I have €14,000 to spend...

I have €14,000 to spend...

Hi Shane, I am looking to change my car in December or new year. I am so confused, part of me wants a Lexus RX or Audi A7 and I’m not fussed about the years or mileage. The other part of me is happily looking at Fiat Tipos / Guiletta / DS5 & C5’s. Top end of my budget is €14k. I’ve never had auto and something prestige but I wonder should I be more concerned about having a 2016/2017 for the same money as a 2010/2011 and I’m worried about the road tax going up if that’s happening on the prestige cars. What would you recommend out of the 6 cars mentioned?

Our answer:

Hi Brian,

That's a very wide range of options so we'll be general in the answer. The Tipo was built as a budget car and feels like it. You may get a newer one for the same money, but I'm not convinced it's worth it. The Giulietta is quite a lovely car, but don't expect it to keep its value. And make sure you check that everything on it works as expected - plus, insist on a full service history. Same for the DS5, actually. The C5 is comfortable and spacious and well-equipped, but not particularly 'prestige'. The Audi A7 you can afford for that budget is likely to be much older and of high mileage, and could come with high bills. The Lexus is one we'd be tempted by, but it's not particularly efficient and will be expensive to tax. It's the most luxurious and prestige of the cars listed and Lexus has a great reputation for reliability, too.

Shane O'Donoghue

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