Upgrade to Diesel?

Stinicker

My sister currently commutes 100kms a day (50kms each way) and has been driving her 2005 Toyota Corolla 1.3 saloon petrol for the last three years now. I tried reasoning with her back then to buy a Diesel but she would not listen as she was commuting only 20kms from home, however she changed jobs in the meantime and quintupled her commute journey. However with the upwards spiraling cost of fuel, She now thinks it is time to take the short pain for long term gain and trade up to Diesel. A VW Diesel Golf or Jetta is in the pipeline for the new year either a 1.9 or 2.0 Tdi

The sums:

Her current car does 6.7litre/100km (42mpg) @ €1.42/litre = €9.52 daily

VW Diesel would do 5.1litre/100km (55mpg) @ €1.32/litre = €6.73 daily (saving €2.78 daily).

€2.78 x 5 x 48 = €669.00 saved on Fuel just for commuting in the year, the realistic savings would be closer to €800 or €900 as the car is not used solely for going to work.

Now factor in the lower Motor tax as it would a 2008 model she would buy in the co2 bracket to qualify for €156/year tax compared to €310 currently saving €154 a year effectively halving her Motor Tax bill.

The Corolla has 130,000kms (81,000mls) on the clock and is in good condition. We are asking ourselves the question on what to do, should the Corolla be traded in with a garage here against a 2008 VW or try a private sale and import from the UK?

The average price for Jettas in Ireland is hovering around €15k whereas a UK import despite the VRT etc. would save roughly €2k. Realistically the Toyota I think is worth about €6k with an outside change of getting maybe €7k as it is a 6 year old car in two weeks time. I wonder what sort of trade would an Irish garage offer for it against a VW €4.5, €5k?

Alanstrainor

If she really wants a new car then by all means. But you're not "gaining" anything. You'll lose out on a hell of a lot of cash to save very little on petrol and tax costs. If it's purely to save on petrol/tax it makes no sense imo.

GTE

Im a fan of the old school diesels. (not common road 2.0 TDI's)

The newer ones seem to have many problems.
Id imagine a good example of a Golf/Bora or even an Audi 1.9TDI would treat you well.

If your calculations of about a 950 to 1050 (fuel and tax) savings are realistic then taking the increased tax of a pre 2008 TDI into account would take 582 euro out of your pocket each year for the 1.9 engine. Sad thing about the old school diesels is the hike in road/motor (forgot the name ) tax.

Seweryn

Stinicker wrote: »

€2.78 x 5 x 48 = €669.00 saved on Fuel just for commuting in the year, the realistic savings would be closer to €800 or €900 as the car is not used solely for going to work.

Now factor in the lower Motor tax as it would a 2008 model she would buy in the co2 bracket to qualify for 56/year tax compared to €310 currently saving €154 a year effectively halving her Motor Tax bill.

The Corolla has 130,000kms (81,000mls) on the clock and is in good condition. We are asking ourselves the question on what to do, should the Corolla be traded in with a garage here against a 2008 VW or try a private sale and import from the UK?

The average price for Jettas in Ireland is hovering around €15k whereas a UK import despite the VRT etc. would save roughly €2k. Realistically the Toyota I think is worth about €6k with an outside change of getting maybe €7k as it is a 6 year old car in two weeks time. I wonder what sort of trade would an Irish garage offer for it against a VW €4.5, €5k?

To gain the annual savings of about €1,000 she needs to spend €10,000 if she is trading in the car in a garage (not including higher depreciation and service costs). If you take the depreciation into account - are there any savings achievable?

ottostreet

I think it's a very foolish thing to sell on what is a reliable (presumably) and economical petrol car., especially one of that age, and the manufacturer.

If you are serious about freeing up cash, sell the Corolla privately, and buy something like an early 00's 1.9TDI engined yoke.

But you will still have lost out on the depreciation of the Corolla.

I'm not really seeing many advantages to selling a 1.3 petrol car.

Bruthal

Alanstrainor wrote: »

If she really wants a new car then by all means. But you're not "gaining" anything. You'll lose out on a hell of a lot of cash to save very little on petrol and tax costs. If it's purely to save on petrol/tax it makes no sense imo.

Yes definitely right there. The money gone on any relatively new car is huge compared to the fuel/tax savings

Stinicker

Stinicker wrote: »

I tried reasoning with her back then to buy a Diesel but she would not listen as she was commuting only 20kms from home,

Your sister was a wise lady. Makes little sense to change now either if the only reason is to "save" cash.

Just out of interest, would a 05 Corrola really fetch €6000 ?

shawnee

Yeah, It never seems to amaze me why people spend 15 or 20 grand on a car to save 4/500 euro in road tax. This money will be lost in depreciation over a very short period. Friend of mine bought a Quashqai around two years ago for 24k. The tax saving was a big part of it. Probably lucky to get 12 for it next year. Saving on road tax 800 , depreciation around 12 grand.
And she's still trying to spell the bloody name of the car.
PRICELESS !!:D

ottostreet

shawnee wrote: »

Yeah, It never seems to amaze me why people spend 15 or 20......

Why doesn't it amaze you?