Car for intermittent use

NeverAgain_2

How about an electric car?

It would stand being laid up better than a petrol or diesel, although there would still be the problems of brakes sticking.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201108380694651/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/electric/page/1/postcode/nn168lq/radius/1501?logcode=p

bodmil

I appreciate the suggestions, there's a lot more options out there than one realises. I know it's going to cost me more. I've survived a year without, I know the benefit to my pocket, but now I want a car to be available as my own. I just want to avoid it breaking down if I can.

I will definitely look into the battery saving thingies. Unfortunately I live on a hill so can't do anything about the handbrake.

Perhaps it is better to go for an older, cheaper car if breakdowns are inevitable.

natlol

I have a similar situation where I dont use my car for up to three months at a time.

I brought my car when it was 9 months old and it is now nearly 9 years old. It still has the original brakes, exhaust, battery etc. For the first three years I had it dealer serviced and since then at the independant. I have not done anything special to keep it in good condition except service it. It had to be jump started last week after being left unused for 2 months so I may need a new battery sooner rather then later. Its also kept outside in the cold lol. Other wise it has been fantastic....

What is it? A Fiesta MK6 1.4 Petrol. You cant really go wrong. Has cost me peanuts in maintenance just had to add fuel.

bengalknights

Kia or Hyundai with there long warrantys may be ideal for you as there fairly cheap.

maxheadroom

If I were you I'd get a 10-12yr old car for 600 to 1000 with a years MOT on it. (something like a dawoo lanos, can get old shape subaru legacy, volvo for this kind of money - not ford rust bucket). likley to be reliable and even if you bin it at the end of the year if major failure on mot then this should still be less in depreciation terms than a newer car.

The vuneralble components will age just as much on this a s a newer one - perhaps less so as less electical drain so quicker to recharge batt on short run.

Get a maintenance charger as above

getmore4less

bodmil wrote: »

I appreciate the suggestions, there's a lot more options out there than one realises. I know it's going to cost me more. I've survived a year without, I know the benefit to my pocket, but now I want a car to be available as my own. I just want to avoid it breaking down if I can.

I will definitely look into the battery saving thingies. Unfortunately I live on a hill so can't do anything about the handbrake.

Perhaps it is better to go for an older, cheaper car if breakdowns are inevitable.

I know what you mean we have 2 cars just because it is so handy, it would be cheaper with one or none.

Is there anyone that works opposite you where you could share a car?
different other issues.

How much could you go to on cost, perhaps a low mileage contract hire.

If you do get something a bit smarter have a look at storage or even garage rental, storing on a hill is not good.

As has been said bangernomics might be a solution if it is a few breaks a year, allthough insurance gets messy, just change more often before and after you go away or if they break.

Just watch the age for any breakdown over you have.

what sort of pattern(home/away) do you have over a typical year?

what about something fun when at home.
(noticed the sig, so cost looks like a non issue)

Make sure when you move you have proper car storage

cte1111

I was in a similar situation and I bought an old Fiesta which suited me fine. It is worth investing in a battery charger or one of the clever devices that people have mentioned on here. If you get a car that is already old, then at least you are not losing out on depreciation.

birkee

NeverAgain wrote: »

How about an electric car?

It would stand being laid up better than a petrol or diesel, although there would still be the problems of brakes sticking.

You won't BELIEVE how many battery problems you'll get then!

birkee

natlol seems to have been lucky.....
A common problem is the tyres developing flats from contact with the ground. The car will drum like mad when driving it afterwards.
This is very time and weather dependant, and possibly tyre type too.
The OLD recommendation was jacking the wheels off the ground before leaving it, so the tyres stay round.... Something to live with, is a fast drive afterwards, to get the tyres hot, and this sometimes cures it.
One I have come across in my time, is a clutch plate that welded itself to the flywheel. (Hillman Imp, so going back a bit.) This exploded when the car was next operated. Perhaps depends on the car type.

Definitely need a solar charger on the battery though. If it drops below 10.5V or less, it's almost a certainly a write off. (Ex Battery Test Laboratory Engineer)
I know!......For all you out there that recharged YOURS alright, but I bet you haven't tested the amper hour capacity afterwards. What does it give you now? Three car starts and it's flat again? Left for ONE week now, and it's flat again? I would guess chance of recovery at about 2%, depending on HOW flat it had got.