FKP may rule in car dealerships, but buying is smarter. We have chosen second hand alternatives for every kind of new car
Nobody buys new cars anymore - at least not with their own money. Apparently smart people invest their hard-earned money into buying a personal contract (PP) that allows them to put the lump sum down and get the new car they want parked on the drive.
With PCP you can pay the selling price and keep the car at the end. In addition, you can exchange it for another PCP, or just return the car after walking. The trouble is that you are buying into a recurring cycle of regular payment desperation, which is hard to get out.
If you decide to take a deposit and instead use it for a one-time investment in a used car. That's where the really smart money comes in - and over the next few pages we have the evidence, from new PCP offerings to vs. cash options, to suit just about every taste and budget.
Electric cars
Five and a half pieces buys an old school EV, and it will do a quiet job for local trips, if you want to feel good about the environment and maybe long trips too, once our national infrastructure can offer full charging support. For buyers to drive no-emissions cars, this is a cost-effective way to do so.
Buy New: Nissan Leaf at N-Connecta Propilot (£5489 deposit, £389 per month for 37 months)
For your deposit: 2011 Mitsubishi i-Miev e, 6000 miles, £5250
Officially the range is 93 miles and it takes seven hours to get fully charged. It was Tamashi's package, so it's air-con, and the mileage remains negligible. It's something for a short, local, uncomfortable shopping trip or drive.
Also try: 2012 Citroen C-Zero, 22000 miles, £5300 | 2012 Renault Fluence, 33,122 miles, £4999 | 2013 Renault Twizy, 3000 miles, £4400
Family Homesteads
Homesteads are an oddity, but there's steady demand from business buyers and families who want the practicality of a Navalny-free, or towable SUVs without the aerodynamic punishment. There are a lot of options, but finding one in it is one problem. Choose something stylish with a good badge and a great price or a lugger.
Buy new: Opel Astra Sports Tourer Sri-1.4 (£3563 deposit, £358.29 per month for 36 months)
For your deposit: 2010 Kia Seed SV, 99,000 miles, £3000
There have been some big miles of Passats and Skoda Octavia - it's tempting, but here's something different and super-reliable. This is a typical privately owned car sold through a dealer with a reassuringly completed major service history agents and full MOT. Here it is cheap, practical estating at its best.
Also try: 2009 Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTI with property, 103,000 km, £2999 | 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedan, 62000 miles, £3100 | 2013 Seat Ibiza 1.6 TDI CR ST 139,000 km, £3700
Supercars
The sad truth is that not every supercar buyer will be the actual owner. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is much more satisfying to have one and enjoy all the trauma and excitement that can be associated with. This gives us a massive deposit to play with and it would be easy to pick a preloved Aston, but I think we might be a little less obvious than that.
Buy new Aston Martin DBS Schaffhausen (£60,809.Deposit 83, £1999 per month for 24 months)
For your deposit: 2017 Maserati beautiful B8 Sport, 18,500 km, £60,000
You can argue all day if this is a supercar, but at least it's a Maserati and it has the same GT aura as the Aston Martin. It may not be Schaffhausen but it is indeed Italian. Also, you would be buying it from the main agent, so there is no short-term worry. What you call a super car.
For your deposit: 2014 BMW I8, 10 miles, £000
Cutting-edge supercars don't come much sharper than this. Relatively old, but it still looks like the future. The i8 remains elegant even a few years down the line, and 134mpg and 0-60 mph in just four seconds are pretty compelling arguments. For sale by dealer with all correct history. Buy it, put some miles on it.
Also try: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo, 41,000 miles, £60,000 | 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo 14.000 miles, £55,499 | 2015 Audi R8 V8 4.2 Quattro, 17000 miles, £59,995
Premium SUVs
Like it or not, the premium segment of the automotive market is getting a little higher—one will rise that will never knowingly go off-road. With that in mind, there were even more SUVs to choose from. It's a sign of preference now, and there's some serious judgment going on in the mix, especially anything that runs on one of those dirty diesel engines. You could have a Porsche Cayenne or a Mercedes-Benz M-Class, but that's what the BMW X5 looks like so far.
Buy new: Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport 2.0 D 180 hp auto (£6325 deposit, £399 per month for 37 months)
For your deposit: 2004 BMW X5 3.0 D Sport, 80.000 miles, £6300
If you're going to buy an old SUV, make sure it's the same owner, complete one, with a rearview camera and xenon headlights. He also sits on the set of the new Michelin. Excellent.
Also try: 2006 Range Rover Sport 2.7td V6 off the tower, 90 miles, £000 | 6100 Jeep Compass 2011 CRD & Society, 2.2 km, £71,000 | 6000 Audi Q2006 7tdi Quattro SE, 3.0km, £97,000
Daily fall from the top
There is no better roadster than the MX-5 and not for a couple of decades. The argument for buying new ones at PCP is choosing to pay the final amount will always be reasonable. But if you're on a budget and don't believe in borrowing, there are options that could put an even more charismatic badge on your keyring.
