2001 Avensis D4D; What would you do?

henryporter · 08-01-2011 7:17pm #1

So the aul' avensis that has served me well to the tune of 120,000 miles on top of the 60K when I bought her, needs to go in for a few repairs: bushings are shot on the front, timing belt will need doing, sunroof is jammed in a barely closed position and the electrics to the passenger door are frigged. And I have to pay the €600.00 extortionate road tax this month. Is now the time to look for something else?

Jimbob 83 · 08-01-2011 7:24pm

If you can afford a diesel in the new lower tax bracket i would go for it , sell the old girl and get a 4 year or so credit union loan and see what you can stretch to

kazul · 08-01-2011 7:28pm

Bushings, sunroof and electrics are a Haynes/DIY job. TB will cost a couple of hundred quid. You don't have to pay a full year road tax in one lump.
Consider your alternatives. If you can't afford to maintain your car, you most likely can't afford to trade up.
Check out the bangernomics thread for inspiration maybe.

kazul · 08-01-2011 7:30pm

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

If you can afford a diesel in the new lower tax bracket i would go for it , sell the old girl and get a 4 year or so credit union loan and see what you can stretch to

I guess OP's problem is that the car is worth frig all with all the work that needs doing on it. Although it is a diesel toyota so some farmer might cream his pants over it if he sees it on donedeal.

Jimbob 83 · 08-01-2011 7:31pm

Every car gets to the stage where you are just pissing money away though

Jimbob 83 · 08-01-2011 7:35pm

kazul wrote: »

I guess OP's problem is that the car is worth frig all with all the work that needs doing on it. Although it is a diesel toyota so some farmer might cream his pants over it if he sees it on donedeal.

True, but it's a buyers market atm so i wouldnt expect miracles when selling as if you do it private you will be dealing with sly part time car dealers or smug dealerships

Say the car is worth 2 grand and he gets a 50 euro a week or so credit union loan over 4 years thats 2000+(52x50)x4 10400 =12400 which in fairness will buy you a fairly nice car and might even stretch to a early 2008 avensis:)

kazul · 08-01-2011 8:00pm

@Jimbob, PM me the number of that credit union that doesn't charge interest please :cool:
None of the issues with the car are terminal, ok the TB is crucial. It really depends on what the OP wants, how much he has to spend etc.
What OP needs to do is "qualify" a deal by himself and then go out shopping if that's what he needs to do.
Seriously OP, get out pen and paper and do some simple math on repairing vs. changing and see what suits your circumstances best. Ask yourself some questions,
Do you really need a car?
What is car primarily used for?
What's important to you? Economy? Style? Reliability? Performance? Practicality?
Make a budget and stick to it.

2001 Avensis D4D; What would you do?

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