Suggestions for a new family car

twoeyes

Hey Folks,

We are planning to buy our first car and are thinking to buy a new one because of extra safety features they advertise and easy finance options. We primarily will be driving in the city and are considering only automatic options.

So far we have shortlisted 1L Octavia petrol and Corolla saloon and are inclined towards octavia. 1L is bit of a compromise but is all we can stretch up to, we believe this should be sufficient for a small family.

I am wondering if I can get some feedback on these two or the other cars that we should consider as well.

Thanks

AMKC

Maybe the Seat Leon might be worth a look too.
You could also think of buying f nearly new so not brand new but maybe a year old. There is a lot of nearly new cars with not much mileage on them because of Covid.
There is nothing wrong with the 1litre in the Octavia as long as its maintained right and serviced right you should not have any problems with it. There is a new Octavia out now thats why there should be good deals on nearly new Octavias.

bazz26

The Octavia is a hatchback so will have a more practical space especially in the boot if you need it. Corolla saloon is a bit less practical and is a hybrid. Octavia is a newly launched model whereas the Corolla has been around for about 2 years now. You cannot really go wrong with either to be honest.

twoeyes

Thanks folks I will check Leon too.
I could not find significant price drop for nearly new models and I believe finance will be costlier for used cars, it is 2.9% APR for new octavia. But I understand I will get more engine and car options for used cars.

jimbobmalones

hi there

Zucar are selling nearly new leon estates for about 19k - check out their website. I have one and they are a good family car with a great boot. The only thing I will say is that they do not hold their value however if you are buying that cheap (19k for nearly new) then that isn't as big an issue.

octavias are slightly bigger and they hold their value well however I have not seen any decent deals on nearly new - I think the prices are ridiculous (for the runout models) considering there is a new model out but thats me.

I think a corolla hybrid estate would be a very solid buy as they are very economical, are a new model and they will also hold value well particularly as government try to force people off the road and start targeting diesel and even basic petrol models with intent.

To summarise

Nearly new (Seat Leon ST)
New (Corolla estate 1.8 hybrid)

Best of luck


J

benji79

I saw those Seat Leons on the Zu Car website, pretty decent value there

twoeyes

Thanks, Zu cars does has some good value Leons but they are all manual. Considering corolla estate as well.

Lantus

New cars have incremental safety improvements. I doubt it's much better than my 2017 octavia.

Finance is easy though. Octavia is enormous.

Zurbaran

How long do you plan to keep it for? If it’s a long time the Corolla will be the better buy. I’d imagine they will hold a stronger value when compared, more reliable and a bit cheaper to service.

Lantus

Zurbaran wrote: »

How long do you plan to keep it for? If it’s a long time the Corolla will be the better buy. I’d imagine they will hold a stronger value when compared, more reliable and a bit cheaper to service.

Octavia has historically biggest residual in ireland. My service costs are 150 a year. After 100k just 2 new front tyres. I'd say both similar though

twoeyes

Lantus wrote: »

New cars have incremental safety improvements. I doubt it's much better than my 2017 octavia.

Finance is easy though. Octavia is enormous.

Missus want park assist and I think blind spot assist and forward collision assist will be worth the cost. It is hard to find such options in used cars.
We are inclining towards new octavia as we like the interiors but at a same time are not sure about the current waiting times as dealer does not have them ready. And they are not very responsive to email queries as well.

@Zurbaran We do not have plans to change any time soon

Zurbaran

Lantus wrote: »

Octavia has historically biggest residual in ireland. My service costs are 150 a year. After 100k just 2 new front tyres. I'd say both similar though

As far as I know these would be similar spec comparatively and sold for similar prices from new. I can’t see a way the 1l turbo is going to hold its value over time against a hybrid that will do around 60mpg.

Octavia Style DSG 2019
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/27221638

Corolla Luna Sport saloon 2019
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/27089521

You have to take into account that the octavia has a newer version out but still it seems significant to me.