To service or NOT to service

lisyloo

but if you are scared of expensive repair bills why not sell it while it has life left in it and get a few quid for it

I'm not scared of expensive bills.
I will simply scrap it (or give it away) and get another one.
I've been expecting that for about 4 years so I'm quite comfortable with that.

I'm jst putting the servicing under the microscope of money saving.

Getting a few quid for a reliable car that MAY last a few years sounds crazy to me.
It's zero depreciation, low insurance and I don't have to worry about it getting damaged (as it's rather dented, scratched and rusty already).
Whilst it's going withouth much expense it makes perfect sense to keep it.
After all it MAY go on for years.
My last big expense was 2004 so I've had 4 years of cheap and reliable motoring since then.
It doesn't make sense to exchange that for a few quid.

maybe get something with only 2wd and a timing chain? an older merc perhaps?

I am thinking of getting a Peugeot 206 coupe.
Very girly I know but it should be more economical on petrol and easier to park.

BillScarab

Presonally I'd just get the oil and filter changed and possibly the air filter. It's going to cost a fair bit to change the cam belt, probably more than it's worth so I would just drive it until it has a terminal failure or it fails the MOT and will cost too much to fix. I've done this in the past and it is a cheap way of motoring so long as the potential for a breakdown isn't critical to you.

goldspanners

lisyloo wrote: »

I am thinking of getting a Peugeot 206 coupe.
Very girly I know but it should be more economical on petrol and easier to park.

do your research on these then,i think your subaru will outlast a newer 206.

lisyloo

so I would just drive it until it has a terminal failure or it fails the MOT and will cost too much to fix. I've done this in the past and it is a cheap way of motoring so long as the potential for a breakdown isn't critical to you.

Thanks Bill, that's my feeling too.
I have breakdown cover so I'm not too worried about breaking down.

do your research on these then,i think your subaru will outlast a newer 206.

Thanks for the warning.

I am actually considering going without a car which is very plausible in the summer (I have a motorbike and bicycle as well).
It's just a case of being prepared to walk about 4 miles a day in ANY weather in the winter to get the train.

lisyloo

Just wanted to say thanks again for the advice.

I decided to go ahead with the full service.
I needed some new front brake pads and a pair of rear brake cylinders so I'm glad I went for the service.

I know this is the mortoring board but I'm seriously considering not getting another car when this one expires as it's now cheaper to get the train - never used to be, but is working out differently now that fuel has gone up a lot.

hewhoisnotintheknow

bloke i work with has a diesel xantia, has had it for 5 years and has only replaced the brake pads and topped up the oil, he claims that the leak means he just tops it up more often with fresh oil which is ismilar to an oil change!

Not had any problems with it, we reckon that if he was to start fiddling with it now it will die!

He only payed 200 for it, not bad going!

anewman

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

and topped up the oil, he claims that the leak means he just tops it up more often with fresh oil which is ismilar to an oil change!

Not had any problems with it, we reckon that if he was to start fiddling with it now it will die!

He only payed 200 for it, not bad going!

It will eventually die from no oil change given time. Topping up only gives a small amount of fresh oil and the filter still needs changing. It won't die from being serviced properly.

He would probably get his £200 back weighing it in as scrap metal anyway.

hewhoisnotintheknow

anewman wrote: »

It will eventually die from no oil change given time. Topping up only gives a small amount of fresh oil and the filter still needs changing. It won't die from being serviced properly.

He would probably get his £200 back weighing it in as scrap metal anyway.

Yes, this is exactly what he has predicited! He wants to buy another car but is giving this one death until it fails and mot or stops working!

cyclonebri1

Just change the oil and filter once a year untill something dies if its of so little value to you, but it may just last longer than you expect, remember the Toyota on top gear?

hewhoisnotintheknow

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Just change the oil and filter once a year untill something dies if its of so little value to you, but it may just last longer than you expect, remember the Toyota on top gear?

ive started doing this on my 406, before i was really hot on servicing, now after watching friends and their service patterns, i only change the oil ( a bit earlier than usual) and filters when they need doing. Other than that i keep an eye on everything and will now only fix stuff when it breaks.

Spent nothing on it in 15months and it goes like a dream