Downsizing my car? Advice sought

MikeDB

Hi all,
I have a 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta, 2.0 JTDI Diesel 170HP.
It’s a nice car, I enjoy it, but I’m not a petrol head and I could do with a downsize. I would be happy to swap it for something more fuel/insurance/tax/parking permit efficient, even if smaller and less powerful, and maybe slightly newer.
has anybody done such a swap? What is the best way to do it?
also, in light of future legislation for contamination, what would be the best car to go for?

many thanks 

DrEskimo

You sell you car, and then use that money plus any savings you have to buy another one...I would avoid part exchanging. Private sale is likely to give you the most.

I highly recommend an EV if you can accommodate one. It will largely depend on your budget, as well as your mileage and use case.

AdrianC

Now is a lousy time to do it. Lots of people will be trying to acquire sensible, cheap, small, economical cars - or simply sell their cars. Your cost to trade down will be far higher than it would have been a few months ago.

As far as "restrictions" go, virtually every emissions restriction will bar your car - it's a pre-Euro6 diesel. The only city with a non-trivial-sized emission restriction currently planned is London - and that has excellent public transport anyway. Not that you can use it...

MikeDB

So, I live in London, to the west. Reachable by tube but I need the car for my commute to work (20 min drive). Apart from that, I just use it for the occasional day out and short commutes.

I love the idea of an EV but don't have the money to purchase one at the moment. I've always bought my cars with money in hand, no way I buy new with installements.

foxy-stoat

Had that exact car - down sized and valued to a 1.3 cdti Corsa, getting 58mpg instead of 40, £20 a year to tax, saved a hundred or so on the insurance.  No where near as nice to drive but did it to buy a bigger house and needed a few thousand out, and dont care if it gets scratched now.

Sell it on the open market and buy another car - dont try and swap it.  It did take a few months to sell at the right price though, it will take longer now in these times I would say, unless its cheap.

AdrianC

MikeDB said:

So, I live in London, to the west. Reachable by tube

So you're outside the North Circ? No immediate ULEZ impact, then, from next autumn.

but I need the car for my commute to work (20 min drive).

20 min drive in London... How far is that in miles? And are you a key worker who can't work from home...?

Apart from that, I just use it for the occasional day out and short commutes.

Cross the "day out" off for the summer.
"Short commutes" - to places of work other than your normal base? Does your insurance cover business use? And, again, will that even be continuing?

I love the idea of an EV but don't have the money to purchase one at the moment.

Have you considered an electric bicycle...?

DrEskimo

MikeDB said:

I love the idea of an EV but don't have the money to purchase one at the moment. I've always bought my cars with money in hand, no way I buy new with installements.

Me neither, which is why I bought mine used in full.

Without knowing your budget it's difficult to make any recommendations.

Mercdriver

from the wording, the OP is looking to do a straight swap.  Is your budget the value of your present car?  If so, it won't get you a lot, I suspect.  9 year old car...

MikeDB

ideally I wouldn't want to put money in. use whatever I get from my car, being it a direct swap or sell+buy.

by the way, sorry for being such a newbie, what does OP stands for? thanks guys!

foxy-stoat

OP = original poster.
Try and sell your car and buy something else, when we get back to normal-ish times.

forgotmyname

Small cars often cost more to buy than larger cars. I started buying Mondeo's because they were cheaper than a
Focus or Fiesta. Usually better spec also. Looking during 2018 and Vauxhall Insignia's were dirt cheap followed
by Zafira's.

Yes i could save £7 on the insurance by going from a decent spec 2L Mondeo to a base spec 1.25L LX Fiesta
but the tax is the same. MPG on the smaller car will be better in town where the larger car will be better on the
motorway.