Toyota Rav4 2009 Diesel/ Does it stay or does it go?

Mc2_2

My Toyota 2009 Rav4 is the most wonderful car to drive.  I love it.  After driving baked bean cans for years, to get into something of real quality is hard to let go.  
But it does 35 mpg.  Eeek!
Plus, as I've been considering changing to another car, I was shocked to find it's only worth £4,100 in part-ex.  So all I'd probably get for this is a younger baked bean can, with a much better mpg.  This could end up costing me just as much to run and repair as my wonderfully built Toyota.  
So I'm weighing up my options here.  I don't actually do loads of miles, so I feel that the car's worth means I've missed the boat in changing it to something decent.  
There's the high tax too. 
And it's keyless entry.  Anyone know if this is a big costly problem if it stops working?  
Any opinions most welcome.

marlot

>> I don't actually do loads of miles
In which case, you have a decent car that's not got loads of depreciation left to lose.
Don't worry about the MPG - just drive it until you hit an uneconomical repair.

Jackmydad

marlot said:

>> I don't actually do loads of miles
In which case, you have a decent car that's not got loads of depreciation left to lose.
Don't worry about the MPG - just drive it until you hit an uneconomical repair.

Is what I'd do.
Chasing mpg is fine if you do the mileage to justify the initial cost.

Shedman

Fuel cost difference per 1000 miles between 35mpg and, say, 50mpg works out around £50 a year so if you're doing 6000 miles a year then only £300 p.a. so not much of an issue. Unless there are things that are likely to go wrong ( e.g. DPF if you have one) or big costly scheduled maintenance items due then running your current car on makes sense especially as you clearly enjoy it.  Enjoyment has a value.

edit: just surprised you're only getting 35mpg from a diesel though...I get 56mpg from my Focus estate diesel.

Mc2_2

Thank you so much for the amazing comments.  I feel much better about keeping my car!  I can't believe the maths - amazing stuff.  Shedman said:

Fuel cost difference per 1000 miles between 35mpg and, say, 50mpg works out around £50 a year so if you're doing 6000 miles a year then only £300 p.a. so not much of an issue. Unless there are things that are likely to go wrong ( e.g. DPF if you have one) or big costly scheduled maintenance items due then running your current car on makes sense especially as you clearly enjoy it.  Enjoyment has a value.

edit: just surprised you're only getting 35mpg from a diesel though...I get 56mpg from my Focus estate diesel.

treeroy

How are you getting 35mpg! Can't get mine over 32 unless i drive slowly along a motorway.

If you dont do many miles, fuel shouldn't be as much of a concern.
Keyless entry not likely to go wrong and not huge job to fix. It's just some sensors.

chelseablue

I get 32mpg on my petrol, automatic Nissan Note 
As I only do around 6,000 miles a year Im not really worried. Plus its the best car I've ever had for reliability and driving. 14 years old now and aiming to get it to 20  

Mc2_2

Yes, it has crossed my mind that there probably isn't much difference with an automatic car, so thanks for confirming that!