Can't decide if I should swap my car?

JennyP

I drive an old Merc SLK and it is LOVELY but I do quite a lot of miles and wonder if I should change to something more economical.

I pay around £60 to fill the tank and get about 450 miles out of that (but that is quite a lot of motorway and I rarely exceed 60 mph. I'm also careful to check the tyres are pumped up as that makes a huge difference!)

I think to get more fuel economy I'd be looking at a diesel really.

I really can't afford to spend too much - preferably about 6K and no more than 8K - and I want something that looks nice and uses less fuel. Any thoughts?

My idea is to look for a low mileage diesel Audi A3. Any advice?

Kilty_2

JennyP wrote: »

I really can't afford to spend too much - preferably about 6K and no more than 8K - and I want something that looks nice and uses less fuel. Any thoughts?

My idea is to look for a low mileage diesel Audi A3. Any advice?

£6k to £8k is ex-company-car territory, so a low mileage one isn't going to happen in that price range IMO.

Plus a low mileage diesel is rarely a good idea.

Strider590

What's the old car worth? and will you be spending more on the new car than you'd save in fuel?

How old is "old"? I consider old to be 15 years plus, while the more materialistic of society consider "old" to be 2 years.

motorguy

JennyP wrote: »

I drive an old Merc SLK and it is LOVELY but I do quite a lot of miles and wonder if I should change to something more economical.

I pay around £60 to fill the tank and get about 450 miles out of that (but that is quite a lot of motorway and I rarely exceed 60 mph. I'm also careful to check the tyres are pumped up as that makes a huge difference!)

I think to get more fuel economy I'd be looking at a diesel really.

I really can't afford to spend too much - preferably about 6K and no more than 8K - and I want something that looks nice and uses less fuel. Any thoughts?

My idea is to look for a low mileage diesel Audi A3. Any advice?

How many miles per year do you do?

JennyP

I think I do 25,000 miles a year and according to Parkers I'd get between 5 and 6 K for my old car. My old car is also starting to cost me money because it's developing the odd problem, as cars do.

motorguy

JennyP wrote: »

I think I do 25,000 miles a year and according to Parkers I'd get between 5 and 6 K for my old car. My old car is also starting to cost me money because it's developing the odd problem, as cars do.

Sounds like your well into diesel car territory then.

There are various a3 TDI's, up to four years old and less than 60K miles (low miles for a diesel) from around the £8K mark on autotrader.

Be aware though that most 'mainstream' dealerships wont be very interested in your car therefore will offload it to a trader (usually with the scantest of descriptions over the phone) OR price it at what they think it will make at a trade auction.

I would advise looking for a small independent dealership who maybe also stocks cars like yours - that way you'll get a better price if he plans to stock it himself.

JennyP

I thought I'd sell my car myself on Autotrader....that way I'll get a better price. I know it's a hassle but it's probably worth it isn't it?
My best mate had an Audi A3 diesel that went like the clappers, did 250,000 miles with very few problems and didn't use much fuel at all.
Just checked on Autotrader...those ones you mentioned are all MILES from me....though one of them in particular has caught my eye - bright red! it's gorgeous!

motorguy

JennyP wrote: »

I thought I'd sell my car myself on Autotrader....that way I'll get a better price. I know it's a hassle but it's probably worth it isn't it?
My best mate had an Audi A3 diesel that went like the clappers, did 250,000 miles with very few problems and didn't use much fuel at all.
Just checked on Autotrader...those ones you mentioned are all MILES from me....though one of them in particular has caught my eye - bright red! it's gorgeous!

Yes, you'd get a better deal all round if you do that. Get the car a good valet, make sure theres long MOT on it, then stick it on autotrader, pistonheads (free), gumtree (free) and any other freebie sites you can think of.

Yes, be prepared to travel for a good car at the right price.