Going from a 03 to a 99/98, extra running costs and hassle?

Atomic Pineapple

I currently drive a 2003 1.4 Focus but I been thinking of changing to a 98/99 Mitsubishi Lancer or Colt Mivec (1.6) for ages now,

However being a student I've kept telling myself to just keep the focus until i finish college because i fear upkeep of a older car would be more expensive,

so i was wondering what kind of money would i be looking at to keep a mivec in top condition over a year? extra petrol costs are not a problem i want to know about servicing, getting parts et...

any help will be very much appreciated

D|R

Atomic Pineapple

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=342413

looking at something like that, anyone got an helpfull info?

Henry Ford III

Never go back in years.

heggie

its not the age of the car, its how well it has been looked after, in theory your 2003 focus could be in worse condition than a 98 lancer

Carb

Henry Ford III wrote:

Never go back in years.

I went back 3 years from a 00 1.2 Opel Corsa to a 97 2.2 Vtec Honda Accord. That said though, my reason was I wanted a larger more confortable car, and the accord has cruise control, a/c, full leather, all electrics. I also had €1000 change at the end, and intend driving it until it no longer can be repaired.

I don't know what the OP's reason for changing is. The car given as an example, just seems very expensive for an 8 year old car even if it does have a bonnet vent

pclancy

Lancers tend to be fairly solid, I know one of my mates had a few issues with a jap colt, some kind of electrical problem but i think in general they're a decent motor like all jap cars. Heggies right tho i wouldnt worry about the years its milage, service history and how well she's been driven that counts.

Carb nice motor I love those accords and the 2.2s are rockets!

Carb

pclancy wrote:

Carb nice motor I love those accords and the 2.2s are rockets!

And only cost me 2.5K with 76k miles:D

Gary ITR

Carb wrote:

I went back 3 years from a 00 1.2 Opel Corsa to a 97 2.2 Vtec Honda Accord.

Thats some jump!
Much difference in performance?:D

Carb

Onkle51 wrote:

Thats some jump!
Much difference in performance?:D

As big of difference as there is in fuel economy.:D

Seriously though, its nice to have the power there when your overtaking, and its not one of these cars that kind of encourage you to go faster, if you know what I mean.

colm_mcm

Lancers are a bit of a poor man's Civic?

JohnCleary

I was almost considering the same thing, but me being a student like you took the following into consideration:

Tax
Fuel
Insurance

... When I thought about it, I copped on, I simply could not afford it being a student. Students need to have fun, if I changed my car for something more powerful id have no social life and id probably end up in the priesthood for being so boring!

TempestSabre

I don't see the point myself. More cost and really only to buy a car thats only good point is that is nippy rather then a "special" driving experience. When all around you theres speed traps and points, you'd be better driving something smaller that more special. Unless you are going to Max Power it. Then theres no point giving you sane advice.

nxbyveromdwjpg

Henry Ford III wrote:

Never go back in years.

Absolute bollocks. In fact the opposite is true - always go by milage and condition, not just a digit on the reg plate.

If the milage on the carzone link there is genuine then you have absolute nothing to worry about in regards to extra running costs (esp it being a jap engine). Definately no problem getting parts, servicing etc for a Colt.

Just be ultra thorough checking everything before you buy - get it up on a ramp if possible aswell as all the usual stuff (ask for the auction sheet etc), but after all that I'd say go for it.

Sure whats an 03 Focus worth.. 14k or so? You'll have change left over to play with..

unkel

Carb wrote:

I don't know what the OP's reason for changing is. The car given as an example, just seems very expensive for an 8 year old car even if it does have a bonnet vent

LOL! Have to agree, €10k for an 8 year old Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 is ridiculous

@OP, why did you even consider that car?

TempestSabre

Boy racers love them. Fast and Furious was on the other night aswell.

HungryJoey

TempestSabre wrote:

Boy racers love them. Fast and Furious was on the other night aswell.

No, That was 2Fast2Furious

And that lancer for 10k looks brutal :x Stick with the focus or just get your self a Polo or Punto Or something.

Hj

John R

HungryJoey wrote:

No, That was 2Fast2Furious

And that lancer for 10k looks brutal :x Stick with the focus or just get your self a Polo or Punto Or something.

Or if you really want a hot Lancer save up for a few years and buy a real Evo not a fake one.


