Car costing us a fortune advice what to do???

skintchick

I really think keeping it is a mistake - I've had numerous old, high mileage cars, and once they start costing a fortune they never seem to stop. More and more stuff goes wrong.

You can get a decent car for £5k second-hand - it needn't be a banger.

But it is a decision only you and hubby can make. It's not an easy one.

Curlyz

Contact the lender ask if you can voluntarily terminate at the half way point and if so ask for the figures. I have done this three time with GM finance and never had a problem (my loan terms and conditions clearly pointed out that this was possible) there's nothing illegal or immoral about it. Give them a ring - at least you'll know then. For info, I now lease a car on two yearly agreements- it's far cheaper than puchase on hire purchase.

dunc_2-2

i'd cut & run, why give the finance company your money :mad:

we bought a jap import toyota lucida (jap version of the previa) about a year ago its got a deisel engin & 8 seats! & is gr8 also fairly economical, average 35mpg not bad for a big mpv
we did a personal import through an agent called ; algys autos (no really)
check it out here
saved about 1500 quid on uk prices at the time & added bonus of picking the spec of vehicle, even the colour we wanted
you have to be prepared for a wait though ours took 12 weeks to arrive from japan & get all the paperwork done b4 we could collect it
ended up with an immaculate low milage bargain :T
cheers, Dunc

in*the*red_6

skintchick wrote:

I really think keeping it is a mistake - I've had numerous old, high mileage cars, and once they start costing a fortune they never seem to stop. More and more stuff goes wrong.

But it is a decision only you and hubby can make. It's not an easy one.

Thanks skintchick this is what I am worried about, we'll talk it through tonight and see what we can come up with.

in*the*red_6

dunc wrote:

i'd cut & run, why give the finance company your money :mad:

we bought a jap import toyota lucida (jap version of the previa) about a year ago its got a deisel engin & 8 seats! & is gr8 also fairly economical, average 35mpg not bad for a big mpv
we did a personal import through an agent called ; algys autos (no really)
check it out here
saved about 1500 quid on uk prices at the time & added bonus of picking the spec of vehicle, even the colour we wanted
you have to be prepared for a wait though ours took 12 weeks to arrive from japan & get all the paperwork done b4 we could collect it
ended up with an immaculate low milage bargain :T
cheers, Dunc

Wow, the prices for the Estimas are low, I'd never have considered doing something like this but come to think of it my brother imported their Honda CRV so maybe that came from Japan too. Do you end up paying lots of extra fees on top of the advertised prices though, it looks to good to be true!

skintchick

Also look at Trade Sales in Slough - they're famous for being cheap as chips.

jcr16

i think cutting your losses is the best idea.

but i not sure why your hubby won't get a car for under 5k. you could buy one for 5k and it break down next day or get one for 4k and it never break down.

my car cost £400 and it is so reliable. yet we paid 1k for one and it been nothing but trouble. it all depends on the car as to wether it reliable or not.
if u can get your hubby to look at cars from 3k and up wards. u don't need to buy one thatis 3k. but don't restrick yourself to 5k and above. but it might give u an idea what u can get for your money. also shop around for a few weeks before u buy a car. test drive it and research it. after all 5k or whatever u spend is alot of money. also if u have a friend who is good with cars take them with you and get them to give u their honest opinion on car, and check everything .

HTH

Jorgan_2

Shop around on the price for tyres, they vary a lot depending on what size wheel you have on the car, some 16" wheels or bigger require a reinforced tyre, don't be fobbed of by a garage telling you that you need the reinforced tyre when you don't. Sorry, can't tell how you tell the difference, mine doesn't need them, try looking on the side-wall of the tyre. Is it a petrol or a diesel engined car? If its diesel, it should run past 200k miles if serviced properly. Modern petrol engines will do well past 100k (mums petrol vectra has just passed 200k), again if serviced properly. Is this the original cam belt on the car? If so get it changed now, it is passed the recommended mileage. Had one snap on another car, £1200 to repair damage. Have a real good shop round on the servicing front, check what labour rate garage is charging per hour. If you live in a big city, look at going further afield, as long as costs stack up. My sister lives in London but has her car serviced when she goes to see Mum & Dad in South Wales, still main dealer & saves about £200 each service. Technical bit over.

Remember when part exchanging a car, you loose a lot of bargaining power on what your car is worth, you may get a higher figure than another garage but that extra will be added to the purchase price of the new car, plus there is the dealers margin involved.

I have heard mixed reports on the Estima & Lucida models, mainly regarding the supply of parts for these. They were never officially imported into the UK so all are imports. They may look like a Previa, but don't share common parts. Therefore parts may be difficult to get hold of unless going to a specialist repairer. As stated only what I have heard, I'm sure there will be some one along in minute to prove me wrong.

in*the*red_6

jcr16 wrote:

not sure why your hubby won't get a car for under 5k.

Think it's a man thing!

lottie26_2

i'd look around for 0% deals see whats about or go for your option 2 if they will let you do it don't rush into anything, good luck in what you decide