Should I replace my car?

wannabee_in_credit

Hi all,
Wanted some impartial advice from those of you wiser than me on whether or not to replace my car.
For the past 5 years I've been driving on 05 plate Ford Focus. It has just gone past 80000 miles (30000 when I bought it). I've kept it fully serviced at my local garage (who I trust) and have only had a couple of problems with it over the years. One caused by leaking windscreen washers letting water into the engine needing a couple of new coil packs and plugs (took me a while to figure out where the water was coming from), and a replacement heating matrix just before Christmas a couple of years ago. Last service it had some gasket replaced (rocket cover?) on the engine.

It's never really let me down, but I am starting to worry about how many miles it has on it now and if it's going to start costing me a lot in repairs. It has a clunk when I brake, which nobody can find the cause for, and a slight noise when going into first gear but that's about it.

I do a 30 mile round trip each day to work and am utterly dependent on the car for work (public transport isn't an option here) - and we are a one car family.

I was at my mum's today and she offered to buy me a newer car if I want one (no strings - she's helped my sister get onto the property ladder recently and wants to do something for me if I want). Thing is, I'm not sure I need one - or do I? Is it getting to the point where I'm going to be paying more than the car is worth to keep it on the road? It costs me £35 a month insurance, £45 a week fuel and £170 a year tax.

My kids are a little older now so whilst I need a car that can fit 2 kids in the back, I had already decided that when I replace this car I'd like to downsize and find something a bit more economical and cheaper to keep on the road.

So my questions are:
1. Do I need a new car? Is the Focus going to start costing me money maintenance wise very soon?
2. If I do need a new car, what should I go for? Smaller than a focus but big enough for 2 kids to sit in the back. And cheaper to run.

I certainly don't want to spend money for the sake of spending.
Hope someone can help me - thanks...

stevenjhepburn

80,000 isn't the highest mileage in the world. My Golf is touching 120,000 and is going fine.

If I was in your position I would tell mum that you appreciate her offer and would like to take her up on it at some point in the future but for now you will stick with the Focus. Then get the brake noise investigated further and keep your ear on the gearbox.

Many frugal people would be looking to buy an 8 year old car with 80,000 miles on it and a good service history, not sell it!

So I would say run it until the expenses do become too much (say £1,000+ to pass an MOT) and be secure in the knowledge that if something does happen to it you can replace it with a newer one at fairly short notice. Get some breakdown cover with a hire car included if you are worried about getting to work short term should the worst happen.

wannabee_in_credit

Thanks.
My gut instinct is actually to hang onto it - I'm just paranoid about it letting me down. If it's still good to go at 80000 miles then that's fine by me.
I know nothing at all about cars so put all of my faith into the men at the local garage. They have looked at the car and can't figure out where the clunk is coming from but say it's nothing dangerous.

Hoof_Hearted

If you sold your car privately you would be looking at £2,000 max and less for p/x. It's not going to lose a lot more money. If you had to spend £500 on it and got two or three more years out of it, it still represents good value as you know it has been looked after. Son has a 2001 Focus which still drives beautifully and has only cost him a wheel bearing and the usual consumables in the last 5 years. They are good cars and seem to last.

forgotmyname

The cars i buy generally have around 120,000 - 130,000 miles on the clock.

80,000 miles is nothing. My old petrol Mondeo had 150,000 on it and still going. My current one has 160,000 miles on it.

Servicing is the key. Change that oil regularly. Oil change at 6 months and a full service each year.

wannabee_in_credit

Thanks all.
So, one more question. Someone at work keeps telling me I'm long overdue a clutch. That's not something you replace until it actually breaks though is it? (Yes, I am that clueless).
I know it's due a timing belt by 100000 miles, and I get anything that the blokes at the garage recommend in terms of repairs etc.

Strider590

If you keep on top of maintenance it'll be fine, it's when you hear a grinding noise, turn the radio up and then find out a year later that it was something minor that's now wrecked something major.

OddballJamie

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

If you sold your car privately you would be looking at £2,000 max and less for p/x. It's not going to lose a lot more money. If you had to spend £500 on it and got two or three more years out of it, it still represents good value as you know it has been looked after. Son has a 2001 Focus which still drives beautifully and has only cost him a wheel bearing and the usual consumables in the last 5 years. They are good cars and seem to last.

Bit random when you don't know the actual spec, engine or mark.

stevenjhepburn

wannabee_in_credit wrote: »

Thanks all.
So, one more question. Someone at work keeps telling me I'm long overdue a clutch. That's not something you replace until it actually breaks though is it? (Yes, I am that clueless).

If you drive well and don't ride the clutch there is no reason why the standard clutch won't last 100-150k+ miles. Someone who does abuse their clutch could have gone through 2 or 3 in 80k miles!

GAZ237

The timing belt may need replacing now.

You need to check as some are 100,000 or 5-6 years.

Whichever comes first.

80k is nothing for a car and Better the devil you know.

minibbb

I drive focuses at work (emergency services) and they don't half see a hard life!! We have them sometimes up to 140K or so on the original engine and they still drive well. Go through a turbo usually by that mileage mind you!

As said above, better the devil you know!

I drive a 110K miler atm and its fine