To trade up or to not trade up

bigjl

60mpg plus is certainly a possibility on a Clio Dci

Wife's old Clio was a 56plate and was still giving over 60mpg even with lots of urban use.

It was not very good on a run though if you tried to maintain 70mph.

But if you drive at just under 60mph it would return nearly 75mpg, sitting at 70mph would result in high 50's to the gallon.

I suspect it was geared different to the higher powered versions and was only the 68bhp version with a 5speed box.

Gave us 6 yrs reliable service with just a few electrical glitches, reckon the clutch was on the way out and it had a leak from leak off pipe so we just got rid.

I would have a Renault again over a Golf but that is just me.

Personally I think VWs are expensive for what they are.

I wouldn't over analyse the figures as a couple of quid here or there is unlikely to make a huge difference over the year.

But if you like the look of the Golf or Clio and can afford the payments then go for the one you like.

loskie

The cost of tax over the year is not an issue.
You are over valuing your Megane I think.
The current APR% is high.
A mid term change in insurance will cost you.
Maintenance, tyres etc will be much the same.
Can you get cheaper finance to pay off the loan.
Rarely will you save money by changing your car.
You like your car so stick with it.
MPG seems low(I get 29mpg in a 12yr old 2.0 4x4 Forester), insurance cost high I am guessing from this you are a new driver. Maybe read up and practice a more economical driving style.

From what you describe your car is not a money pit these are just normal costs.

dcouponzzzz

My purpose is essentially to cut monthly outgoings, and from Bigjl's comments it looks like I can do it with the Clio. I've been eco-driving, between 2.5k-3k rpm in 6th gear (currently 55-67mph in the megane) which on a return motorway journey managed 50mpg in my petrol guzzler, so I'm confident I can get the higher end.

The newer models are in my price range so I'm happy to go for them seeing as I'm still saving, but I'll look into the older ones you're mentioning Danny. I'd prefer a 1-2 year old car that's got 15-20k motorway miles than a 5-7 year old car with city miles on it!

Regarding depreciation, I don't see a problem if this car's the right fit for me. If I drive it for a month and it's solid and I enjoy it, it'll live out the 5 year finance.

Now I need to look in to whether 0% credit cards can work for this instead of a loan....

AdrianC

You're locking yourself into more, longer finance to save a relatively small amount of money - <£50/mo.

dcouponzzzz

I would say that £50 p/m or £600 p/a is a significant saving, and considering I'm just shy of 4 years locked into my current finance it wouldn't make much of a difference. In the long term I may even land a job close to home and my savings could be sky high.

gonzo127

maybe something of a curve ball,

although you say about a newer car, have you considered something like a older 'hotter' car?

i drive a 54 plate Ibiza FR which has a 1.9tdi engine in does 0-60 in under 10 seconds if needed, and i do similar driving to you, 35 miles each way mostly motorway but a 5-10 mile town'ish driving (40mph roads with a few traffic lights) i am still getting between 58 and 62 mpg, £130 for tax, no DPF to worry about, and having a 'cheaper' car could allow you to reduce your finance and so clear it faster

dcouponzzzz

Ah and regarding the increased insurance, I spoke with Churchill and there would only be a 26.50 administration fee

AdrianC

dcouponzzzz wrote: »

In the long term I may even land a job close to home and my savings could be sky high.

If your commute reduced, your savings would reduce - but the increased outgoings would remain.

You would also then be doing a driving pattern that would be far worse for a diesel than a petrol.

alibean121

I think you would benefit from keeping track of EXACTLY how much you spend on petrol at the moment. When the saving is only £10 a week, £50-60 on fuel is quite a big range!! Have you spoken to a dealer about how much they'd value your car for as well as this will make a massive difference.

ratrace

Your current car has lost around £1500 in just 2 months

Some people just wont listen, they just have to learn the hard way.