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Low cost motorway driving
I need some advice on what car (probably second hand) to buy.
My priorities are:
MOST IMPORTANT:
1. Low *overall* cost motoring
2. Quiet & comfortable with good ride on motorways (long journeys & making phone calls from car)
3. Good-ish acceleration (for safe overtaking). (0-60 in c.8 or 9 secs max)
DESIRABLE:
4. Ideally need a hatchback (for transporting larger items)
5. Good cornering (fun & saves fuel).
6. Cruise control (useful for long journeys)
7. Easy to park
WHAT DOES NOT MATTER:
- I do not care about make of car/image.
- I do not care what the car looks like.
BACKGROUND CONSTRAINTS:
- I am open to leasing, purchasing new or buying second hand.
- I have about GBP 10,000+ to throw at the problem.
- I do about 20,000 miles per year.
- I am in my early 50s.
- I have 3 years no claims bonus.
MY INITIAL THOUGHTS:
I have been advised to buy an old second hand Honda Accord, c. 1996 which apparently "never break down".
AVERAGE HISTORY COSTS:
I have just run the numbers for over the last 4 years, which are:
Depreciation: GBP 1,400 per year
Diesel: GBP 1,800 per year
Repairs/parts: GPP 2,100 per year
Current car: Golf TDI 1.9 (150 BHP I think).
Mileage: 16,000 miles per year (about to be 20,000)
DISCUSSION:
To me the huge surprise is just how small a proportion of overall costs is fuel - even now it's only about 33% !
Any advice?
My priorities are:
MOST IMPORTANT:
1. Low *overall* cost motoring
2. Quiet & comfortable with good ride on motorways (long journeys & making phone calls from car)
3. Good-ish acceleration (for safe overtaking). (0-60 in c.8 or 9 secs max)
DESIRABLE:
4. Ideally need a hatchback (for transporting larger items)
5. Good cornering (fun & saves fuel).
6. Cruise control (useful for long journeys)
7. Easy to park
WHAT DOES NOT MATTER:
- I do not care about make of car/image.
- I do not care what the car looks like.
BACKGROUND CONSTRAINTS:
- I am open to leasing, purchasing new or buying second hand.
- I have about GBP 10,000+ to throw at the problem.
- I do about 20,000 miles per year.
- I am in my early 50s.
- I have 3 years no claims bonus.
MY INITIAL THOUGHTS:
I have been advised to buy an old second hand Honda Accord, c. 1996 which apparently "never break down".
AVERAGE HISTORY COSTS:
I have just run the numbers for over the last 4 years, which are:
Depreciation: GBP 1,400 per year
Diesel: GBP 1,800 per year
Repairs/parts: GPP 2,100 per year
Current car: Golf TDI 1.9 (150 BHP I think).
Mileage: 16,000 miles per year (about to be 20,000)
DISCUSSION:
To me the huge surprise is just how small a proportion of overall costs is fuel - even now it's only about 33% !
Any advice?
Asked on 9 May 2011 by ship69
Answered by
Honest John
This is a "you've done your own sums" number.
You're right. No point in saving relatively small amounts on diesel if the diesel is going to bring huge bills for DMFs, DPFs, etc.
I'd look at a Mondeo III 1.8 or 2.0 petrol with the swirl flaps taken out of the inlet manifold.
They go for buttons, last well, and are cheap to fix. Much cheaper than a Honda.
You're right. No point in saving relatively small amounts on diesel if the diesel is going to bring huge bills for DMFs, DPFs, etc.
I'd look at a Mondeo III 1.8 or 2.0 petrol with the swirl flaps taken out of the inlet manifold.
They go for buttons, last well, and are cheap to fix. Much cheaper than a Honda.
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Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
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