aarrggh - car has just died - but got a new one! :-)

foreign_correspondent

today my car has died, the engine is kaput, its not worth working on, its an 11 year old daewoo with many dints and scrapes...

dunno what to do, considering car auctions as that's where the daewoo came from 9 years ago, and it was a cheap car that has earned its money! I was hoping it would last out another year or so.... have recently got it through the MOT, wouldnt have bothered if I knew it was on its way out!

any advice or words of wisdom? what can I buy that's cheap and reliable?

anewman

Did it get any more than the MOT? MOT does not equal a service. Is it *really* not worth repairing? How much would a similar car set you back? How much would a second hand replacement engine fitted cost you?

Rolandtheroadie

Whats wrong with the engine? Will it just not start or is there a big hole in the side of it?

edde

Nissan Micra the old shape particuly they just go and go not cheap tyres though as there a unusual size and some parts can not be that cheap but they are very reliable

foreign_correspondent

Thanks folks - I can buy the same year and model for about £4-£500 in better nick, and it seems like piston rings have most likely gone, so, together with the decrepid bodywork and tatty interior (and it really is decrepid, I had it vandalised unfortunately, when kids decided to jump on it a while ago!) it just isnt worth tackling.

I am actually thinking of buying the same model but a few years younger - seen one in the paper, they are asking for £750, if I can get it for a bit cheaper I am quite tempted, as I can always take some spare parts off the old one before it goes off to the scrapyard!

anewman

Weren't the Daewoo's based on Vauxhalls?

LandyAndy

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Thanks folks - I can buy the same year and model for about £4-£500 in better nick, and it seems like piston rings have most likely gone, so, together with the decrepid bodywork and tatty interior (and it really is decrepid, I had it vandalised unfortunately, when kids decided to jump on it a while ago!) it just isnt worth tackling.

I am actually thinking of buying the same model but a few years younger - seen one in the paper, they are asking for £750, if I can get it for a bit cheaper I am quite tempted, as I can always take some spare parts off the old one before it goes off to the scrapyard!

I think you are right to go for the newer car of the same type and keep the old one for spares.

You've had your money's worth and appear to have arrived at the 'good money after bad' phase of old car ownership.

Rolandtheroadie

anewman wrote: »

Weren't the Daewoo's based on Vauxhalls?

Dont quote me on this, but I believe daewoo bought all the moulds/parts etc when vauxhall stopped making the MK 2 astra.

LandyAndy

anewman wrote: »

Weren't the Daewoo's based on Vauxhalls?

The first ones in the UK (Nexia = Astra, Espero = Cavalier) were.

foreign_correspondent

yeah, I know a lot of people aren't fond of them, so they often go cheaply, but I have to say, mine has done very well considering it's had ten years of neglectful motoring, vandalism, general abuse and heavy use!

It has only ever broken down once, and never cost more than about £60 to get through an MOT, so I have been really pleased with it - and I am after utility and value for money over looks and flash!

anewman wrote: »

Did it get any more than the MOT? MOT does not equal a service.

hmm, thanks for that useful information! :rolleyes: I never, for one moment, was under the impression that it did...

I think you are right to go for the newer car of the same type and keep the old one for spares.

glad you agree with me LandyAndy, I think the OH thought it was a daft idea!

foreign_correspondent

UPDATE - just got a newer version of the old car, on a W plate, very low mileage ( less than 30k), pretty much immaculate (obviously been garaged, owned by an old chap) with a FSH from a local daewoo dealership for £800. (negotiated down from 1k)

It's got air con that works too!!! :cool::T:cool: (old car had air con, but never managed to get it working!)

I know that a car which has been driven so little can have it's own problems, but having had a good look round it and a drive I am happy to chance that. All in all, I am very pleased, just hoping it doesnt get vandalised, as at the moment it looks so tidy!