Wish we could get rid of 2nd car!!!

Lum

You can cram 3 adults into the back of a Fiesta or Focus sized car, but if the Galaxy is still serving you well, swapping it for a smaller car comes with the risk of you buying someone else's unwanted heap of trouble, in exchange for slightly higher MPG.

Alias_Omega

Swaps you a 54 Plate Ford Mondeo ST (2.2 TDCI) with 152,000miles and still going strong for the Galaxy..

The mondeo is just not big enough..

However, I also wish we could get rid of the 2nd car, as Mrs AO just drives it everywhere when she could easily get the bus/walk.

Its not a struggle on the single wage, but it would certainly free up some £££ each month... them 225/45/18 tyres are expensive..

oliverr

What's your budget for the second car, roughly if you don't mind me asking? The Galaxy will probably seem like its costing you an arm and a leg but the reality is that it will be cheaper to keep it than to buy a new car (by new I mean most things that aren't an old banger). Keep it until it starts coming back with expensive expensive repair bills but it sounds fine at the moment.

The Ka on the other hand... it's going to go at some point, its just up to you whether you want to replace it sooner or later. Replace it sooner and selling it privately with a years MOT is more appealing to buyers and you might get a bit more cash or wait longer until it's died and get less cash, but then you might have saved up a bit more. It's up to you.

Still not sure on your budget but have a look on Autotrader in your area to see what you can get for your money. Something Fiesta or Polo sized sounds about right for a second car.

Anoneemoose

Mr Anon was looking at the mondeo for when the Ka dies but that would mean having 2 big cars and obviously that won't be cost effective.

I am afraid I will have to pass on the offer A_O. Galaxy is still great and very useful when we go on hols! And as my pa in law says "better the devil you know"! We also still have the 2 car seats so the size of the galaxy is ideal. I have to admit, it is also much easier for me due to the Fibro - it means I don't have to bend down to do the small Anons' seat belts and the odd time I have had to do that in the Ka has been comedy gold!!

Anoneemoose

oliverr wrote: »

What's your budget for the second car, roughly if you don't mind me asking? The Galaxy will probably seem like its costing you an arm and a leg but the reality is that it will be cheaper to keep it than to buy a new car (by new I mean most things that aren't an old banger). Keep it until it starts coming back with expensive expensive repair bills but it sounds fine at the moment.

The Ka on the other hand... it's going to go at some point, its just up to you whether you want to replace it sooner or later. Replace it sooner and selling it privately with a years MOT is more appealing to buyers and you might get a bit more cash or wait longer until it's died and get less cash, but then you might have saved up a bit more. It's up to you.

Still not sure on your budget but have a look on Autotrader in your area to see what you can get for your money. Something Fiesta or Polo sized sounds about right for a second car.

I thought fiesta or polo too. I had a t reg polo for years and that served me well too. The Ka was the replacement for that. Not sure about budget yet. Now that the Ka is through her test, we shall probably wait until spring as that means bonus time. Mr Anon keeps on about having a newer big car but I just can't help thinking my 'bus' should stay.

bluesnake

May i suggest that one or both of you get a better paying job, or go for a more managerial role. Possible then you could even get a new Galaxy?

Lum

These days many folk are lucky to have a job, especially when Fibro is involved as this one inconveniences employers but it not visible, leading to accusations of faking it, or attempts to ding you on stuff like timekeeping.

Anoneemoose

bluesnake wrote: »

May i suggest that one or both of you get a better paying job, or go for a more managerial role. Possible then you could even get a new Galaxy?

Thanks for the pointer, I think.

Mr Anon has just recently applied for a managerial role and was unsuccesful. I am currently off sick due to my Fibro/ME. Luckily my company are supportive (for now at least).

I am not so bothered about having a new galaxy (or a new anything for that matter) but my point was if we did for example, get a mondeo, as Mr Anon suggests, we would end up with 2 big cars which is not going to be cost effective ( I don't think). And as our galaxy is still going strong (touch wood), I don't really want to get rid of it.

Anoneemoose

Lum wrote: »

These days many folk are lucky to have a job, especially when Fibro is involved as this one inconveniences employers but it not visible, leading to accusations of faking it, or attempts to ding you on stuff like timekeeping.

Thanks for this. It can be a pain when people think you look ok but you're not!

MEM62

If the distance allows, a bicycle would seem the to be the best option. However, if the distance is too far to cycle then a small motorcycle or scooter would be ideal.