Could you take a look at my situation

Intergalactic_Floozie

We're currently running a 2.2L petrol Vauxhall Vectra which we bought in August last year. Insurance is coming up for renewal and cheapest I can find is £645 (following a bump when DH was driving, and NCB protected). We're currently doing around 260 miles per full tank, which costs £55 and that's not even lasting two weeks. Driving is mainly from A to B, home to school 1 back to school 2 then DH to work, then he comes home, and a bit of pootling around at the weekend.

I've managed to persuade him that it'd be sensible to consider another car that's cheaper to run and just wondered whether it'd make more sense to go for a larger diesel engine, or a smaller petrol given the type of driving we do.

My main aims are to keep the monthly running costs as low as possible.

Preferably I'd like a 5dr car with decent boot space. Our Vectra was purchased for £5400 in August (although I know it will have depreciated) and was high mileage as was a company car in its previous life and is a 2006 reg. Ideally I'd like to be able to do a straight swap for another vehicle (possibly a Focus), but I know a lot of dealers don't do this.

I'd just appreciate any thoughts and possible recommendations

TIA X

Sandrock

You're going to take quite a hit on your Vectra. Just seen a few 06 plates with average mileage go for between £3800-£4500. Hopefully you will be able to get a good deal!

How about getting something a bit older? As an example, I've got a 2003 reg Nissan Primera, with the 2.2 Diesel engine. It cost me £2500 and is big (an estate), 260 miles would cost about £35 and insurance/tax/parts are very cheap. You'd also have a bit left over after selling the Vectra to put towards the loans in your sig

My days of spending a considerable portion of my income on cars are now over!

Intergalactic_Floozie

Thanks Sandrock, sadly I bought the vehicle when my lightbulb moment was a mere flicker! I was taken in by the loveliness of the car (and I still think it is lovely and would be happy to keep it if I were richer) it just irks me that the car has more spending money than I do!!!!

I'd be happy to consider something older, DH would need some convincing.

cyclonebri1

Intergalactic_Floozie wrote: »

We're currently running a 2.2L petrol Vauxhall Vectra which we bought in August last year. Insurance is coming up for renewal and cheapest I can find is £645 (following a bump when DH was driving, and NCB protected). We're currently doing around 260 miles per full tank, which costs £55 and that's not even lasting two weeks. Driving is mainly from A to B, home to school 1 back to school 2 then DH to work, then he comes home, and a bit of pootling around at the weekend.

I've managed to persuade him that it'd be sensible to consider another car that's cheaper to run and just wondered whether it'd make more sense to go for a larger diesel engine, or a smaller petrol given the type of driving we do.

My main aims are to keep the monthly running costs as low as possible.

Preferably I'd like a 5dr car with decent boot space. Our Vectra was purchased for £5400 in August (although I know it will have depreciated) and was high mileage as was a company car in its previous life and is a 2006 reg. Ideally I'd like to be able to do a straight swap for another vehicle (possibly a Focus), but I know a lot of dealers don't do this.

I'd just appreciate any thoughts and possible recommendations

TIA X

With that type of driving you do not need a bigger diesel engine, 1.5,1.7,1.9 would be perfectly adequate and a revelation in terms of fuel consumption.

In my case my old 2ltr petrol vectra averaged 28mpg, the 1.5 diesel I now have gives 50 min and frequently approaches 70mpg:j:j:j

andygb

If it is any consolation, our X reg Mondeo 1.8 Verona petrol, does around 500 miles on a tank of unleaded (£55 thereabouts), and we do not hang around, so to speak. We once got 550 miles in France at very near three figure motorway cruising.
I even used to get 350 miles out of my Alfa GTV 2.0, being an absolute lunatic petrolhead, and the entertainment value was something awesome.
Why not go for an X type Jaguar with a diesel engine, they will do over 50MPG, and you will travel in style and comfort.

Intergalactic_Floozie

Any thoughts on Ford Focus's? Plenty in our area for around £4k, and insurance is coming back in the £400's, as opposed to the £600's. I'd be thinking 1.6L petrol?

AdrianHi

Intergalactic_Floozie wrote: »

Any thoughts on Ford Focus's? Plenty in our area for around £4k, and insurance is coming back in the £400's, as opposed to the £600's. I'd be thinking 1.6L petrol?

Assuming the price is right the the car and age it's a good option.

With modern diesels being what they are, low mileage short town trips and your better off with a smaller petrol engine. All the emmissions control "features" on modern diesels frequently lead to problems if they are not used for open road motoring on a regular basis and your loosing a lot of their fuel saving potential with sort trips. Diesel engines take longer to warm up and get to their most effient temperature than a petrol. On short trips they never get the chance to warm up.

Intergalactic_Floozie

Adrian, that was very useful, thank you very much.4

I've phoned a trader up and explained my situation to him and he's going to ring me back when he gets into the showroom. He didn't laugh me off the phone, which was a good sign I suppose :-)