Apologies before we begin, this may be a long one. The better half has a Pug 206 which we are beginning to think is beginning to shuffle off this mortal coil
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=70...7
The car is a 206 Quiksilver on a 03 plate. It?s now done 160,000 miles and despite its full service history, life is catching up. It?s just had a service from a local garage, and their advice was that it?s probably got about 40k left in it, but it is going to start costing money. Specifically, it needs a new exhaust soon, it requires a new brake servo, the clutch while still ok is not going to last a huge lot longer. The reason given for 40k is that it is due a cambelt then and that?s probably not going to be economical. On top of this it?s turning into a rattly little sod, and it still seems to have a loose belt or two. Put it this way you can tell it?s a 160k engine. To add the piece-de-resistance it?s developed a habit of kangarooing and cutting out when cold. Now in my years I?ve driven worse, but she?s beginning to loose faith in it. She does 30k miles a year and needs a car all the time for work. She can?t be without one.
So what do I do? I?ve got so many thoughts I just can?t make my mind up. Our other car is an 02 Punto Speedgear, not the greatest but it was free and too it?s credit it?s proved a lot better and more reliable than I expected. Besides it?s just had a major service and a cambelt change, so it owes me.
We do have a third car back up in Scotland. My beloved 98 Micra, 173k miles and it never once broke down or gave me any grief. It?s been off the road since Jul 06, sitting in a garage, and started regularly. It got put off the road just after I had the front subframe replaced and had it MOT?s (thanks to a friend who is an ace welder). I reckon to put it back on the road it needs a new battery, new back box and then put through an MOT. I love this little thing, I?ve had it 8 years and put 130k miles on it without it missing a beat.
So my choices are:
One. Keep the 206, pay for what needs done and drive it until it dies. I?ve not problems with me driving the 206 and letting her have the Punto. However am I just chucking good money after bad.
Two. Go buy a new car, trading in the 206 and saving all that hassle of trying to sell it. I know there are some good deals out there, and the thought of buying my first new car is tempting? but do I want to be chucking money away in depreciation?
Three. Sell the 206 privately, and get a used replacement. I know it?s done big miles but cosmetically it?s lovely (once the dog has been valeted out) and if you knew what you were doing and could service it yourself it would be viable. However, I don?t have that ability. We have already looked at Mk 2 CR-V CTDis and that is once again dancing in my head.
Four. Sell the 206 privately, and stick the Micra back on the road. By far the cheapest option. I get a car I know and once again the Micra and I make out assault on 200,000 miles. Of course this is not at all glamorous, but we?ve all had soft spots for cars and this little baby is mine. This also means we can save money for a car at a later date, and yes I am sensible enough to do this.
Five. Do some thing a little crazy, Sell the 206 privately and but something I?ve wanted for a LONG while, a Mk1 MX-5. I could run it for a year or two and have loads of fun before I have to buy something sensible. However I do worry if this will take a 50 mile commute each day.
Six. Any other suggestions from backroomers?
As I said, the problem is compounded by the fact that we need both cars at all times, SWMBO can?t do without a car due to work. This means it?s difficult to sell one car then buy a second, or to run the 206 until it dies then get a replacement. Of course, I could use this as an excuse to put the Micra back on the road already as a third car?
So as you can see, I?ve got a lot to think about! Over to you.
Cheers
Douglas
Edited by Pugugly on 20/01/2009 at 21:14
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I think your options should all involve flogging the 206. There are some cars built to last from earth to moon: the Micra is one, but the 206 (in my opinion at least) isn't.
Unless I missed it, I don't think you've told us your budget or your own annual mileage. Pending this, I'd say the MX-5 option would be tempting; budget for keeping three cars on the road (which may indicate how much to spend on the MX-5), resurrect the Micra and keep it as a spare (I'd suggest getting it out and commuting in it say once a fortnight). You and other half could then share MX-5 and Punto for everyday.
Hope that helps.
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Easy choice.
The 206 sounds to have had its time and you accept that. Get the Micra back on the road to enable you to EBay the 206 with an honest description... you'll get more than you think if you mention the negatives but also promote the positives of an 03 206 for sensible money.
Once the 206 has gone and you are back to the two cars you know have a damn hard think about your own financial/jobs status plus what is happening to the UK before you leap into anything that commits to serious expense.
David
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After writing war and peace, I knew I'd forget something. Budget could be up to £10k, but me being me though I can afford it getting it out of me can be difficult :-)
As for my annual mileage, I don't really know yet. I've just moved down south to a new job and haven't quite figured it out yet. Previously I put 20k a year on my car, but my commute is now less than it was.
I'm kind of lucky in that in I've got an excellent new job in a very stable institution. A bit of me says, go on treat yourself, but another bit says be sensible.
I never felt that the 206 was anywhere near as well put together as the Micra. That car feels like it would never die. The front subframe was a biggie, but a guy at my old work can weld just about anything (his dad owns a land rover garage so he'd had plenty of practice!) and he did an excellent job cheaply. Damn thing still starts first turn of the key no matter how many weeks it's been sitting.
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Was gonna recommend the Micra till I saw you added it.
Buy another under 100k micra and bobs yer uncle fannys yer aunt.
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Couldn't agree more, the Micra has just never felt like it would let me down. The Pug on the other hand I've frankly never liked nor trusted.
Anyone willing to make a suggestion as to what should put it on eBay for? I plan to be brutally honest about it mechanically, but it is still in cosmetically good shape and looks the part if you like that sort of thing.
Cheers for everyone's assistance
Douglas
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"Anyone willing to make a suggestion as to what should put it on eBay for?"
Start it off an 99p - it'll soon run up to value.
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