In these days of increasing student debt I find reference to student cars quite amazing. However I know that many have them – a friend lives in Hatfield (where the University of Hertfordshire is based) and student parking is a real issue. When I started my degree (over 30 years ago) it was very unusual for a student to own a car. A few of us had motorbikes but they were usually old. I did have a Mk II Escort in my post-graduate year. Some others did as well but by then we were able to get well paid holiday jobs not minimum wage in a supermarket!

I started university 11 years ago and only one person of my acquaintance had a car. I did both of my degrees at the same uni and watched as the parking system became ever more complicated and overcrowded, as more and more undergraduates brought cars with them. I certainly couldn't have afforded to run one; even as a postgrad I used the bus because the parking permits were so expensive.

Our daughter bought herself a new diesel Yaris, after I had researched prices for fresh examples. Which she intends to keep for 15 years/250,000 miles (ish).

How can your daughter know she will do 250,000 miles over the next 15 years. Unless she continues to live in the same house, continues to do the same job that mileage and keeps the exact same lifestyle the mileage will either increase or reduce. During that time she will likely as not have a family, if she stays at home her mileage will be close to negligable and a diesel will be totally unsuitable.

(i) For a small bodied diesel surely looking at 55mpg plus (going on 60mpg) against 35mpg/40 perhaps in a petrol.

Probably pick up a fresh second hand example, depending on how long his banger lasts, but it went through the stiff NI MOT with a set of new discs and pads itted by his ould Da.

I would hope our daughter keeps the Yaris, and she almost certainly will, reared proper odd she was and forby that, that has always been our family car buying stradgey.

If she falls in with a suitable boyfriend/husband to be who wants to put her in a better car.

Her brother will buy the cast off Yaris.

Simples.

PS

I hate buying cars and rather deal with the level playing field of a straight purchase new car than sommat 2nd hand.

Though I did work my way up via 2nd hand motors.

M

OOps

It is obviously a 5 door Yaris, therefore suitable as a small family car/ second family car.

PPs

Currently getting 60+mpg, on mostly longer runs, she is currently doing about 18,000 miles a year. (part time job and a home bird forby)

Edited by dieseldogg on 13/08/2013 at 17:14