Don’t buy a Tesla Model 3: create this three car garage instead
May 02, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
For the same price as a new Tesla Model 3, you could buy yourself a practical SUV, a racy hot hatch and a quirky classic to satisfy your inner petrolhead.
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the best electric cars you can buy. It offers great range, loads of tech, blistering performance and it’s cheaper than a lot of alternatives. At £40,000, it’s around £5,000 cheaper than a BMW i4 and a Polestar 2.
However, what if you consider yourself a bit of a petrolhead and can’t quite decide if you want to commit to just one sensible car? Well for the same price as a Tesla model 3 you could get yourself a SUV for daily driving, a sporty hot hatch for weekend blasts and a cool classic for tinkering with in the garage.
| Cash* | £39,990 |
| Alaternative* | Polestar 2 |
| Lease* | £367 per month |
| Used* | £11,200 |
*Prices correct at the time of writing
The daily workhorse: New Dacia Duster
- Price: £22,000
- Remaining budget: £18,000
For your everyday car you’ll want something practical and dependable – so we’ve picked the Dacia Duster. You can get a brand new one for as little as £19,000, but you’ll want to spring for the mid-spec Expression model if you want a desirable kit such as a touchscreen infotainment system and a reversing camera.
This Duster still only costs £22,000, and it’s a spacious and comfortable SUV which will get you around with very little fuss. The interior may feel a bit cheap in places, but at this price that’s easy to forgive.
The weekend track toy: Renaultsport Clio Cup
- Price: £8,000
- Remaining budget: £10,000
Renault’s sporting division may be long extinct, but back in the late 00s it was making some of the best-driving hot hatches in the world. Petrolheads covet the Renaultsport Clio Cup for being an excellent track car straight out of the box.
This does make it quite uncomfortable on the road, but for a weekend B-road blast or the odd track day it’s really hard to beat. Clean examples from 2010 can be yours for around £8,000, just make sure to check for crash damage because these cars tend to have been driven enthusiastically.
The quirky classic: Morris Minor 1000
- Price: from £8,000
Finally, every keen car enthusiast needs something to spanner on in their spare time, and the Morris Minor is a great starter classic. The 1.0-litre A Series engine is really easy to work on, and all the mechanicals are simple and easy to get to grips with.
The key thing to look out for is rust, so look for one which has been dry stored. Don’t expect neck-snapping performance either, because all of them were very slow. It’s still a charming and lovable classic though – check out our review and buying guide to get the full low-down.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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