To change car or not?

ViktorOnopko

I'm in two minds over what to do with my car. I've currently got a Focus ST which I've had since 2008 and love, it's a great car to drive. I've always had jobs which are a 10 mile drive but now have a new job which is a 35 mile commute each way. I'm considering the Seat Leon FR (180 diesel) to both save on fuel costs (plus tax & insurance) and from my sums I reckon the amount I'd pay each month on a new car I'd save via reduced costs.

The one thing putting me off is the 12% APR that gets whacked on when financing a car. Anyone used alternative means, whey a cash purchase isn't an option (that's tied up for a house deposit).

neilmcl

Assuming when you say "new" you actually mean a "new to you" used car (12% APR is too high for a new car). In which case it may be cheaper financing via a bank loan.

Depending on the age of car you're buying, it may actually work out cheaper to get a new car on a cheaper finance deal with contributions than say a year old used one.

Herzlos

Bank loan should get you a much better rate than the car dealership.

Another option might be to look at an older Leon, so you're not borrowing as much.

foxy-stoat

Assuming you have fully paid off your Focus, by 8 years I'd hope so, I cannot see how you will pay less if you factor in the purchase price of a new(ish) car.

Leon should do 45 mpg on a decent run - 70 miles a day x 5 days a week x 50 weeks a year = 17500 miles a year / 45 = 389 gallons x 4.5 = 1750 litres x £1.11 a litre? = £1943 for fuel. (£162 a month)

Compare what the Focus will do at 35 mpg @ 17500 miles a year = £2475 on fuel (£207 a month).

So you would only save £45 a month for communting fuel, maybe slightly more for personal, plus £10 a month for tax and £20? a month for insurance - I do not think you could save the cost of a new car for the loan to buy it, unless you have a large repair bill(s) looming, that would be a bit difference.

But if you want a new car then go for it - justify it how ever you want.

BeenThroughItAll

foxy-stoat wrote: »

Assuming you have fully paid off your Focus, by 8 years I'd hope so, I cannot see how you will pay less if you factor in the purchase price of a new(ish) car.

Leon should do 45 mpg on a decent run - 70 miles a day x 5 days a week x 50 weeks a year = 17500 miles a year / 45 = 389 gallons x 4.5 = 1750 litres x £1.11 a litre? = £1943 for fuel. (£162 a month)

Compare what the Focus will do at 35 mpg @ 17500 miles a year = £2475 on fuel (£207 a month).

So you would only save £45 a month for communting fuel, maybe slightly more for personal, plus £10 a month for tax and £20? a month for insurance - I do not think you could save the cost of a new car for the loan to buy it, unless you have a large repair bill(s) looming, that would be a bit difference.

But if you want a new car then go for it - justify it how ever you want.

2008 ST would never make 35MPG though. High 20s at best, when babied, in my experience. Low 20s more than likely.

I had one for four or five months back in 2009 and 23-25 was the average over mixed driving. Best I ever saw was 33ish.

foxy-stoat

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

2008 ST would never make 35MPG though. High 20s at best, when babied, in my experience. Low 20s more than likely.

I had one for four or five months back in 2009 and 23-25 was the average over mixed driving. Best I ever saw was 33ish.

He should be getting 25-30 then on a run. So the monthly savings on fuel would go up to £78-£126 depending on how economical the drive was.

ViktorOnopko

I calculated on 65MPG for the Leon and my ST only does 27 MPG max which I worked out as 4k per year fuel for the Focus and 1500 for the Seat. That along with tax and insurance savings came out as £240 per month which is not dissimilar to what I'd pay monthly for a new (to me) car.

And yes, was looking at something 1-2 years old rather than brand new. Will check out the APR on a brand new one.

neilmcl

ViktorOnopko wrote: »

I calculated on 65MPG for the Leon and my ST only does 27 MPG max which I worked out as 4k per year fuel for the Focus and 1500 for the Seat. That along with tax and insurance savings came out as £240 per month which is not dissimilar to what I'd pay monthly for a new (to me) car.

And yes, was looking at something 1-2 years old rather than brand new. Will check out the APR on a brand new one.

There's no way you'll be long term averaging 65mpg with a Seat Leon FR. I'd imagine more like high 40s, low 50s.

Have a look here - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/

Robisere

One thing going for you, is the Focus ST you have now. The Boy Racer Brigade love these, you would have no trouble selling that privately.

Prothet_of_Doom

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

2008 ST would never make 35MPG though. High 20s at best, when babied, in my experience. Low 20s more than likely.

I had one for four or five months back in 2009 and 23-25 was the average over mixed driving. Best I ever saw was 33ish.

I've just bought a 3.2 V6 Omega with 162K on the clock. They tell me I might not get 25 mpg. Strange that in my first week, I've done 770 miles at 31 mpg. Long journeys at a steady pace can surprise you.

Anyway back to the OP's question. The Answer is never to buy anything made by the VAG group, and if you must buy the skoda version. Would that be a fabia ? or an octavia ?

Personally I'd be keeping the ST. Although I prefer the Mk1 Focus ST170 as it's a nicer shape, and less in your face.

as an aside, anyone notice that the mk1 versions of most cars are nicer to look at.

BeenThroughItAll

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

I've just bought a 3.2 V6 Omega with 162K on the clock. They tell me I might not get 25 mpg. Strange that in my first week, I've done 770 miles at 31 mpg. Long journeys at a steady pace can surprise you.

Anyway back to the OP's question. The Answer is never to buy anything made by the VAG group, and if you must buy the skoda version. Would that be a fabia ? or an octavia ?

Personally I'd be keeping the ST. Although I prefer the Mk1 Focus ST170 as it's a nicer shape, and less in your face.

as an aside, anyone notice that the mk1 versions of most cars are nicer to look at.

Im not quite sure what you're getting at? I'm aware long runs can give better fuel consumption; the OP isn't talking about long journeys though, they're talking about a relatively short commute of 35mi in their ST. Similar runs in mine gave the figures I quoted. 500mi days to the south east and back gave over 30.