Question r.e changing car that eats petrol or hang onto it while I save for something

galaxyminstrels

Currently driving an Opel astra 06. It doesn't give trouble but it is very hard on petrol and as my daily commute is two hours and I drive a lot at weekends. Im just looking for advise on whether to get a loan and change the car or else hold onto it. I would have 2000 upfront so would need a loan for the rest of the price if I was to change. I would be looking at maybe a 09 golf, focus or even the newer astra and obviously for me economy is the most important factor and would be going for a diesel version. Just trying to weight up different pros and cons about whether it makes sense to change now and get a loan or just hold into what I have and keep saving money to change hopefully this time next year. I am calculating that I am putting around 120-130 petrol in the car per week so surely there is some better option as I nearly cry when I see the dial move down so quickly ! Any ideas would be great.

Atlantic Dawn

When you say hard on petrol what mpg you talking? It should be getting around 40mpg I would think.

Best case scenario is likely a €40 a week saving on fuel and perhaps a €200 a year saving in motor tax. A 2009 Golf will loose atleast 3k in the first year of ownership in depreciation. If it was me I'd consider the purchase of a sub €5k diesel car if your whole aim of the change is to save money.

Zubeneschamali

galaxyminstrels wrote: »

Any ideas would be great.

Get a piece of paper and write down everything you spend on the car per year now. Then get another and write down how much you'll have to spend per year on a newish diesel.

I'd imagine the newer car will cost you thousands extra per year, which should make your mind up.

kaahooters

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Get a piece of paper and write down everything you spend on the car per year now. Then get another and write down how much you'll have to spend per year on a newish diesel.

I'd imagine the newer car will cost you thousands extra per year, which should make your mind up.

is this including the cost of changing the car, or just the actual running costs? (tax, insurance ect ect)

Jimdagym

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Get a piece of paper and write down everything you spend on the car per year now. Then get another and write down how much you'll have to spend per year on a newish diesel.

I'd imagine the newer car will cost you thousands extra per year, which should make your mind up.

If everyone took this approach, no one would ever buy a newer car.

Anan1

Jimdagym wrote: »

If everyone took this approach, no one would ever buy a newer car.

If the aim is to save money they'd be quite right.

Zubeneschamali

Jimdagym wrote: »

If everyone took this approach, no one would ever buy a newer car.

I've never bought a new car to try and save money.

But i have bought lots of new and newish cars.

Zubeneschamali

kaahooters wrote: »

is this including the cost of changing the car, or just the actual running costs? (tax, insurance ect ect)

Total costs, including depreciation and finance.

Blowing 3K per year on depreciation and finance to save 1K in petrol is a false economy.

Stinicker

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Total costs, including depreciation and finance.

Blowing 3K per year on depreciation and finance to save 1K in petrol is a false economy.

It really depends on how long the guy would intend to keep his new car? I have my own car 6 years this month and it is now 15 years old and worth around €800, I too am thinking of changing for a better model on fuel.

If your the sort of person who changes the car frequently then of course it will hit you but if you buy as a long term car then it will be grand.

sentient_6

galaxyminstrels wrote: »

Currently driving an Opel astra 06. It doesn't give trouble but it is very hard on petrol and as my daily commute is two hours and I drive a lot at weekends. Im just looking for advise on whether to get a loan and change the car or else hold onto it. I would have 2000 upfront so would need a loan for the rest of the price if I was to change. I would be looking at maybe a 09 golf, focus or even the newer astra and obviously for me economy is the most important factor and would be going for a diesel version. Just trying to weight up different pros and cons about whether it makes sense to change now and get a loan or just hold into what I have and keep saving money to change hopefully this time next year. I am calculating that I am putting around 120-130 petrol in the car per week so surely there is some better option as I nearly cry when I see the dial move down so quickly ! Any ideas would be great.

There is certainly no point on one hand complaining on fuel comsumption but on the other consisder an investment to 'move up the years' & go diesel.

Between your 2000 cash & interest on your loan you'll be hard pressed to ever see the fuel savings.

At the very least in my opinion you should consider a diesel for whatever price you can get for your astra privately, keeping the cost to change a a minimum.