Car Dilemma...

jmc160

Hi all!
I've been using this site like the clappers for a few months now, so thought I'd post my dilemma for some impartial advice.

A couple of months ago, I bought a fantastic car at an absolute bargain price. It was a great find, as it's quite big, very spacious and very safe. This was aspecially important as the car arrived about a week before my son did!

Anyway, at the moment it's costing quite a lot more in petrol than I'm comfortable with, although I'm yet to work out if that's because I'm driving more, and just before getting it, I lost my no claims bonus, so at next renewal, I'm expecting to get stung as it's a big powerful car.

Given the condition of the car and the circumstances in which I bought it, I could make quite a profit if I sold it and could get a cheaper to buy, cheaper to run car and have enough left over to get my wife her first run-around when she passes her test. Maybe even with enough left over for our hol next year.

I'm very tempted by this, but in the back of my mind, I keep thinking insurance will get cheaper again when I start to rebuild my no-claims, and maybe changing my driving habits could make the fuel go a bit further (I could also walk to local places rather than drive!) I also feel very safe in it, and I'm confident driving my family around in safety and comfort.

I should also add I'm extremely proud of this car, as I bought it with the bank charges I claimed back from the bank after my first visit to this site - it's the one thing I have to show for six years of debt and hardship!

So... Would you keep it or sell it?

Keith

Depends on the car really and how much it cost.

If you can sell and make a profit, I'd get rid now, buy something cheaper and just as special, whilst also paying for your next holiday.

Otherwise I'd suggest doing what I'm doing and going to an insurer such as Ecar who provide a years NCB after 8 months, a fantastic way to bring down insurance costs!

jmc160

Sorry, forgot to put that in - it's a 2000(V) Saab 9-3S Turbo Auto (LPT)
It cost £2000. In my area, I could possibly get up to about £3500-£4000 for it.

david29dpo

i had this dilemma once. i sold and always regretted it. life's to short to worry about things you didn't do.

110frankie

if it's petrol why not look at fitting LPG - I pay 36p a litre which makes owning a Range Rover worthwhile :-)
Also, change your driving habits, think economy whenever you are driving.
Have a google under fuel economy, you will be amazed at things, like tyre pressures, that make a difference.
Have an engine tune, this can make a huge difference to fuel consumption.

DON'T change your car, it's a classic that will do you sterling service for many years and it's your reward for getting your life together debtwise.

jmc160

Hi, thanks for the replies. I appreciate other people's views on this.

Well, I've been mulling it over for as long as I can stand to, and I've decided that the best thing I can do is sell the car.

While it's something I really don't want to do, I have too much other stuff to pay for, what with the hefty mortgage and the fact my wife has stopped working to look after our son.

I also lost my no-claims discount shortly before I bought this car so my insurance will go through the roof at renewal. I just can't justify spending that much on insurance/petrol when there's ways to reduce the cost. My commute isn't quite long enough to warrant a 2.0L turbo.

So the plan at the moment is to sell it for as much as I can get, then get another good family car, but with a more economical engine and lower insurance group. I might even look for the diesel version of this one!

But as soon as it's financially possible, I will definitely get another Saab!!

jmc160

110frankie, LPG sounds like a great idea and could save me a fortune, but it looks loke it's gonna cost about £1850 to fit it, and I just don't have that kind of money to spare.

The other problem is I imagine the gas tank goes in the boot? And we need the boot space for all the baby's stuff.

I'll get some more quotes before I rule it out though.

zappahey

jmc160 wrote: »

Sorry, forgot to put that in - it's a 2000(V) Saab 9-3S Turbo Auto (LPT)
It cost £2000. In my area, I could possibly get up to about £3500-£4000 for it.

Well, in my opinion, since it's a SAAB you really must keep it. I may, of course, be slightly biased since I haven't driven anything else for years

plane_boy2000

Just had a look at glass's guide, and the part ex price for it with 70,000 miles (avererage for the age) is between 2 and 2.5K so you may get a bit more in a private sale, but 3.5 - 4K sounds optimistic. You can always advertise it and see what happens

jmc160

Just had a look at glass's guide, and the part ex price for it with 70,000 miles (avererage for the age) is between 2 and 2.5K so you may get a bit more in a private sale, but 3.5 - 4K sounds optimistic. You can always advertise it and see what happens

Yes I realised some time after that I was looking at higher spec models. By looking at the prices in my local Auto Trader, I've worked it out to be about 3k, so I figured I'd advertise it at about £3,300.

natanddan1

jmc160 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the replies. I appreciate other people's views on this.



I also lost my no-claims discount shortly before I bought this car so my insurance will go through the roof at renewal. I just can't justify spending that much on insurance/petrol when there's ways to reduce the cost. My commute isn't quite long enough to warrant a 2.0L turbo.


If you lost your no claims bonus before you bought the car how come the insurance wasn,t sky high when you insured the saab? You did tell your insurance the reason you lost the bonus didnt you?