Stick... or Twist New / Used?

Ilona

From a mere woman's point of view, and a pensioner who doesn't do much mileage, I always keep my (second hand) cars about 3 - 4 years, then upgrade to a newer one. As soon as I have changed my car, I save up for the next one, so that when the time comes I have enough, plus part ex. I have a 61 Focus at the moment just passed MOT, will look at changing it later next year.

I had years of driving older cars, and not being interested in mechanics, I am at the mercy of the garages for repairs, so I would rather keep on top of the job. I also get ex Motability cars, low mileage and serviced regularly. I would never buy a new car.

Ilona

System

My MK4 Mondeo is just about to turn 7, its next service will be cambelt, aux belts too. Its doing 16000-17000 miles a year and never lets me down. I've owned it coming up to 5 years in February and like you I've thought about wanting a change but I know that like when I changed from my MK3 to this one I'll end up driving down the road just like I did when I bought this one thinking I'd just wasted £10k buying a car that does exactly the same as the one I've just got rid of and actually in some cases was worse than the one I'd just parted with due to annoyances that the test drive didn't reveal such as getting soaked with water running off the boot when you open the hatchback when its raining, the fact the side windows are shorter than the MK3 so you've less vision looking out of the passenger window at a T junction, the fact that a mirror image of the chrome trim rings round the vents can be seen in the drivers door mirror....

So I'm going to stick with old faithful for now. Its paid for, its reliable, I've owned it from 2 years old and know everything that has been done to it, I don't park it in a supermarket worrying about it getting scratched or dinted and even though its not an estate I can fit long things in it such as a 3 metre kitchen worktop in it that my wife can't even do with her Renault Trafic van. Getting all emotional about it now, might treat it to a wash.

vinceremedy

Tarambor - you sound like being in the exact same position as me - I'm on 114k likes now. Even the annoyances you describe, I've experienced.

MOT is due in 4 weeks so im going to pop it in, I think it will also then be due another service and give me some time. I've started looking at those android mondeo factory fit car stereos to maybe update the tech and give me a couple of new toys to keep me sane whilst commuting as I only have the zetec spec model.

JustAnotherSaver

parking_question_chap wrote: »

6 years old. Thats nothing.

While i agree, everyone is different.

Would i ever spend £5k on a car? No never. I'd rather spend it on my house, but plenty people do.

A workmate of my wife has a knackered alloy wheel. A friend was going to sort her out with a new set of alloys for free but because they didn't 'look nice', months later she's still driving around with a knackered alloy on a dodgy MOT.

I'd probably spend max £2k on a car. My dad would have a fit if he spent £500, preferring more to £300-£400 (& somehow they always lasted years with no issues).

Likewise to me & you a 6 year old car is still quite 'new' but to some people it's old & they feel they need a replacement.