You need to decide what you want - to spend a bit more on a car that will last for years, or the lowest possible initial spend. You can't have both.
You should go and look at Kias and Hyundais though. Their stuff is getting really very good and it costs less than the Japanese stuff. Residuals aren't as good but you sound like you'll be buying it to keep for a good few years so that shouldn't concern you.
You need to decide what you want - to spend a bit more on a car that will last for years, or the lowest possible initial spend. You can't have both.
You should go and look at Kias and Hyundais though. Their stuff is getting really very good and it costs less than the Japanese stuff. Residuals aren't as good but you sound like you'll be buying it to keep for a good few years so that shouldn't concern you.