To replace or not replace my car - Help!

purplephoenix

Apologies if there is a thread on this subject, I couldn't find one - please feel free to point me in the right direction if there is.

I just want some advice really from anyone with some car knowledge. My issue is this. I have a 2003 Peugeot 206 2.0 Hdi. Its done 105,000miles. As with any car this age, its been needing some tlc, some of it quite expensive (latest list of fixes will be a total of £600, £130 of which I've already had done, on top of various other bits and pieces this year). The garage (who also sources used cars for customers) thinks I should replace it, spending £600 isn't worth it, but that due to its high mileage I'll only get £1000 part ex. I only have £3000 cash to add to the part ex, so £4000 in total

Have chatted to a friend this weekend, who feels that I shouldn't replace it - the cost at the garage is for normal wear and tear, not anything else, the engine and body is sound, and its a pretty economical car to run (and I love the car). Plus, £1000 is a low estimate, and the car isn't high mileage for its age with it being a diesel. With only £4000 to spend, I'm not going to get anything much better, so it would make more sense to get the fixes done, over a few months, so the car runs for another year or two, and save more money to replace it. The garage is basically just trying to make a sale.

So my question is two-fold I suppose:
1. Is my friend right?
2. At what point does the spend on a car become critical to the point of it being more cost effective to replace it.

I know these are quite general questions, but any advice would be very gratefully received. I'm not a car person - I know nothing about them as I really don't know what to do for the best.

thank you in advance.

poppasmurf_bewdley

I gave my 2000W Astra to my two kids last year for them to use as their first car. It's done 110k and has always been an extremely reliable car and had very little work done on it in the time I'd had it. We'll keep it until its no longer cost effective.

For your Peugot, it's £600 against 4K. There's no alternative. Keep the car. £4k will not necessarily buy you a good used car that's more reliable than your present one.

getmore4less

Other than normal annual/2year service costs

What else is in the £600?

What else has been replaced over the last few years?

What is coming up, exhaust, tyres, brakes, suspension?

I would think that it is still worth keeping for a year or two unless somthing big goes.

maxheadroom

Thats just run it.

We have 3 cars in family, all are petrols - the newest has 135000, the middle 209000 and the eldest 311000 and thats miles.

None need oil topping up between services (which i DIY at around 7-10k), all will have routine maintenance until something big goes. They owe me nothing and more importanntly i know the history and that theres no bodge jobs been done to pass on the the next owner.

Keep the 306

mcjordi

pfft just broken in..

Keep it..
as with another post whats the £600 for?

missile

Ask a.n.other garage to quote for repairs.

victor2

I got rid of a 2000 Pug 206 last year as I could see big bills coming. It was low mileage and well maintained, but was showing signs of the following upcoming problems...
Front shocks were beginning to mist up, would have to be replaced as a pair.
It had died on me with total electrical failure due to an earth fault in the instrument display - fixed for £100 but the garage who fixed it said it could go again in a few months and that would need a whole new instrument module and be expensive.
When I part-exchanged it, the indicator stalk was showing signs of a common Pug fault, where instead of self cancelling, it over corrects and switches the indicators on for the opposite direction. Again, an expensive fix.

However, often the devil you know as they say. If there's no suggestion of major issues coming, that mileage is acceptable and you could decide to just run it until it dies.

property.advert

£4000 would get you a 3 year old Astra with less than 20,000 on the clock or a 4 year old Focus with similar mileage.

Not diesels but it depends on your mileage.

purplephoenix

Thanks for all the responses. To clarify the £600 is for:
1. NSF lower suspension arm (done as car was dangerous otherwise)
2. Rear exhaust silencer blowing
3. Annual service
4. Slight play in steering rack
5. Rear brake shoes worn
6. Front tyres wearing on inside edges (not imminent but will need.doing)
7. Check front tracking

Which is all pretty 'wear and tear' really. I've had cambelt changed, abs fault fixed, mot in last 6-12 mths (off top of my head).

LandyAndy

I'd keep it.

The mileage is still quite low and at least you know what is wrong with it.

rictus123

Stick with it another year. Its £600 against £4k, as above.