Car conundrum - what to do

charlie71

Hi all -

Some advice please.

Family of 4, including 2 under eight year old kids -

We have (and need) two cars -

School run (no walking/bus option) and work for me (no train option).

My car is a skoda Octavia Estate (61 plate) 1.4 tsi (petrol/manual)with 115k miles on it. There are no known issues with it, and we have had it since new. I'm currently putting 15-18k miles on it a year. It's never skipped a beat - and has LOTS AND LOTS of space but maybe it is time for things to start to go wrong?

The other car is a 14 reg Suzuki Alto - Used by the missus to mainly take the kids to school - Maximum of about 7k miles a year. Also petrol(but automatic) I hate it and avoid driving it as much as possible. Wife is not a big fan, but she inherited it. This car only has 12,000 miles on it, but feels like driving a tin can.

Thinking it may be time to change the Skoda given the mileage for something else. Got to thinking though that maybe should keep the skoda and ditch the suzuki. Wife is equally happy with driving the skoda.

So- I figure we have three options -

1.Do nothing - keep the skoda - and keep adding 15k miles each year. (Who knows how long it may last though)
Suzuki gets 7k added each year.

2. New car - Sell the skoda - keep the suzuki. (this gets rid of the high mileage car in the family) - but keeps the tin..

3. New car - sell the suzuki - Keeping the high mileage car - but also keeping it's versatility/space and reducing the 15k average miles a year to 7k miles.

I like options 2 and 3 as it means a new car - but I can stay with option 1 and hold on for another 12 months and review then.

I cannot decide between option 2 and 3 though if I decided option 1 was not the way to go.

Any thoughts please - It's a pretty tough conundrum in my head - and maybe someone will say something that brings some clarity!

Thanks -

Charlie.

Nebulous2

I'd go option 3 but that doesn't help you.

We're missing a lot of info here- like what do you need it for? Is the mileage on the Skoda for work use or mainly commuting? Do you carry equipment or just you, do you need a big car?

How do you holiday? Pack everyone and the kitchen sink into the car and do 1000s of miles or leave it at home and fly? Do you do lots of leisure stuff at evenings and weekends carrying all of you?

You might find choosing option 3 and buying a smaller economical car for work doesn't reduce the Skoda's mileage to 7k. If you both like driving it you may continue to do so, for runs that at the moment you avoid the Suzuki.

missile

Keep the car you like and trade the one you don't. Maybe become a two Skoda family.

You say new? :eek: Look for a good second hand vehicle.

tacpot12

I wouldn't say it is a tough conundrum. The Skoda hasn't gone wrong yet, and when it does, it will probably only need minor repairs. You will see Skoda's on eBay with 200K and 300K miles on them. Just keep putting 15-18K miles on it for the next few years and see how you get on. My Skoda (and I admit I'm a fan) has 145K on it, and has only needed a new suspension spring and suspension bushes. A car you have had from new is quite valuable as you know it hasn't been abused (unless you abused it), and that it has been serviced. I would be looking to keep the Skoda for many years yet.

If you want to spend some money, trade the Alto in for a better car. A Skoda Fabia would be my choice for a small run-around, but as it will be mainly your wife driving, it should be principally her decision.

If it were me, I would run the Alto into the ground before changing it, but I'm a miser when it comes to money.

charlie71

Thanks all -
Nebulous- My mileage is mainly commuting - about 60 miles per day plus family 'stuff' at weekends and occasional evenings. Need a big car for weekends away etc. The estate is perfect for that.

Missile - Good second hand vehicle sounds sensible - I tend to keep cars for a while, so wont be looking to change it in 2-3 years - which means I wouldn't want one more than 3 years old.
I can currently get brand new version of the car that has caught my eye (Mercedes C class) for only about £3k more than an equivalent 2 year old version. This is what has led to last nights post btw.

Tacpot - I kind of agree - Not sure the petrol version will get up to that sort of mileage though. Autotrader only has one I can see with about 180k on it.

Love a Skoda - I'll always be a fan.


Charlie

lincroft1710

No point in changing either car. Driving a tin can is no big deal for short distances and you're happy with the Skoda

charlie71

lincroft1710 wrote: »

No point in changing either car. Driving a tin can is no big deal for short distances and you're happy with the Skoda

Such sensible'ness. Thank you. I think this is probably the right answer.

How boring.

lincroft1710

charlie71 wrote: »

How boring.

How practical
How MSE
How will you spend the money saved by not buying new car(s)?

MysteryMe

115,000 miles is nothing on a diesel that has been serviced.

charlie71

MysteryMe wrote: »

115,000 miles is nothing on a diesel that has been serviced.

Yep. I agree. Mine is a 1.4 petrol TSI though..!

MysteryMe

Sorry, reading skills fail there!