Changing car - not sure what to do, need advice

cottyh24

I currently have an 09 plate Seat Ibiza 1.2 engine (my driving is mainly city so I don't need a bigger engine, and this also keeps insurance costs down) and am coming to the end of my 3 year pcp deal. I do love my car but have been a bit put off Seat as each time I've been into the dealer people have been moaning about their cars requiring expensive work just after the warranty has run out. If I want to keep the car I have to stump up £4,600 ish, I can hand it back (it only has 10,700 miles on it and Parkers indicates it is worth more than the value put on it by Seat so I'd be daft to do this) or part ex.

Weighing this all up I'm looking to part ex and have just been to test drive a couple of cars - a Fiat 500 and a Ford Fiesta, both 11 plates with approx 10,000 miles. The 500 was like driving a noddy car so I have discounted that straight away, but the fiesta was actually nice to drive. I have a couple of concerns though; I have read about paint problems on new fords and also the dealer, Stoneacre, doesn't seem to get glowing reviews.

Does anyone have experience of either (good or bad) so I can make a more informed decison? I am open to other cars too and will probably test drive a few more before I make a final decision but I'm really not sure what to do. Thanks.

adamc260

I have a 2011 Fiesta Titanium 1.4 petrol... very nice car and quite spacious inside (I'm 6'3 and struggle in most small cars for legroom but it's one of the few cars I have to bring the seat forward quite a few clicks as it goes so far back!)

Very comfortable, lots of toys and I average 45mpg on my daily commute which is a mix of some motorway, slowish dual carriageway and city crawl. Would recommend.

My local ford dealer aren't the best but I've kinda realised most car dealerships are like that... Except Toyota

getmore4less

<4000 miles a year,

depreciation dwarfs all the other costs.

What was your cost breakdown for the last 3 years.

Do you care

Look at auto trader for asking prices they seem to be around £6k but will depend on spec

Look at the Fabia

To save money look at a high mileage, even consider bigger, and bring the average down through your ownership.

cottyh24

getmore4less wrote: »

<4000 miles a year,

depreciation dwarfs all the other costs.

What was your cost breakdown for the last 3 years.

Do you care

Look at auto trader for asking prices they seem to be around £6k but will depend on spec

Look at the Fabia

To save money look at a high mileage, even consider bigger, and bring the average down through your ownership.

As I park on street and sometimes have very little space, a bigger car is not an option- not to mention the increased running costs associated with a bigger car. I've not decided what car I will get but it will be a small-ish hatchback.

I currently pay £200 per month and want to bring that down, hence looking at pre-registered or low mileage 11 reg cars. That way I get a couple of years warranty but can get some much better deals than a new car. The fiesta was £8995 which I think is too high but I will haggle. Much will depend on how much they offer me for the Seat. I'm not afraid of walking away if the deal isn't right, after all the dealer needs me more than I need them, especially at the moment when car sales are down.

getmore4less

Why go for low mileage if it is in warenty and you only going to put 10k on in 3 years.

at £6 a gallon 10k 40mpg is £1500, 50mpg is £1200 etc.

The cost and depreciation dwarf the economy tax insurance issues.

£200pm has cost you £7200 (was there an up front payment?)
you might squeese £1k from the sale over the balloon.
Modern car long life service £200 for just one 10k in 3 years.

So £2k a year


have a brows at new deals before you comit to second hand

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/best-deals/new/

fiesta for £8k
http://www.perrys.co.uk/ford-fiesta-1.25-studio-3-door/new-and-delivery-mileage/offer-194034?referring_site=hj

cottyh24

I traded in my previous car which again was on a pcp deal and I only got £800 ish over settlement figure which was the deposit. I've now come to the realisation that paying continually for a car is daft and I should get a car I can keep for longer than 3 years. I just want it to be the right car, with as few maintenance issues as possible, hence low mileage being preferable to a higher mileage car. Also (and I realise this may sound really girly) I want it to look nice. That's one of the things I like about the Ibiza and why I went for it over the Polo (as well as the cost difference).

getmore4less

Low mileage just means all the part are part worn.

Go up a notch so tyres, brakes have been done once recently or you can get the dealer to change, higher mileage will have likely shown up any issues under warrenty.

Are you convinced the car you have is not keeper?
What does the extended warrenty cost?

Probably best sold private once you have a trade in assuming it is mint.

Remember the nice looking cars also tend to be higher insurance it's not just engine size.

Look at total cost.

arrowsmith

>>>The cost and depreciation dwarf the economy tax insurance issues.

Absolutely correct, therefore don't spend that much in the first place. Don't listen to the motoring press that give you a percentage figure, most cars that keep the most in percentage terms, cost you the most in cash terms

I'd recommend the Hyundai i10 or i20, the i10 is regarded by many as the best small car in class. The i20 a resonable car that is very well priced. The new Kia Picanto is great too. Oh Mazda 2 is a good buy at the moment at under 9k too.

I liked the Fiesta, but they're being refreshed soon and having new petrol engines. The current crop don't have the best fuel economy and higher than average C02.

If you want long term reliability avoid anything by VW group (VW, Skoda, Audi or Seat)

forgotmyname

Dont buy the Ibiza for £4600, In reality you sill struggle to get that much back.

I dont do many miles a year and always buy something with 100,000+ miles, Under 5 years old for approx £2000.

It will easily last another 5 years with general servicing and saves a fortune of buying a newer car.

If you did a larger mileage it may not work but with a low mileage car it works in your favour. When you come to sell it will have average mileage.

Ive seen a 3 year old car for sale the other day £3000..... So tempted but maybe 190k miles it a bit much even for me.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Those other customers moaning about expensive out of warranty i'd wager haven't done only 10k miles in three years.

Your car if its been driven and looked after well, and you are in the position to know, would make a very good long term bet, any other used car you won't know how its been driven or where..

I'd be inclined to buy it, and i 'd also be inclined to see how much a genuine Seat extended warranty would cost for peace of mind, don't even think about an aftermarket warranty unless you like expensive bog roll.

If the extended is too expensive on balance, find yourself a well recommended VW group specialist indy workshops, i expect a quite expensive service is due soon despite the low mileage, make enquiries about that it might sway your choice to stay with Seat servicing, which would be best for goodwill if you get the genuine extended warranty..

agrinnall

Do you actually need a car of your own at all? Is there a City Car Club where you live so that you'd have access to one when needed? If you do the maths you might even find that getting taxis around town and hiring for longer journeys is cheaper overall then running a car.