2nd Car- is it worth it?

[swizzle]

Hi

When I was a SAHM (stay at home mum) we ran two cars, however my car died before xmas and was not replaced.

At the Mo I walk the children to school 3/4 mile up hill- but they are used to it! Children aged 4 and 6 years.

I then get the bus to work, they have changed the times a month back so now have to wait 10-15 mins for a bus.

I work flexable hours, but change in bus times means that i can nolonger make up any extra time.

I have to leave work 10 mins before I used to to get the bus.

I then collect youngest from childcare and walk the 3/4 mile down hill home.
The older one comes home on the school bus, he can`t go on it as I have to walk little one up anyway.

Last night the boys went to a sports club, this is another 1 1/2 round trip. The buses do not fit in so we walk.
We get the bus if we can, like when we go swimming-as no set time to get there.

My hubbie has the car and works shifts, so would have to get the children up at 6am, take them out late at night-past bedtime extra if i was to drop him off.

Worked out that a car costs £350 a month to run-including everything. I don`t earn much more than this, plus I have £175 childcare to pay out.

I wanted to go back to work so we could have some extra money, a car would take most of that money!

On the upside-only another 12 mths to pay childcare, but should i wait until then to get a car or do it now?

We can walk now as it`s summer, but don`t think it will have the same apeal on a dark,wet,cold winter`s night!

Thanks- sorry i`ve gone on a bit- I am a woman!

[chrisw]

Only you can decide whether it's worth it! The walking will be doing you and the children a world of good, not to mention the environment but I can see the lack of appeal in the winter.

My wife does about 4000 miles a year in her car and it would probably work out cheaper for her to take taxis everywhere. However, the extra cost of a car is worth it to her for the added convenience.

£350 a month seems a bit steep - I'm sure I don't pay that much to run my car. Could you not get a cheap, oldish car and only use it when absolutely necessary?

[sandieb]

How far is your work? Is it feasible to cycle?

[sandieb]

Do you have a car share club or similar in your area? See http://www.carplus.org.uk/

Is it worth considering something like a Smartcar which would be cheaper to run and tax?

[swizzle]

I live in very hilley yorkshire- so a cycle is out of the question.

I only work part-time and term time only so car share is out.

I have been looking at a new Citreon C1, which are cheap to run, £45 a year road tax, 60 mpg and group 1 insurance.

Got the figure of £350 a month off `true cost of running a car` web site I would have to get a loan, and it includes depriation.

Sometimes i think am I mad? I know lots of familes with 2 cars- but they are in debt and i`m not.

But then i think that it would make life alot easier.

[Gambler]

You need to work out running costs plus finance costs i.e. actual costs

Don't worry about depreciation as you're not actually paying anything out.

[chrisw]

Instead of splashing out on a brand new car, I would have thought you would be better off getting something like a few years old Ford Ka, at least until you have finished paying out childcare.

[Spendless]

I only work part-time and term time only so car share is out.

Since the summer school hols are coming up and you won't be at work. Personally I'd leave it till at least the Autumn, then make your decision. If your car is not the 'family' one, though and just for getting kids about and you to and from work would you not be better off with an old banger to see you thru? You can always review situation once you stop paying for childcare.

[nej]

What might be more sensible is if you get a 2nd hand car, but have your husband use it for commuting, and you use the family car for ferrying the kids around.

[Gambler]

can't your husband get a lift to work?

[swizzle]

My husband has the family car- which i do not drive as i find it too big- i`m only small and just can`t get the hang of it!

He can`t get a lift or a bus- already tried that.

Did think about getting a 2nd hand one, but thought if i bought new or nearly new, I would not have to worry about repair bills-plus want something that the kids will be safe in. The car would be kept until i ran it into the ground.

Suppose at the end of the day I have to work out if it`s worth the hanging around and inconveniance so we can pay extra mortgage each moth or make life easier and get a second car, and pay the mortgage off further down the line.

