Car + Car Insurance Help

GunJack

stalling/starting issue, it might just need a new fuel filter.....

honestly, as others have suggested, if it'll be a couple of hundred to get through the MoT, that's way better than thousands of debt on another metal box on wheels

MilduraS

I don't want to suggest that you get a PCP deal as only you know your exact circumstances but you might find the below helpful when weighing up options.

Background- I'm 27 and I've had my licence for 9 years but haven't driven in 7 years. I have zero no claims bonus as a result. Due to work I now need to drive again and I've started refresher lessons. I debated getting an old car, leasing a car or getting a car on PCP. The old car option was ruled out almost immediately when I compared insurance quotes for a 10 year old Vauxhall Corsa- £2,600! and a one year old Corsa £650. On top of the insurance, the old car would likely need more work so I factored that in when I decided against an older car. I also liked the predictability of costs.

I chose a Skoda Citigo (their version of the VW UP!)
Model type: SE L (the options in price order are S, SE, SE L)
Transmission: Auto (adds more costs onto the already expensive SE L)
Extras: Climate control (rather than manual air con), City safe with rain and light sensors (fancy braking system plus lights and wipers that take care of themselves), metallic blue paint (looks clean for longer I hope!)
Mileage: 10,000 per year (Can be increased by dealer- he asked if I needed more)
Additional miles above allowance: 3p per mile
Deposit contribution: £1,500 from manufacturer
My deposit: £1,500 (optional)
Monthly payments: £150
Fully comp insurance: £350 per year with £150 excess (no telematics)

I'm not a natural negotiator but on the way to the dealership my boyfriend suggested that I say my budget is £10-£20 under what the online configurator said my options would cost. I panicked and said my original budget of £150 when asked rather than the intended £140 so decided to add on the blue paint. The options above came to £167 per month (if I remember correctly) I then said something along the lines of "Oh right, ok. I better have a think about what options I should knock off" then started looking at the brochure. Without another word, the salesman excused himself then came back and said the manager had approved £150 with all of my options.

If you're not going for an automatic and you don't have your heart set on a top of the range car with extras it could be more affordable than you think. I assume other brands will also be able to increase the annual mileage when putting it through their system.

Ectophile

2011 - that's newer than my Panda! And I have no intention of replacing mine for a couple of years yet.

I've driven mine in some pretty awful weather without problems. It probably would have been fine in the snow - most small front wheel drive cars are - but I bottled out and drove my tatty old Landy instead (that's a 2002 model and still going).

You sound like you're determined to buy a new car, and don't want to spend anything on servicing the old one. Instead, you could end up paying an extortionate interest rate on a nearly new car that you don't really need.

RainbowGirl90

In all honesty I don’t want a new car. However, I do want a vehicle which I feel confident is going to last me . Given my experience with used cars (Matiz 1 lasted 5 months and Matiz 2 a shade over a year) I’m coming to the conclusion that I don’t have much luck with them.

Whether I’ve been unlucky with my Panda I don’t know but the wind has almost taken me in to the central reservation with her more than once.

In terms of putting money to service the car I’ve been bitten with that in the past. Matiz 2 i was throwing ridiculous amounts of money after with a new problem then arising. To the point where the final breakdown the fix would’ve run in to thousands and been considerably more than the car was worth. A shame really because I loved that car. But my fear is throwing money at the Panda as I did with the Matiz and having a constant stream of problems popping up.

I can’t help my past experience with cars and that has put me in this mindset. I would be perfectly happy to keep going with th Panda but I just don’t want to land myself in the position I was last year

System

RainbowGirl90 wrote:

The car has recently had new brake discs and pads as they were completely worn.

So quite clearly then you never service it. It is most likely running like a bag of nails because it needs a service.