Upgrading 2 cars in household - suggestions?

CBear1993

Hi all, not a regular here. Have did a fair bit of research in the various dealerships across the country, this is my proposition:

• Girlfriend and I living in Dub15, both mid 20s, no kids (prob not for another couple years). She drives a 2009 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Petrol. I drive a 2011 VW Golf MK6, 150,000 miles. Diesel
• Our cars are tipping away grand, but conscious of them both at the 10 years + stage now. What are the best deals in dealerships you've come across recently? She only does 30 min trips to work each day, 30km, same with myself. I then do long journeys of 400km return once or twice a month.
• I'm originally from Ulster, there doesn't seem to be any value in cars down here. Would have previously gotten all of my cars in England and drove them home. Obv I'm snookered here with VRT. In 2016 I got a brand new MK7 Golf 180BHP 2litre diesel, £250 sterling per month over 2 years, then I handed it back but had option to buy, didn't take new car. I thought that was serious value but again that's NI. they took care of all tyres/services etc.
• Not too fussy as long as reliable brand, have always been a VW/Audi fan, but the new ford focus is a nice car. I'm not up to date on all the different finance plans, PCP it's all chinese to me at the moment until i read into it more
• Plan would be to sell our own two cars privately (obv get more than dealership trade in?) then use this as deposits towards the new cars. I am quite comfortable but don't really care much for cars anymore, used to spend a fortune on them. Wouldn't be prepared to pay a huge sum every month just to drive a new piece of metal on wheels around. No E charging points at our property so that's not an option.
• Main reason is my diesel golf only does short trips and has clogged up internally now and again since moving to city life 2 years ago, have been told to get a petrol.

Thanks in advance. Would even forget about two cars - and just listen to recommendations for one. She can make do with hers for another while

We own our current apartment but are saving towards a mortgage for a new home in next 2 years or so, hence not wanting to spend a wallop each month on cars. Would a CU/Bank loan be an option here? Have a bit in savings but that's for mortgage

liamog

If you are saving for a house, would it not be better to keep the Fiesta, and replace the Golf with another cheapish car that you can keep for a couple of years?

Millem

Unless your cars are falling apart I would just keep the cars you have and save for your mortgage.

When you buy your house then change your cars if needs be.

Idbatterim

Its madness changing, keep what you have... they are low tax new enough cars ... you'll he surprised when you go to sell how little you will actually get , then you get done on the few year newer one...

I missed the last part about saving for the mortgage, there is nearly no bigger waste of money than cars , 99.9999 % on the road here are bog standard unimpressive cars ...

The mortgage should be your absolute priority over a car at this stage...

pah

We spent 30k on 2 cars 3 years ago, imported both. Similar to yourselves but had kids. I wish we hadn't. Worries about 10 year old cars were just me trying to justify the change for the sake of change. The previous car loans weren't long paid off and we had the itch. Hoping to do an attic conversion but need to wait now until loans are paid off, another 2 years maybe.

My advice, wait.

Idbatterim

Yeah as per above.... a few of Mates just bought houses, get what is acknowledged as number one waste of money as expenditure... cars... now they like their cars its mostly BMW's but they have gorgeous cars , this itch to change is bull**** . If you havent at least got a mortgage, set that as number one priority, many mates doing their nut in over housing situation come mid thirties you arent there yet op , but believe me, sort that first as absolute priority over another tool to get you from a to b, wih a piece of plastic on a piece of plastic telling you the year the car was registered in ...