Need to buy two new cars - advice needed

Modulok · 04-11-2023 10:11am #1

I am relocating to Ireland with my family (wife and two kids, ages 10 and 9) having been abroad for 11 years. The country I live in right now has many car makes and models that are unavailable in Ireland, hence I am quite unfamiliar with the Irish car market.

We will live in a rural location well served by motorways, and while we won't be commuting to work very much (maybe twice per week, 30 minutes each way, mostly on motorway), we will be making frequent runs to the shop, schools, and down the motorway quite often (trips around 2 hours long on average).

I want to buy two new cars:

One as a primary vehicle for family trips, with plenty of space for transporting lots of luggage, groceries, gardening supplies periodically, and good on the motorways.
One as a short-haul, run-around vehicle when the bigger vehicle is in use (though it may on occasion have to do longer trips).

The must-have requirements are:

Good safety in terms of impact rating
Modern tech -- e.g. a good display, wireless phone charger, a good soundsystem, rear cameras (ideally 360 parking camera), wing mirror blind spot warning, tyre pressure monitoring, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation
Reliable with low maintenance costs
Automatic transmission
For fuel my preference is diesel, followed by petrol hybrid (no plug-in electrics)

I am willing to spend up to EUR 80,000 cash for these two cars, and I want them new (80k is a limit not a target).

Questions:

Would I be better off buying both vehicles from the same dealership to maximize potential discounts, simplifying maintenance, etc.
What makes and models would you recommend? In my mind I am thinking: Skoda, Toyota (e.g. Yaris + Camry), but I am open to suggestions. I am not a big fan of estates.
Any other points you think I might not have considered are welcome.
What's a good guideline when buying -- what is usually up for grabs / negotiation, especially considering I want to buy two vehicles

Thanks!

ted1 · 04-11-2023 10:16am

Would you consider an electric? Ideal for the short hops

why do you not want a plug in?

Modulok · 04-11-2023 10:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121323319#Comment_121323319

No I probably would not. It probably wouldn't suit us given our location. I know no one else in our estate has one. If I lived in a town or city, I'd have no objections. However my knowledge of these types of cars isn't great, so I guess I am open to suggestions but only for the small vehicle. Although it's a runabout, it probably would be used for longer trips on occasion and I wouldn't want the hassle of charging in that scenario.

ted1 · 04-11-2023 10:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121323340#Comment_121323340

Once you can install a home charger , the location of your state is largely irrelevant.

Modulok · 04-11-2023 10:28am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121323344#Comment_121323344

Although it's a runabout, it probably would be used for longer trips (300km+ round trip) on occasion and I wouldn't want the hassle of charging in that scenario.

Damien360 · 04-11-2023 10:38am

Buying new is expensive for your requirements. 50k gets you a very good motor. In your list my own Seat Tarraco has all you listed as does a high spec Skoda Superb. Plenty of space in both. Both are around 50k. That leaves 30k and you are in Toyota Yaris territory. As you are a cash buyer, you should expect discounts. Leasing companies get 10% but I don't know what a private buyer should expect.

You might be able to bargain for bigger discount if you stay within the same marque. The Camry is petrol only here but well spec'd. That might get you more leeway for a Corolla if you were to stay within Toyota as this example.

AMKC · 04-11-2023 10:50am

You could get an MG4 and a Skoda Octavia or a Superb even for that money depending on which one suits you.

Yes sure you could buy both cars from the same company but then that could be a bit boring.

At least with two different ones you have a bit of choice.

04-11-2023 10:52am

Primary car, new diesel Skoda superb and new entry level Ford focus or golf for a very decent second car

But, if you bought nearly new, you could have a audi a6 and a decent mid spec golf.

mk7r · 05-11-2023 2:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121323403#Comment_121323403

You wont get much if any discount as a cash buyer, garages actually prefer people to finance as they get a commission on that.

They also prefer a decent trade in as they can retail that and make a profit there too.

AMKC · 05-11-2023 12:00pm

@OP How about a Skoda Octavia estate for your Primary car that will have a huge boot and then a Citroen C4-X saloon for your second car. It's a very handsome looking saloon and can now be got in diesel for a little over 30k or electric for 34k.