To change or not to change?

Lucy_Lastic

I have had a 2004 Honda Jazz for just almost 5 years now. No problems with it at all. It has now done 97,700 miles.

There are some chips on the paintwork that need fixing, it needs 4 new tyres and there are some "advisory" remarks from the last MOT (June). From memory they were concerning a wheel bearing and something else.

I am trying to decide if I should part ex for another Honda Jazz. The newer vehicle is 2009 reg with 44,000 miles and is the same spec as mine. I would need to find £5,500 to do this.

I have the money in an ISA, but am not sure what to do.

The newer car is priced at £6990 and is being sold by a garage (not dealer).

Any ideas/advice?

No other car recommendations please. I know what I want!

bluesnake

you have no history and do not know how the newer car has been treated. It may go fault in 1 week or 10 years.

your existing car probably costs much less than £6990 to repair and older it gets less it depreciates.

from cargiant you can get a 2009 with around 27000 miles for £6500 - depending on the model, so a 44000 is not really a bargain either.

Lucy_Lastic

What do you mean by "you have no history?" The newer car has had one owner from new and full service history by local Honda dealer.

Will look at cargiants.

Lucy_Lastic

Just had a look at Cargiant. They are in London, I am in Dorset. Not a huge distance I know, but I would rather deal within a 50 mile radius as there will be at least 2 trips involved and that's if the car is the right one. I never buy on the spot.

Horizon81

Should you spend 5 grand changing your beloved 2004 Jazz for a 2009 model. No! Buy the 4 new tyres for your car, sort the stone chips yourself using a touch up pot, and decide how urgent the wheel bearing is.
You've had 5 years of trouble free motoring with your car. All cars need the odd part here and there with age and your wheel bearing is nothing out of the ordinary. You're obviously happy with the size of your current car so have no real need to change model. With regular servicing and attention there's no reason why you can't get another 5 years out of it. I can't understand why people want to get rid of a car that meets their needs perfectly, has been reliable but is 'getting on a bit'.

What Bluesnake means is you know nothing about how the 2009 Jazz has been treated. It may be ok but it may have been accident damaged, revved within an inch of its life etc. At least you know your car has served you well. 'Better the devil you know' springs to mind.
Keep your 5 grand in the ISA!

bluesnake

Lucy_Lastic wrote: »

What do you mean by "you have no history?"

That car could have done 40000 of london miles being driven by traffic light racer over speed bumps, used for service calls. It could also be a person just doing a 30 mile trip to work on the motorway. When i was doing field service the "Dukes of Hazzard" were mild in comparrison to how we engineers treated our cars. We even had a 'who could kill the pool Fiesta' contest.

You could be buying somebody else's problems. With your car and its history, you have no hidden surprises.

if the engine goes on your exiting car you would loose £1500?, but on your newer one would make it virtually worthless too.

I would not think car giant is the cheapest either, but their prices do hover around the going rate.

Get you exiting car fixed and pocket the £5000:)

Lucy_Lastic

Thanks for your views. The 2009 car has had one (lady, not that that should make a difference) owner who lives in Wiltshire and it comes with full service history from a local Honda dealer. So I would not call it an unknown quantity any more than my car present car was when I bought it 5 years ago.

However, I take the point that it would cost me far less to get mine fixed. I just wondered if it was worth spending say £1000 or so on a car that is worth only £1500?

worried_jim

Don't waste your money- stick with what you have till the day it goes no more.

Lucy_Lastic

Seems like a landslide victory for the "save your money" camp!

Thank you for your thoughts. It's always good to get opinions.

Strider590

People generally either sell cars because they're 6 months old and the neighbours just bought the latest reg OR there's a list of problems with the vehicle (as in your case).
You don't want to be buying someone else's problems......

wba31

On a Honda I would argue it's worth repairing wear and tear parts to keep it. I just sold my old man my 2004 diesel civic with 140k miles on the clock, and all the work its ever had is wear and tear bits (tyres, 1 wheel bearing). he'll keep that car until it wont work anymore...