Buy New: Mazda MX-5 132GP+ (£3271 deposit, £219 per month for 43 months)
For your deposit: 2008 Mini Cooper with convertible, 99,000 miles, £2850
The thing about minis is that although they can be everywhere, they are a very glorious driving pleasure. Just like a hairdressery like an MX5, yes, but in the right color and with 170bhp, you'll have the ball. Also, unlike some drop-top options, sorting them out when they fail may not cost more than the purchase price. Very affordable and a potential future classic in Cooper's trim.
Also try: 2005 smart roadster, 61,000 km, £2725 | 2004 Toyota MR2 1.8 VVT, 86,000 miles, £2600 | 2003 mg TF, 35000 miles, £3000
off-road workers
When there is work to be done, contractors go for rock solid models like the L200. The secret to buying, then, is to avoid everything that's already been thrashed at the construction site, so ideally with a VAT-registered soft business that wanted something different for school. These protectors are for people who don't want to break.
Buy new: Mitsubishi L200 warrior double cab petrol (£10,698 deposit, £292.13 per month for 37 months)
For your deposit: Toyota Hilux 2014 2.5 D-4D active, 125000 miles, £10,000
It has a canopy box on the back, finished in utility white, and there are those fluorescent stripes on the tailgate that can't be strictly legal. Yes, this Hilux was run by a previous one owner, although God knows how many drivers it had. Never mind, it's completely indestructible 'Lux. In addition, people will not contact you if you are out of such overalls.
Also try: 2013 Isuzu D-Max 2.5td Yukon, 129,000km, £10,000 | 2013 Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 Bi TDI Highline, 134,000 km, £9995 | 2006 Land Rover 90 TD5, 117,000 km, £10,000
Sports icons
For a relatively small investment, you can drive to 911 every day for as long as you can to keep up with payments. Cheaper and better-value alternatives like the Jaguar XKR or Aston DB9 are well worth considering, but there's really no substitute for a used 911 - especially as the older ones are more compact and much cooler.
Buy New: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS DPK (£23,100 deposit, £1080.50 per month for 36 months)
For your deposit: 2004 Porsche 911 3.6 996 Carrera 4C, 78 miles, £000
A truly affordable 911 is in private hands, but if it has a history like this, you should be safe and sound. This is an example of Tiptronic too, and this is an analogue of our PCP to buy - just older, smaller and better. Looked good enough to go and see, then buy.
For your deposit: 2014 Chevrolet Camaro 6.2 V8 with 45 Special Edition, 42,500 km, £22,500
Well, here's the ignorant all-American opposite the sophisticated European, and it's really wonderful. Looks amazing, sounds brutal, and has new tires and brakes, plus £899 service with a fresh one. This is a real rarity and a great way to spend a deposit.
Also try: 2010 Jaguar and tech 5.0 V8, and 30 miles, £000 | 23,000 Aston Martin DB2004, 9 miles, £70 | 000 Lotus Europe 22,000 with 2007 miles, £2.0
Hybrid hatchbacks
Private rental is a career and what better way to have a low impact emissions? Toyota is a guarantee of quality and obtaining technical rights. The styling is a little odd, but if you want your gas to go on and not so much pay road tax, it's hard to argue with a Prius. Other manufacturers have jumped into the fray, so despite the congested line of sight, there are options.
Buy New: Toyota Prius Plug-in Business Edition Plus (£7990 deposit, £349 per month for 42 months)
For your deposit: 2011 Honda CR-Z i-VTEC IMA GT, 73,000 miles, £6000
Okay, it can't pick up a fare, but just look at it. Don't be boring - on the contrary, drive a pocket coupe for fun and entertainment. This example had a full service history, rides on 17 inch wheels and has one of those panoramic sunroofs. It will do more than 55mpg too.
Also try: 2011 Lexus CT200h 1.8 SE CVT, 120 miles, £000 | 6598 Suzuki Baleno 2016 Dualjet SZ1.2, 5 miles, £28000 | 7900 Honda Insight, 2009 miles, £53,000
People movers
Some buyers with big hands think “I'll put down £1k and do something new”, then in three years they should find £6000 to keep the car, although many will simply start over. With a deposit limit we don't have much to play with, but that's our game. Easy to own an SUV and MPV is the answer to many car prayers, and we have a bangernomic budget to blow on something useful.
Buy new: Peugeot 2008 1.2 Puretech Allure (£999 deposit, £210.17 per month for 36 months)
For your deposit: 2005 Mercedes-Benz A150 classic, 95,000 miles, £1000
Small useful family transport with a cockade? Once upon a time, the A-Class looked like the future, and it was certainly smart and brilliantly packaged. This example is a two-owner car with a full MOT, service history, a pair of new tires and a pair of keys. These age gracefully, but you must watch out for rot and desolation.
