Should I Buy a Another Car?

anotheruser

My 56 reg focus has done 147k miles and for the past couple of years it's been okay.
However this time around it's needed some work... about £900 worth of work. I've had it about 10 years but can see it costing more and more. Tax is now at £200 a year, which isn't great. It is a top spec one though. But things like air con don't work anymore and it's likely to cost £300 fo fix.

So I'm thinking perhaps I should either:

Buy a new car on finance (not sure what options I have here)

Buy a crap car and just get a new one every time the MOT is due (expecting it not to pass through).

Aby thought?

Scrapit

You've just paid 900 quid, make the most of that. Also aircon isn't an issue as we come I to winter (said on a lovely warm day). Buying a new motor is gonna cost more.

tacpot12

You have other options: rent a car on a PCP, or buy one in a mid-price range.

I paid £900 for the 55 Ford Mondeo I drive. I'm expecting it to last about 3 years with minimal maintenance.

You could pay £5000 for a car and expect it to last ten years. Perhaps most important is to understand what you need from the car, and see what fits the bill.

If you need a reliable car, you will need to spend quite a bit of money. If you can cope with a less reliable car, an old banger can make a lot of economic sense.

hareng

Presume thats diesel if you have mot run it in to the ground and scrap it at next renewal.
Engine may be ok for a little bit longer if looked after its the untold other problems that arise with older cars, bearings, clutch, DPF, bushes etc. ie have had mot failure on a Vectra 6 years old from new due to brake pipes corroded and thats a pain of a job petrol tank needs to be dropped garages didnt want to know.

Personally i think its quite feasable to have to spend £500 to £700 each year just on parts, with labour that akin to £1000+.
Plus side you do know what and what hasnt been done, weigh up the options.

Discodave

Sorry to hijack the thread (please delete if needed), however i'm in the same boat!

My Scenic MKII died this week, and whilst i dont need as big car, it makes family live easier if I get another one, but again do I lease, PCP or buy used one?

parking_question_chap

My aircon ran out in 2016.
Windows still work though.

You have not said what you use your car for and how far you drive.
Cant answer the question without knowing that.

anotheruser

hareng wrote: »

Presume thats diesel.

It's a petrol.

Sorry, I should have added that I use it for getting to work and back, 15 mile round trip so not far really.

Thanks for the thoughts so far though!

parking_question_chap

It depends on your attitude to spending. I imagine as well as costs the concern over getting to work if it breaks down is an issue.

My car is about the same age as yours and I was concerned about the not getting to work issue so rather than spending thousands on a new car I picked up an old bike off Ebay as a back up. I now cycle to work everyday. Its about a nine mile round trip.

Of the options you have suggested I would look at getting a banger when your current car goes pop. however as long as you look after it there is no reason it can keep on for a few years yet.

Rolandtheroadie

What is the £900 worth of work?

anotheruser

Rolandtheroadie wrote: »

What is the £900 worth of work?

It was a bit less as I deferred some work.

Major service (past two have been mini ones)
New exhaust box
New front brakes
Rear brake adjustment
A few other small bits
MOT

Didn't go for a new set of belts (and associated work). It's a little hissy, but had the belts changed at about 80,000 I think.


Some good thoughts here.
I could get the train to work but if it's late, I'm late and by the time I've walked to the station, I could have driven to work.

We do have another car in the family though so have frequently been dropped off and then I get the train home.

chelseablue

I've been wondering this recently about my car, its a 56 plate Nissan Note
It's only done 57,000 miles so I'm hoping to get a few more years out of it

The thing that worries me is if its in an accident it'll probably get written off due to its age.

If I don't have enough money saved when it goes I'm thinking of leasing the cheapest car I can find for a couple of years while saving up to buy a car when the lease one goes back