,

Wildly Boaring

So you want a 5k car for 15k a year?

That 15k km?

An old yaris?
Gonna seem like a tin box after the A4.

Shefwedfan

punisher5112 wrote: »

You don't need a quasqai for one baby!!!

You will kick yourself going back from an A4.

Putting a new born in and out of A4 compared to a qashqai is a nightmare, the height of the Qashqai sand any of those crossovers great

The A4 is a great car but the seats are low and you get pi**ed off very quickly constantly wrestling with car seats in them

Wildly Boaring

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Putting a new born in and out of A4 compared to a qashqai is a nightmare, the height of the Qashqai sand any of those crossovers great

The A4 is a great car but the seats are low and you get pi**ed off very quickly constantly wrestling with car seats in them

Also they already own the qashqai.
OP talking of selling 2nd car to cover loan on it and replacing with something cheap.

Shefwedfan

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Also they already own the qashqai.
OP talking of selling 2nd car to cover loan on it and replacing with something cheap.

I know, I was replying to someone else’s comment

It makes complete sense to me to swap an A4 instead of a Qashqai because of the reason listed above, a few here have questioned that

In terms of replacement well the OP choice is huge, 99% of cars will fit a child seat plus 2 adults.so instead of car I would pick fuel first and then look at cars based on the fuel. The days of buying a daysel for everything are long gone

punisher5112

I'd shudder going from an Audi to a Nissan...

colm_mcm

Did anybody read the OP

punisher5112

colm_mcm wrote: »

Did anybody read the OP

Sure did, just can't understand how you could go backwards from a decent car to something not so great...

I feel a little dead inside whenever I've had to drive a qashqai

Idbatterim

Keep the Audi! Wait till you see what you get offered for it on a trade in or private sale

Mooooo

OP from a quick look on done deal auto a4's are going from 14.5k to 18k all from dealers with warranty so private sale would likely have you at the 14k bracket if that. Buying a 5k car then to replace it you are buying rel unknown and may end up replacing repayments with repairs. I'd keep the a4 tbh unless you really can't afford the repayments