Mortgage-Free Fresian? Here's hoping!

ShelleyC_2

Whilst car shopping sounds fun and more essential I did have weep that the Handbag of Wonder fund is going to be significantly reduced

I like the cute little cars but having been driving big growly monster cars for last 7 years and feel very unsafe in anything smaller even though I pay the huge road tax and drive a handful of miles to the gallon :eek:

saorsie

beanielou wrote: »

Im getting a Toyota I.Q. very soon.
Its very green.
Happy car shopping

Ooooh that's what I recently traded my gas guzzler in for ~ they are lovely and surprisingly spacious. I feel your pain Flyin' ~ thought long and hard before taking the plunge to change cars as couldn't necessarily afford to do so however on the other hand I couldn't really afford not to as the GG was costing a fortune Don't regret it but am still frantically trying to balance the books as you are no doubt aware from the beloved PaD thread;)

-s-

yukkibear

Car shopping is exciting, hope you've found one at a reasonable price today.

Footiemad_2

Good luck FF I hope you have had some success or at least got lots of ideas.

Hope you head isnt aching from number crunching though. I think you said you were at the piccies tonight so hope you enjoy yourself chick.

mooomin

ShelleyC wrote: »

I like the cute little cars but having been driving big growly monster cars for last 7 years and feel very unsafe in anything smaller even though I pay the huge road tax and drive a handful of miles to the gallon :eek:

I had a play about in the Swift today (test drive is tomorrow) and it doesn't feel like it's a wee car. It has seven airbags too, which makes me feel very safe

Footiemad wrote: »

Good luck FF I hope you have had some success or at least got lots of ideas.

Hope you head isnt aching from number crunching though. I think you said you were at the piccies tonight so hope you enjoy yourself chick.

Had a lot of fun looking at cars today, but have a lot of things to consider. I love one which is £8,000 but I think that's too much (although as it's pre-registered it's £2,500 cheaper than buying it brand spanky new...and it's only got 65 miles on the clock :rotfl:)

The cinema was good fun, and I'm pleased I've seen the last Potter film now. It's going to be odd going to see a film without wizards the next time I go!

yukkibear wrote: »

Car shopping is exciting, hope you've found one at a reasonable price today.

I've found a couple. One noted above which is pricey, another which is 3 years old with 25,000 miles on it for around £5,000. It's a lot of money and a lot of thinking to do. Also, tomorrow morning I have the fun of insurance searching :eek:

MatyMoo

Don't forget to take in to account servicing intervals when working out costs. For example the Clio petrol is every 18,000 but the diesel is 12,000.

Also, how long is the warranty. I know Kia are now 7 years and Renault are 3 years.

A pre-reg with 65 miles and 3 year manufacturers warranty may be better value than a three year old car with 25,000 miles and a one year limited dealer warranty.

Sorry, bit of a car nut!

gallygirl

Fiat's are the kings when it comes to servicing. My Bravo is coming up to its' 3rd - at 65,000 miles!

mooomin

flying_fresian wrote: »

My current SOA is as follows:

Monthly income: £1180

Outgoings:

Mortgage: £213
Council tax: £135
Union: £9
My mobile: £36 with another 15 months left on my contract *d'oh*
Mr F's mobile: £16
Gas/electric: £60
TV Licence: £12
Home insurance: £16
Bus pass: £45
Virgin Media: £35
Entertainment: £50 for my nights out
Christmas/Birthdays: £30
Groceries: £210 to feed me, Mr Fresian and two fat, old cats
Car fund: £50 to cover MOT and tax

Total: £917

The above was my rough SOA when I started this diary. Here's the accurate one:

Income:

Wages - £1180
Rewards on current account - £15
Rent - £300
Total - £1495

Outgoings:

Mortgage: £213.08
Council tax: £135
Union: £8.80
My mobile: £37
Mr F's mobile: £17
Gas/electric: £60
TV Licence: £12.37
Home insurance: £15.95
Virgin Media: £35
Current account fee: £7.50
Entertainment: £50
Christmas/Birthdays: £30
Groceries: £200
Car expenses: £50 (rough figure)
Loan payment: £100

Total outgoings: £971.70

Total surplus: £523.30 (If I get rent money, £223.30 if not)

From the looks of it, as long as I keep the monthly loan payment to £100 or less then buying a car is affordable. What is becoming clear is that buying a really expensive car won't be affordable Can anyone see anything that I might have forgotten??

I've removed my bus pass and have kept the monthly amount for the car the same. I already have £250 in an account for the MOT/Tax for the current banger, and would add to that as and when I can. The guy in the dealership yesterday was going to tax it for a year and MOT it, so I wouldn't have to add to that fund for a wee while and it's going to take a bit of time to figure out how much the new car is costing to run.

mooomin

Common sense may have gone out of the window the second I met a Fiat 500 today. Pre-owned with only 17,000 miles on it, and lovely.

I've put a deposit down of £100 (refundable) while I do maths and figure out insurance costs and finance costs, but it may well be mine by the weekend :j

In further good news, I've also redeemed a £5 Amazon voucher from Swagbucks this morning. Good times all round

linz

Ooooh I think Fiat 500's are lovely too. I think i'm gonna make that my next car as well

Make sure you use confused.com and go compare thru TCB for your insurance comparisons, for £1/£1.50 (i think). Every little helps.

How old is the car ? If it's over 3 years and ready to need MOT's there are places doing offers for half price; I got my MOT done recently at Formula1 Autocentres, for £24 half price offer they had if you booked online at the time. If yr cars not that old yet then worth knowing for the future. Blackcircles for tyres too.

(I'm now at 248 on Swagbucks btw)