Any - Car change | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 21:59

Any - Car change - barney100

Why and when do you change your car? We can' take up our minds as to wether or not downsize to a new Fiesta or Up from the 2003 Volvo V70. It's running fine with 172k on the clock and not worth much as a trade in I imagine. Keep the Volvo or change to one of Fiesta or Up?

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 22:05

Any - Car change - RT

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

That's my golden rule, which has stood me in good stead for over 40 years.

When you've had any car a long time, it's future depreciation is only a pittance, compared to anything you might buy.

Edited by RT on 02/07/2014 at 22:06

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 22:20

Any - Car change - daveyjp

I've now had my B class longer than any other car I have owned, 3 years, 3 months. My annual mileage has reduced so I'm not in it much, I'm not bored with it and it is paid for.

It has now done just over 40,000, 37,000 with me, and it has had only regular servicing, usual consumables replacements and a reversing light switch replaced under warranty. It uses no oil and does evrything i need of it. Having a 'van' comes in useful. I found out the other week the rear is the perfect size for 4 pallets! Rear tyres will be replaced some time this month.

I intend to keep it as I would rather take advantage of low interest rates and use the money I would spend on a car loan getting the mortgage paid off.

Edited by daveyjp on 02/07/2014 at 22:22

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 22:27

Any - Car change - gordonbennet

If t'wer me i'd be looking after that Volvo and running it for many years to come.

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 22:48

Any - Car change - Alby Back

Me too GB. I knew someone who sold perfectly good car at that sort of mileage just because he thought he should. Would almost certainly have been fine. He got very little for it despite it being nigh on perfect except for its high mileage. Mondeo estate it was. Good car.

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 22:55

Any - Car change - gordonbennet

-:)))

I'm keeping schtum Alby, dare say you've kicked yourself a few times about letting the old girl go, but no more than we have over selling our old 940 Diesel estate to me sister a good few years back, sorely missed the rugged dependability and simplicity of that old beasty and its only just been retired, still running well with no rust despite total neglect during the last 6 or so years.

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 23:24

Any - Car change - Alby Back

I had a 940 petrol estate ( only a 2.0 ) back along. early 1990s I want to think. As you say, solid. Handling was a bit stodgy though.

My 850 estate was a lot livelier but that was a T5.

Wouldn't like to second guess which if either of them was still going though. Probably the tank.

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 23:28

Any - Car change - A. Badger

I've got a very similar dilemma over a 2002 Honda Accord, which I bought at a year old and 11,000 miles - to which I've added a mere 80,000.

Apart from the usual wear and tear, the only significant replacements have been some air con piping this year and a power steering pipe last year. Coastal living and the inevitable corrosion probably account for both of those.

It's comfortable and reliable, but I'm starting to worry about parts availability (headlight 'glasses' had to be polished a few weeks ago in advance of the MOT test as they were going opaque - new ones were silly money).and the inmevitable costs and hassles of having it fixed.

After having been condescended to by a Honda dealer (really!) and more or less ignored by a Kia shop, Ford at least let me drive a new Fiesta, which was impressive - but felt too small after the Accord.

At what point do you decide to chop an old friend? And what do you buy when everything you can afford is bland, stuffed full of breakable electronic toys, feels like it's made out of sardine can grade tin and has a three pot lawnmower engine?

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Wed 2 Jul 2014 23:33

Any - Car change - Alby Back

Many a good tune played on an old fiddle.

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Thu 3 Jul 2014 11:53

Any - Car change - 72 dudes

Keep the V70 Barney.

Yes, the new Fiesta and Up are among the best of the new superminis and city cars, but even if you get a cracking deal you will lose at least £2000 in depreciation in Year 1. How much extra V70 motoring will that buy you?

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