Try, Buy, Dream – October 2025

Trying a car has never been easier – lots of car brands now offer subscription services on a monthly basis, with no down payment or exit fee so you can swap in and out of different models with minimal notice. Or you can lock in for longer, on a leasing deal, which still means you just pay a monthly amount and hand the car back at the end of the deal. Additionally, some brands provide 24-hour test drives for a chance to get to know the car before you commit.
Then there’s the Buy choice, whether it’s paying for the car in one hit or signing up to a fixed term finance deal with the option to buy the car at the end. These are cars that make good long-term sense. And finally our fave section, for dreamers everywhere. The new luxe stuff, the wishlist option or the treat yourself splurge, depending on how big that imagined windfall might be. Enjoy this month’s offerings!

The all-new Renault 5 is a joy to live with, and we would know as we’ve spent several happy months with one on long-term test. With it’s funky looks, Google-powered tech and a usable range, it’s one of the best small electric cars on the market. The R5 qualifies for the new Electric Car Grant which not only makes it cheaper to buy, but it’s also cheaper to lease. Leasing allows you to try out the electric lifestyle without committing to buying the car and there are currently some great deals to be had on Autotrader. Getting behind the wheel of a Renault 5 has never been easier.
Find out more about leasing a Renault 5 E-tech here

The ID.4 was Volkswagen’s first electric SUV and laid the groundwork for related models like the ID.5 and Skoda’s Enyaq. Selected versions of all three cars are now eligible for the £1,500 Electric Car Grant making these roomy family wagons look more appealing than ever. The ID.4 is our top buy for this month with its sensible blend of power, range and features. If you can charge at home on a dedicated EV energy tariff the ID.4 should be very cost effective to run. Plus, Volkswagen is currently offering considerable contributions towards finance deals to help make the ID.4 even more affordable.
Find out more about the Volkswagen ID.4 here

Driving a convertible Maserati along the Italian coastline in the autumnal sunshine is the stuff of dreams full stop, and one that somehow came true for us earlier this week. Check back soon for how that went and a full review on the MCPura Cielo we were driving, this being the updated version of the MC20 supercar with a new name, more luxurious trimmings and a choice of new colours including this rather fetching Devil Orange. It looks great but the inspiration is just as cool, the shade created in homage to the “she-devil” Maria Teresa De Filippis who was the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 race back in 1958. And, of course, she did it in a Maserati. An amazing woman, a fantastic tribute and the kind of story to seal the brand’s reputation as the stuff of dreams.
Check out Maseratis on Autotrader here

Try, Buy, Dream – September 2025
Try, Buy, Dream – August 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – July 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – June 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – May 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – April 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – March 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – February 2025 Try, Buy, Dream – January 2025