Car Swap Advice

rory123

Advice needed:
Recently my Dad decided to buy a new car, and now no longer needs his 5 door 1.8ltr Scenic Petrol Auto 08 reg.. This opens up the possibility of me switching to this, from my 3 door Ford Fiesta 1.4 Petrol 54 reg.
I need advice as my mechanic is away, and I'd be taking a chance on either car so it would be nice to hear someone else's opinion on it.
I am 20 year old male driver, with two years driving and 1 years no claims.
I regularly have 3 or more people in my car, and do at least 250 miles a week with a long motorway journey once a week.

Scenic:
Pros:
known history
no problems as of yet
new tyres
new cam belt
reliable so far
lower mileage, roughly 90,000

Cons:
Insurance would be more, £1000
lower mpg around 37
new rear light fitting needed
no air con and slightly dodgy electrics
gear box isnt as smooth as it used to be

Fiesta:
Pros:
cheaper road tax,£145
better mpg, roughly 40
manual
Cons:
Lots of work done already, new clutch, handbreak fixed, suspension fixed
Wheels need balancing
windscreen chip
new tyres needed
struggles with 3 or more in the car
overheating in the car due to no air con


At the moment my preference would be to move to the Scenic, as I believe I may be able to sell on the fiesta, and make some money off it. As we bought it for 1.5k, and have had it for 2 years.

Please comment with advice and opinions, anything constructive is massively appreciated!

rory123

Insurance is currently £750 on the fiesta

forgotmyname

37mpg for a 1.8 auto scenic? Thinking about it did they have a 1.8 auto in 2008?

Did they do a 1.8 auto?

rory123

apologies, I meant 1.6, yes 35-37 mpg

forgotmyname

If thats the official figures you may get that on a long run but get into a city or drive in traffic and its going to be less.

Closer to 30 is more likely.

captainawsome

A French car with 'slightly dodgy electrics' would be one to avoid I'd say. They arnt going to get any better.

motorguy

I think you're optimistic thinking you're going to make money on a 2004 fiesta you gave £1500 for two years ago.

Theres any amount of 2004 1.4 fiestas on gumtree from £800 upwards.

Especially one with no aircon and relatively high miles.

Scenics are decent enough. You could a new tail light for £40 ish on ebay and it shouldnt be hard to fit.

Has the scenic had the timing belt done? Does it ever make an odd plasticky rattling noise when it starts from cold? Dephaser pulleys go on these and its prob a £300 job inc a new timing belt.

I probably wouldnt be afraid of it, if the price is right

rory123

The timing belt has been done, and I'd be getting the car for free essentially, I'd just have to pay the extra road tax and insurance

rory123

And also by saying making money of it, realistically I mean getting something for it, rather than nothing

Hintza

If your dad is giving you the car the old phrase "Never look a gift horse in the mouth springs to mind".

Drive it for a year and if you don't like it (or it is causing problems) then sell it on. (You can't really sell it straight away, that would be a bit rude).

gabitzul

Free car? What's not to like.

Get it and try to see how you get on.

As already mentioned, your Fiesta is not worth much, but if good condition you might be able to get about £900.

I have driven Scenics and are decent cars. Fuel consumption can be a worry if you do loads of miles on that engine as it will be stressed (quite small for the car) but in town and with an auto box I can think of many worse cars to drive.