Commendedccoommmmeennddeedd Mercedes E-class Est Mk4
The current e-class estate is brilliant but pricey family transport, so those on a tighter budget should look at the previous generation, which is capable but still feels premium. It has a huge boot and roomy cabin; the e 250 CDI is fast yet frugal, too.
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pcp prices of £330 per month might sound steep, but bear in mind this level of outgoing only secures you a compact hatch on the new market and it’s easy to see how affordable a second-hand, current-generation superb estate is.
That’s with a £1,179 deposit as well. Buying used has never been so affordable.
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Affordability from new tends to mean affordability when used, and that’s true on finance, too, where monthly prices of around £128 on a PCP mean you get all the space and efficiency of an insignia for city-car costs.
Part of the reason is that this car has already taken its biggest depreciation hit, so finance becomes even cheaper. it’s a great deal.
The Suzuki Ignis is a little more expensive than the 2008 because it’s a newer model, but it’s also more compact. The Ignis is still a great small SUV, however, because even in entry-level SZ3 spec the Suzuki comes with loads of standard kit, while it looks great and is fun to drive.
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AUTO Express’s Car of the last 30 years, the Nissan Qashqai, is one of the best crossovers on sale.
While a facelift last year smartened the car up slightly, the changes weren’t major, so used versions offer similar levels of efficiency, performance and practicality to new models, even if the tech isn’t quite as strong. But then neither is the price on finance; you can pick up our chosen spec for as little as £156 per month.
Land Rover Discovery 4
The Mk4 Land Rover Discovery is a great used buy, due to its incredible off-road ability, sweet V6 diesel engines, seven-seat usability and premium feel. But Land Rover doesn’t have the greatest reliability record.
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SPACE is key in a large SUV, as we’ve seen, but buying a used sorento outright and on PCP finance shows you don’t have to sacrifice affordability in the pursuit of practicality.
That’s because with a deposit of around £1,700 you could drive away on a £300-per-month deal. Do some calculations and you’ll realise when it comes to space per pound, this is a great offer.
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JUST £1,700 down gets you one of the finest-handling junior executive saloons on the market for a scarcely-believable £280 per month on PCP finance.
As with all PCP deals, there’ll be a balloon payment at the end of the term, but for £11,780 in total over three years, you won’t find a more affordable deal paying monthly on a used car, especially one that as good as the Jaguar.