Just been on www.thisismoney.co.uk/calculators

If I got a 2nd hand car at say £4k, and changed it after 3 years it would cost more a month than buying a new car and keeping it for 5 years!

[burbs]

Get yourself along to the auction and get a little bargain. You dont need a C1, although if you really do i have 1 for sale on my forecourt at the moment!!!!

You say that you worry about buying second hand with regard to the safety aspect and the repair bills. Trust me if you buy new cars things can still go wrong and when they do your wallet will know about it. Just because a car has been "used" does not make it any less safe for the kids.

You could pick up a peach of a little motor to do what you need for a grand or less and then you are away. If you can afford extra loans etc then by all means get the new C1 but if its going to make things a struggle bite the bullet and think cheaper

[swizzle]

burbs, it`s ok you saying go to the auction an get a car for a grand, but you know about cars- and what to look for, we don`t.

Knowing my luck i would come away with a car made out of 2 differant one`s and that would not be safe for the children would it?

I Don`t know anyone who knows anything about cars, so scared of being ripped off.

If I bought a new car- they come with a 3 year warranty-so no bills or mot`s for 3 years. Some i have looked at the warrenty even covers the exhaust!

[Lady S]

Not true about the warranty, there will be things which aren't covered. I had a car which had the engine go at 3 years 1 month and there was nothing I could do about it.

Buy private, and buy sensible. I have had two cars privately both for under 2k and we have been fine with them. I know nothing about cars, but I just used my common sense.

[Spendless]

How many miles would you be doing p.a swizzle? I bought my car 2nd hand from a garage 3 years ago for £1k. It is/has been used for taking me to part-time job, to college and back, running DD to playgroups and nursery and taking DS to swimming lessons. Occassional trips into town and for shopping. I'd say I average less than 3,000 a year so even though the car is old it isn't get a great deal of wear and tear and so far (fingers crossed) repair bills have been low. It is now 12 years old and passed MOT 1st time this year :j Do you have any family/friends/work-mates/neighbours who do know something about cars you could take with you to look at some.

[ArsenalFC]

If I bought a new car- they come with a 3 year warranty-so no bills or mot`s for 3 years. Some i have looked at the warrenty even covers the exhaust!

Servicing still cost you £150-£200 a year though. As you will be doing low mileage it's best to get a 2nd hand car, you will not need to give it a full service every year because of your mileage. Oil and filter change will do.
Depreciation will be high on a new car, after 3 years it'll lose 40-60% of its value.

The toyota yaris is a very reliable car, £3-£4k can get you a fine example.

[burbs]

burbs, it`s ok you saying go to the auction an get a car for a grand, but you know about cars- and what to look for, we don`t.

Knowing my luck i would come away with a car made out of 2 differant one`s and that would not be safe for the children would it?

I Don`t know anyone who knows anything about cars, so scared of being ripped off.

If I bought a new car- they come with a 3 year warranty-so no bills or mot`s for 3 years. Some i have looked at the warrenty even covers the exhaust!

Im not going to give away any major details here as i dont want to shoot myself in the foot but i assure you that a warranty is not worth the paper they its written on. I have dealt sports and performance cars for a number of years now and anyone in the business will know that a warranty in the whole scheme of things is pretty useless. There are a couple of exceptions to the rule but rare as rocking horse s##t.

Everyone seems to beleive that every car going through the auctions these days is a welded affair, simply not true. Dealers buy the majority of their cars at auction, whip it into the workshop for a quick check over, give it a polish and the next day its on the forecourt at 100% mark up. Then you come along and hand over your hard earned to the dealer as his showroom is "safer" than a auction hall.

If you dont know anything about cars and have nobody who does then perhaps this isnt the route for you then.

The other thing you could do is ask local dealers whether they have taken any cars in part exchange they can let you have on the cheap. They usually send them off to the auction which is a pain to say the least. They would be much happier to seel to you for a quick sale.

These are just options. I can tell from your posts that you seem to have your heart set on the more expensive option and if thats what you want go for it. You only live once!!