As far as running costs for older cars go IMO the age is not really that important. I have ran 8-15 year old cars for far less than the cost some of my mates have spent keeping 2-4 year old cars on the road.

If you pick the right car, one that has been looked after properly and is generally reliable to begin with then old and even high-mileage cars can be cheap to run as well as cheap to buy.

Atomic Pineapple

John R wrote:

Or if you really want a hot Lancer save up for a few years and buy a real Evo not a fake one.

Thats a good point but I was thinking what if i get too old and end up just driving a mondeo or something?

Just getting a bit bored with the focus so i was looking at the idea of changing to an older car with more power, was looking at civic's but there's loads of them around and they seem to be harder to insure.

as for the max power thing i dont want one thats done up or tries to look like an evo or whatever actually prefer ones like....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=342417

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=227123

pretty standard, am not into modified cars

maidhc

I wonder about those miles...

Also the "mivec" bit might mess up your insurance a little.

Nothing wrong with driving a mondeo, it has a more competent chassis than the lancer, and with the right engine a lot faster.

phoenix_nights

Used to own a '91 Lancer GTI. Of all the cars that i have owned from SAABs to Mercs to BMWs it is today one of the only cars that i still rave on about.

Drove that car like a madman (calmed down now) and never gave me any hassle.

If i ever get more space that will be one of my first purchases....

Atomic Pineapple

maidhc wrote:

I wonder about those miles...

Also the "mivec" bit might mess up your insurance a little.

Nothing wrong with driving a mondeo, it has a more competent chassis than the lancer, and with the right engine a lot faster.

well you know what i mean about the mondeo

i've asked about the mivec bit with my insurance company and to change is only €300 extra on top of what i paid for the focus insurance.

i just wanna have a little fun when i'm young, if a mivec isnt the way then any other suggestions?

maidhc

draffodx wrote:

i just wanna have a little fun when i'm young, if a mivec isnt the way then any other suggestions?

A focus TDCi

TempestSabre

HungryJoey wrote:

No, That was 2Fast2Furious ....

Both equally brutal...

TempestSabre

draffodx wrote:

...i just wanna have a little fun when i'm young, if a mivec isnt the way then any other suggestions?

Are we still talking about cars?

Atomic Pineapple

maidhc wrote:

A focus TDCi

not a bad idea must look into that

TempestSabre wrote:

Are we still talking about cars?

:d yes we are

lomb

mk iv golf td with the red i? very powerful but ul pay for it, or alternatively, a golf mk3 gti, great car and ul get it for buttons probably
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=333139

bp_me

draffodx wrote:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=342413

looking at something like that, anyone got an helpfull info?

Imagine how stupid you would feel the first time a real evo over takes your make believo.

If you want a lancer, the GSR is worth considering. Selling the focus should leave you enough money to purchase a gsr and insure it for the next two years (depending how much you pay for it of course).

draffodx wrote:

i just wanna have a little fun when i'm young, if a mivec isnt the way then any other suggestions?

What are you looking for? Something fast? Something that looks fast? Is fun a straight line or is fun a backroad?

If you are considering a colt mivec, also consider a vtec civic (ctr/sir), pug 106 gti, whatever the hot version of the saxo is called, starlet gt/glanza (insurance might be tricky on these), skyline, 180sx, s14 and so on. The list is really endless. If you could be clearer about what you want it would be helpful.

Atomic Pineapple

bp_me wrote:

Imagine how stupid you would feel the first time a real evo over takes your make believo.

If you want a lancer, the GSR is worth considering. Selling the focus should leave you enough money to purchase a gsr and insure it for the next two years (depending how much you pay for it of course).




What are you looking for? Something fast? Something that looks fast? Is fun a straight line or is fun a backroad?

If you are considering a colt mivec, also consider a vtec civic (ctr/sir), pug 106 gti, whatever the hot version of the saxo is called, starlet gt/glanza (insurance might be tricky on these), skyline, 180sx, s14 and so on. The list is really endless. If you could be clearer about what you want it would be helpful.

No it doesnt have to look fast just be relatively quick on acceleration really i wouldn't be too bothered about top speed.

was looking for a 106 gti but finding a good one that hasnt been modified or trashed about the place proved very difficult.

TempestSabre

Fiat Coupe? Seriously quick for the money.

Atomic Pineapple

I think a 1.6 petrol is as about as far as i can stretch my insurance