Trading in car for smaller more economical car...thoughts?

Kate.Trotter

So I have a 2008 Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX - £160 a year road tax, does around 300 miles to a tank which costs between £55-£60. I'm using around a tank and half to 2 tanks per month, and is mostly used on me getting to and from work and short journeys.

My partner has (although technically we both own it i guess!) a 2008 BMW 320D Msport 2.0 Diesel, £90 a year tax, great MPG for the quickness of the car, and we tend to take this on any long journeys, as not only does it look great and is comfortable, but costs a lot less than mine would - think we can get between 650-700 miles out of a tank, which is usually around £75. Probably not the most economical car in the world, but it's nice, so willing to keep this one!!!

I am considering trading mine in for a little 1 Litre run around, as it just seems silly that my car isn't very economical, and isn't used for much more than short trips. I've had a look and for the same amount as we could get for my car (around £4k) or even less, we can get a a much newer little 1 Litre run around, most would be 2010 or newer with not too many miles on. So this could be something like a Citroen C1, Peugeot 107, Toyota Aygo etc - might even be able to get a Fiat 500.

I do love my car, and it is actually quite nippy! But I do see much more sense in trading it in and paying £20 a year for tax and half as much petrol a month, and also the potential of repair and servicing costs reduced. My main concern is that if we do ever need to take it on a longer trip, dual carriage ways, motorways etc - what is the safety like in such small cars? I can't imagine much being left after an accident at high speeds? :eek: Also things such as road noise do worry me a bit? I realise I'm being quite picky - but I'm trying to convince myself this is a good idea and any advice/reassurance would be great!

Also does anyone have any preference between the above cars? Am I right in thinking the c1, 107 & Aygo are essentially the same chassis?

Thanks in advance!

Kate.Trotter

Ah also forgot to mention - because you can't put the seats down in the BMW, we tend to use mine for moving small furniture or any trips down to the tip.. not a massive loss but do any of these cars have folding seats??

facade

Take a look at the Fiat Panda.

these are economical, low VED, plenty of room in the back and feel a little bit less like you will die if you hit anything.

Dont bother with a Fiat 500, they are way overpriced as they are "popular/sort after" rather like a mini, and not too practical either.

Iceweasel

Best advice is go and have a test run in all of them.

I think you'll find that they are all quieter than your Suzuki.

Safety should be no more of an issue than with the Suzuki.

I agree the little Fiat is not so practical for carrying anything at all in the back.

I think you might have made a mistake with your mention of the VED for the BMW by the way - I don't think it's £90 a year.

egyptiancotton

Iceweasel wrote: »

I think you might have made a mistake with your mention of the VED for the BMW by the way - I don't think it's £90 a year.

I think it's £105 for 12 months.

Kate.Trotter

lloydyyy wrote: »

I think it's £105 for 12 months.

Ahh sorry it was probably £90 when we first got it, since gone up!

Thanks for all your advice

Andyt1981

I've owned a Fiat 500 and a Panda and both are great little cars. I managed about 50mpg in both without really trying (both had the 1.2 petrol engine).

The Panda is definitely more practical as the boot is a fair bit bigger, but the 500 was a great car and I really enjoyed driving it. A 500 would be more expensive to buy, but they are very easy to sell on. Ours went within 3 days.

forgotmyname

Fiat 500 owners have complained about the poor fuel consumption. You wont get anywhere near the quoted figures.

Do you really get 700 miles from a tank yet only put £75 in? To fill the tank could cost £90+ Average 55 - 60mpg?

Your forgetting depreciation also..... How many hundreds is it losing every year?

luvchocolate

Hyundai i10 great little car super warranty and breakdown

Kate.Trotter

forgotmyname wrote: »

Fiat 500 owners have complained about the poor fuel consumption. You wont get anywhere near the quoted figures.

Do you really get 700 miles from a tank yet only put £75 in? To fill the tank could cost £90+ Average 55 - 60mpg?

Your forgetting depreciation also..... How many hundreds is it losing every year?

Doesn't cost £90 to fill the car up... I think I would know if it did We have had 700 miles out of a tank yes, more realistic figure is probably nearer the 600 mark on average. All cars depreciate, so if you want to look at it like that, maybe shouldn't have a car at all? We are happy with the BMW, it's our 'nice' car..the Swift is the one we're not sure is worth it for the short journeys!

Wh05apk

Are you really going to save enough in fuel to make it worthwhile changing?


It sounds like you are only getting about 30 mpg, so I am guessing it is mainly traffic use? even if you got 45mpg (I doubt if you would get a 50% improvement in similar use?) you would only save about £30pm/£360 per year, is it worth sacrificing the space/comfort/reliability of your current car for an unknown car, which may need expensive repairs or if you are buying new will depreciate by far more.