When do I replace?

MilneBay

Hi
I’m looking for some advice about when is the best time to trade in a newish car.
Thanks to the scrappage scheme I managed to swap my absolute rust bucked of a Ford Ka for a 2009 Fiat Panda.
I love the Panda (not cool I know!) – it holds a surprising amount of camping gear for a small car and despite its little engine (1.1) copes well with a 65 mile round commute each day and is really economical.
It has now done 35,000 miles and before it reaches three years old (and the end of the warranty) in June I was planning to upgrade for another new one.
I never planned to buy a new car but scrappage meant it was too good an option to turn down. I’m now wary of letting the car depreciate too much and having to find a lot to get something decent when the time does come to replace.
Also, I live on the north-east coast of Scotland very close to the sea so a new car has been a god send as my last one cost an absolute fortune in welding due to the early onset of rust.
I had just planned to replace like with like but I notice there is a new Fiat Panda due out in Spring 2012 and the estimated £8k price tag seems to be quite a hike.
Do you think it would be wise to look to get a (new) old-style model before the new registration comes in? Do dealers tend to offer better discounts when a new style is due out? If so when is the best time to buy?
I guess this would also make a difference when I come to sell but I’m not sure people buying a Panda really do so for the look?
Sorry if these are obvious questions but I have very little knowledge of new car buying!
Thanks
MB

rodenal

Might be completely wrong but I thought they had stopped making the old(current) panda for now? If it's still being made then buying one just before the new model comes out might be a good idea as you'll get a substantial discount, plus any niggling faults with the model in general should have been sorted out.

It might be worthwhile seeing what discount you can get on the 2012 panda too, often if you wait all of 2/3 months from when a model is released (particularly a "non desireable" car) reasonable deals are on offer.

Strider590

You do realise that car prices went up to compensate for the scrappage scheme?
So many people got sucked in by all that :<

IMO, if you current car is good/reliable, you'd need more money than common sense to go buy another one.

grizzly1911

Strider590 wrote: »

You do realise that car prices went up to compensate for the scrappage scheme?
So many people got sucked in by all that :<

IMO, if you current car is good/reliable, you'd need more money than common sense to go buy another one.

+1 until the cost of keeping it on the road is outstripping the "sensible" replacement cost.

MilneBay

Perhaps if your car was worth anything at resale but mine went on the back of an AA truck with no handbrake, broken suspension, stuck back disc breaks and a steering column making grinding noises (not to mention the serious amound of welding holding the thing together!)

I have considered keeping my Panda and running it until it dies. Bit torn as to what to do.

As I say, I was never keen on the idea of a new car and without scrappage wouldn't have got one (really can't complain at under 5k for a brand new car with service plan thrown in) but having had one I can see the benefit.
I've spent less than £100 on it for standard wear and tear (tyres/ break pads) in two years. Was regularly shelling out for bit MOT/garage costs before.

I live in a very unfriendly climate and drive almost 35miles a day each way to work on roads you don't want to break down on!

Appreciate anyone's thoughts on my options

MB

johnnyreggae

"I love the Panda (not cool I know!) – it holds a surprising amount of camping gear for a small car and despite its little engine (1.1) copes well with a 65 mile round commute each day and is really economical. "

Most cars these days are designed to last more than three years

I can see no reason for you to change until repair bills become excessive which could be more than ten years from now

If they offer you a fourth year warranty for a couple of hundred quid that might give you peace of mind and stop you wasting several thousand on a new car - alternatively get a decent RAC/AA just in case

fivetide

Sometimes.... better the devil you know.

given the miles on it (massive for a car like that really) and the fact it hasn't cost you anything, plus you've maitained it and you know how it has been driven, and it does everything you need it to, I'd keep it until it looks like the Ka you weighed in. If you are worried about breaking down, look at cheap breakdown cover but sounds like the car you have is fine for now.

5t.