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When to sell and what to buy?

I'd apprecate advice, please. Have had a 2005 Mondeo TDCI LX from one year old; now done 60K gentle miles, 1500 of them towing lightweight caravan (950kg).

Main concern is cheapness to run, mainly avoiding repairs. Car is serviced by main dealer to schedules. Had a OSF spring break last year (£200) and wonder if it's starting to fall apart: someone said design life of cars is 70K miles.

I expect to do more caravanning in future. Should I sell or carry on?

Also, what should I buy? We like the space/comfort of the Mondeo (esp the boot) but not Ford's attitude to warranty claims. I want a car that will (probably) not go wrong, ever, and will be cheap to run/service/add towbar/caravan electrics to. Prefer manual, happy with hatch or estate, petrol or diesel. Budget £10-12K.

Asked on 8 February 2012 by Eeyore

Answered by Honest John
It's approaching the end of its design life, but the model has some advantages, such as a chain cam engine and no diesel particulate filter to worry about. A current model KIA cee'd or Hyundai i30 1.6 petrol now on run out should tow well because they are low geared in 5th (about 21mph/1,000rpm).

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