Also try: 2007 Ford Focus 1.6 subcompact, 98,000 miles, £1000 | Vauxhall Astra 2004, 74 km, £000 | 1000 Renault Megane 2006 VVT, 1.6 miles, £67
small hatchbacks
With some manufacturer backed schemes with small deposits, our story doesn't work so well if you add the cost of a loan. When you go for very easy payment options with 0% for a shorter period, then the amount paid upfront will be used by car money. There are plenty to choose from, and the key is to find pristine single-family-owner examples.
Buy new Ford Ka+ 1.2 85PS active 5 door (deposit £4399, £149 per month for 27 months)
For your deposit: 2013 Citroen DS3 1.6 e HDi from airdream, 71,000 km, £4000
Here's a less obvious option, with fewer doors but maybe a little more style. You pay zero road tax for that too. This particular example was from the dealer so it came with a reassuring warranty to put your mind at ease.
Also try: 2012 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SXi, 67 miles, £000 | 4000 Hyundai i2012 10 active, 1.2 miles, £28000 | 4100 Suzuki 2012 RZ1.2, 2 miles, £52000
Executive saloons
New showrooms are not growth areas unless they have the right badge. He's saying something, though, when Audi gives buyers a £3k deposit sweetener to entice them. The black edition doesn't have to be an Audi, especially when there are clear BMW and Mercedes alternatives to be had.
Buy New: Audi A4 Black Edition 35 TFSI for (£9029.93 deposit, £299 per month for 48 months)
For your deposit: 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 1.8 Lusso, 44,000 miles, £8995
Why follow the crowd by sticking with dull old Germans when Italians can look so good? The 159 is perfect to look at and drive. We also saw a full service history which included a new roller and water pump. Mileage is still very small, too, So here's the Alpha you always promised yourself.
Also try: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S220, 63,000 miles, £9000 | 2013 BMW 320 CI convertible SE, 90 miles, £000 | 8500 Lexus IS 2010 250 F Sport, 2.5 miles, £52000
Large luxury sedans
If depreciation is going to wipe out any demographic then it's all irrelevant luxury offerings that will suffer. So if you're going to PCP and moving on, barges are for those who can afford to shoot down. On the up, used by car buyers is becoming a huge, bumpless, comfortable old bus that can last several years - or give you picky nightmares. Although you will get a lot of engine for the money.
Buy new: BMW 730d Sport (£3999 deposit, £699 per month for 47 months)
For your deposit: 2007 Honda Legend 3.5 i-VTEC V6 w/ex, 119 miles, £000
No, it's not a Lexus. It turns out to be even dimmer, but still quite cute. Basically it's a giant Civic with a ton of old technology, including outdated voicecommanded sat nav, that'll make you laugh. The point is that it will be just as reliable as a baby Civic if looked after. You also hardly ever see another.
Also try: 2009 Lexus GS 300 3.0 SE with CVT, 126,000 miles, £3600 | 2006 Audi A8 3.0tdi 134,000km, £3500 | 2005 Mercedes Benz C320, 99,000 miles, £3700
BEST TIPS FOR RUPPERT
How to get the best finance deal
It's always best to compare schemes, lenders and different annual interest rates, which will reveal the true cost of a loan over the entire period. Be on the lookout for additional costs that will negate early payments, such as excessive mileage and any damage, but small ones. Consider taking out a flashing that will pay in full if the car is a complete write-off, and most importantly the remaining finances for the car, even if something more than its value.
Buy and get a guarantee
The warranty comes into effect as an insurance policy that covers your vehicle against certain mechanical damage. Vehicles purchased from independent dealers and automotive supermarkets may be offered with a packaged warranty, but it is possible to buy your own warranty.
There are many to choose from, and some covers are more than just mechanical damage. You can even get a policy that works when the auto isn't your word, and there are packages that cover maintenance and extended maintenance and repair costs for the year. It's perfect for some driver and remove any worries about unexpected expenses.
It's important to read the fine print to see exactly what - and what's not covered. You can limit claims and you may even contribute to the costs. High mileage cars and older bangers may not usually be eligible unless they are over ten years old and have covered over 100 miles. At the other end of the market, some sports cars and sophisticated luxury cars may also be excluded.
A good warranty covers the engine, fuel, ignition systems, cooling system, electrical, gearbox, system, transmission, steering, suspension and some clutch and brake parts, but does not wear items such as the clutch itself or brake pads.
Alternative options besides PP deals
Personal leasing is another popular new car buying alternative where the buyer pays the dealer a fixed monthly amount for the use of the car, service and repairs are factored into the payments. The mileage must not exceed the specified limit and at the end of the leasing agreement the car is returned to the dealer.
This is a more expensive way to start a car because it includes maintenance and a maintenance schedule. The down payment is high, too, and often three months' worth of payment.
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