Is it worth getting home a second car? If so, which car to buy?

I am open to considering any of the new petrol automatic SUV options.

BHPian paradhak recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been a passive user of Team-BHP for a decade. Team-bhp is a great resource and have always found threads with info that I am looking for - whether it be vacation, electronics purchase, which route to take, general reading and of course car related stuff. But now, I am in a dilemma regarding a car purchase where I cannot find a matching thread.

I live in Bangalore and currently own a 2015 model (Gen IV) Honda City automatic which has done 55k. I stay close to work (round trip 4km) and do occasional long drives (twice or thrice 1k round trip annually). My family includes my wife, mother and 2 sons. My elder son's hobby classes have been increasing of late. Have employed a driver who takes him for his training thrice in a week and I am the Dad-uber on weekends.

On weekdays when the car is used by family, I take my scooter to work. Has not been a big hassle given that it is a small commute. But last month I had a fall. I am a slow and careful rider, but the combination of rain and potholes finally had me grounded. A bit of jarring on the right knee, the doctor advised a month's rest which has concluded. My knee is feeling better, but somehow I do not feel like taking a two-wheeler to work any more.

With this background let me pose my predicament. I am contemplating buying a second car.

Which car to buy?

• Petrol vs EV: Setting up a home charger is difficult in my apartment and EV does not become attractive from a running costs perspective as the running itself is limited. Hence it will be a petrol car.
• Sedan vs SUV: My mother is finding getting in and out of the Honda City troublesome. She finds SUV/Crossover more comfortable.
• Manual vs Automatic: My wife keeps threatening me that one day she will learn and start driving. For that eventuality, I will buy an automatic.
• Used vs New: I neither have the ability to hunt nor the luck(past track record) to get a good used car. So it will be a new car.

Which Petrol Automatic SUV?

1. Audi Q3 - Why not? There might be some pushback from the family on the price, but I can get them convinced. Q3 can be my drive, and the Honda city can be used by the family. Q3 being more of a cross-over, would be ideal within the city. The rear seat space is not the best. Badge appeal is also a factor. But the larger question in my mind is that I might feel unhappy with it and regret that I did not buy one of Q5/GLC/X3. I do believe I will be happy with those cars, but currently, they are out of my budget. God willing, they will be within budget in a few years.
2. Mahindra XUV 3XO - It is a smaller/cheaper car and will suit my requirements. It can be driven by the driver and I use the Honda City. If I buy a top-end model at 20L I save 40L for the eventual purchase of GLC/3 series/5 series whenever. Can also consider the AX5 model, which will help save a few more lakhs.
3. Toyota Hyryder - I am OK with the 25L budget. What is not OK are the looks. The rounded finishes of Hyrider do not appeal to me. Like with 3XO, the family can use the Hyrider and me being content with Honda City. Excellent mileage is a bonus. Bigger, better car. 2 years down the line, the Honda City can be sold and the 3 series/5 series bought.
4. Skoda Kodiaq - A practical option. My family gets the Honda City and I use the Kodiaq as a daily driver. 2 years down the line, the City can be sold and buy a car as per the needs then. Two cons for Kodiaq: 4-6kmpl mileage is too low + the new Kodiaq launch is expected next year.

My inner voice of practicality keeps asking "Why don't you wait, continue with the City and ride a scooter to office for a couple of years and then upgrade? At 4km, it is actually walkable. You are overreacting to a minor fall"

The countering thought follows "It indeed is walkable - But not at 10 am, the time I go to work. The streets are crowded, and unsafe for pedestrians and I reach the office covered in a layer of dust. You only live once. Buy a second car"

To sum it up. I am confused and all over the place with options. This is becoming a needless botheration for my otherwise carefree mind.

I hope this is how the thought system works for others as well. Guidance will be appreciated.

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