Would like a newer car....but

powerful_Rogue

Not sure there is a question here!

Currently got a 56 plate Grande Punto. Had it for 11 years, no real dramas with it or expense. It's a good car, apart from the age related paint (It was red!) and a few scracthes and scuffs. (Driver scraped along the side, no major damage, just a bit cosmetic a few months ago.) 95k on the clock, but it's a MJD - A pretty good engine from what i've been told.

Always have a look online every now and then, as would quite like to get another car, mainly with 5 doors and a few more mod cons. (Might get to not have a sock full of cat litter in the car during the winter months)

Value of the car is around £250, or £166 scrap. Couldn't bring myself to scrap a car that runs pretty much perfectly. Looks like i've got it until it does finally give up the ghost!

Suppose if I was to ask a question, anyone else been in the same kind of situation?

Grumpy_chap

We are in a very similar situation, except the need for a new car is diminished until lockdown ends and we can go somewhere. 

Our approach is (was) to keep the old car as a workhorse and then get something for the daily commute.  That opens up a lot more choice in the new car - either to have something that is less practical and more fun of, in our case, hopefully to go for an EV with the old car being used for those occasions that may arise where the range of an EV would be an obstacle.

Our approach now is to keep the old car until it goes no more - given that I've only done 500 miles this year so far, spending on a new car would be foolish. 

If you do decide to change to something newer, there are some good offers around in some places, with others trying to charge "top dollar" claiming high demand and low supply because of COVID - two claims that I cannot believe are entirely true.

powerful_Rogue

Thanks @Grumpy_chap

I went through the same mindset 3 years ago when the other half got a brand new car on PCP. (I know that's a touchy subject around here!)

That car is being collected on Wednesday, so to day we just picked her up a nice Ford Focus Titanium 1.5 Diesel. (Purchased, 2016 plate.) Absoutley lovely motor. So we've always had one 'good' car between us. We always use hers for the longer trips etc, mine is pretty much as you said, just a work horse! Get's me to and from work, and all the rubbish goes in it to be taken up the tip!

When the time does come that I need (rather then want) to replace, it would still be for an older car. Either a Fiat Bravo sport, or more then likely, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

lincroft1710

powerful_Rogue said:

 an Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Giulietta SS, excellent choice

motorguy

powerful_Rogue said:

Not sure there is a question here!

Currently got a 56 plate Grande Punto. Had it for 11 years, no real dramas with it or expense. It's a good car, apart from the age related paint (It was red!) and a few scracthes and scuffs. (Driver scraped along the side, no major damage, just a bit cosmetic a few months ago.) 95k on the clock, but it's a MJD - A pretty good engine from what i've been told.

Always have a look online every now and then, as would quite like to get another car, mainly with 5 doors and a few more mod cons. (Might get to not have a sock full of cat litter in the car during the winter months)

Value of the car is around £250, or £166 scrap. Couldn't bring myself to scrap a car that runs pretty much perfectly. Looks like i've got it until it does finally give up the ghost!

Suppose if I was to ask a question, anyone else been in the same kind of situation?

I guess - as its at its lowest possible value - its down to whether you want to jump out of it now or wait until some bill puts it off the road or it lets you down?

Its an old FIAT so if its got this far it'll likely keep chugging away.  I'd an old Marea 1.9JTD and it was eventually a rotten floor pan that got it and thus it wasnt going to pass MOT.

The worst case scenario would be if it went bang some day which might put you on the back foot needing another car immediately, as opposed to being able to do that in a controlled manner now.

On balance, i'd likely drive on at it until it eventually becomes uneconomical to repair.