Not sure what we want (or need!)

Danbo!

Looking to change our current 07 focus 1.4l. I rarely drive it myself but my wife puts about 20,000km a year on it so it's costing us a few quid.

Thing is, it's used for a mix of commuting, short hops and long drives. At what point does diesel make sense? It's higher than average kms but not exactly motorway driving.

She drives from Dublin 24 to North circular road for work every day, sometimes through town, sometimes via M50. In work, she'd do a few short trips (~2-3km) most days within north dublin city, and maybe once a week will need to go outside of dublin, usually within Leinster.

I had been looking at 08-09 golfs for no other reason than I used to own a mk4 and loved it, and I recently had a spin in a TSI which was obviously worlds apart from the focus.

While I'd love for you guys to say TSI (or GTI ) would be the way to go, think it will have to be a sensible economic choice.

Budget is 9-10k plus whatever we get on trade in for the focus, I'd say we'd be lucky to get 4k for it. (130,000km on clock)

Ideally a biggish hatch (no issue with the right saloon either) with 5 doors as would like to hang onto it for 5 or 6 years. I've been looking at A3 sportbacks, golfs, insignias, Octavia's, everything, but I'm lost and no idea what engine/fuel makes sense!

Thanks!

dh0011

VW reliability isnt what it used be. Maybe a civic or corolla?

Bigus

Consider sticking with the focus if she's the main driver and is happy enough with it!

not worth spending 8 or 9 k for you to get some fun the odd time you drive it.

There's a good 7 years left in the focus with no huge maintenance due and it's a modern safe car .

What are you trying to achieve with any potential change ? Or am I missing something.

Danbo!

Bigus wrote: »

Consider sticking with the focus if she's the main driver and is happy enough with it!

not worth spending 8 or 9 k for you to get some fun the odd time you drive it.

There's a good 7 years left in the focus with no huge maintenance due and it's a modern safe car .

What are you trying to achieve with any potential change ? Or am I missing something.

I suppose what I'm really looking for is something more economic than 10-12L/100k. Maybe with that type of driving it will be uneconomical in any car? But as I type that I realise it's not worth 8 or 9k just for saving a few litres or petrol

Stheno

Danbo! wrote: »

I suppose what I'm really looking for is something more economic than 10-12L/100k. Maybe with that type of driving it will be uneconomical in any car? But as I type that I realise it's not worth 8 or 9k just for saving a few litres or petrol

I was pretty much going to say that tbh, I've had both diesels and petrol, now I'm a bit of a petrol fan now, but back in the days when I did a 120 mile a day commute diesel was the obvious choice.

You're doing a 70/30 mix of very short trips (mpg ****e on both petrol and diesel) and then 30% runs that max out your mpg.

Mileage wise you are on about 12.5k miles per year, so the lower end by far of where a diesel imo is economical and breaks even.

I'd stick with what you have now if you like it, or look at running costs and calculate true savings including purchase price for either a diesel or a car you'd really like and then decide.

Danbo!

Stheno wrote: »

I was pretty much going to say that tbh, I've had both diesels and petrol, now I'm a bit of a petrol fan now, but back in the days when I did a 120 mile a day commute diesel was the obvious choice.

You're doing a 70/30 mix of very short trips (mpg ****e on both petrol and diesel) and then 30% runs that max out your mpg.

Mileage wise you are on about 12.5k miles per year, so the lower end by far of where a diesel imo is economical and breaks even.

I'd stick with what you have now if you like it, or look at running costs and calculate true savings including purchase price for either a diesel or a car you'd really like and then decide.

So the real question is, what should I do with the 9k you just saved me

It never really occurred to me to keep the focus but it's a real option for another few years at least I suppose. Now to tell the missus she's not getting a new car...

Stheno

Danbo! wrote: »

So the real question is, what should I do with the 9k you just saved me

It never really occurred to me to keep the focus but it's a real option for another few years at least I suppose. Now to tell the missus she's not getting a new car...

Do you need a second car?

If not then why not use it to keep the focus in tip top condition, have a great holiday, upgrade to a super car that you'd both love, loads I'd do with 9k

Does your wife love her car? Would she like a newer car/different model even more?

Now bear in mind I drive a 00 petrol guzzler that on long trips give me 35 mpg but I love driving that car so much that if I won the lottery I'd probably still keep it, and make it the best example of it's model in the country

Danbo!

Stheno wrote: »

Do you need a second car?

If not then why not use it to keep the focus in tip top condition, have a great holiday, upgrade to a super car that you'd both love, loads I'd do with 9k

Does your wife love her car? Would she like a newer car/different model even more?

Now bear in mind I drive a 00 petrol guzzler that on long trips give me 35 mpg but I love driving that car so much that if I won the lottery I'd probably still keep it, and make it the best example of it's model in the country

Well she doesn't hate it and would prefer 9k, so yeah. I got rid of the golf as we had no need for 2 cars but probably will in the future when we have kids, probably makes sense to keep the focus as the second car and I can buy the rs4 I've always wanted in a few years

Stheno

Danbo! wrote: »

Well she doesn't hate it and would prefer 9k, so yeah. I got rid of the golf as we had no need for 2 cars but probably will in the future when we have kids, probably makes sense to keep the focus as the second car and I can buy the rs4 I've always wanted in a few years

There ya go so, I'd be having a nice holiday (mine would be a cruise in the fjiords) a bit of cash put away so ye can splash out on the new baby/pregnancy when it happens, and a bit put away for a baby friendly car (no reason unless it's a three door that the focus can't be family friendly so a bit of cash left for those unforseen things

Fierce sensible with other peoples money I am

Scortho

Danbo! wrote: »

So the real question is, what should I do with the 9k you just saved me

It never really occurred to me to keep the focus but it's a real option for another few years at least I suppose. Now to tell the missus she's not getting a new car...

9k and no kids.
I'd be getting a weekend car to have some fun in! Or go on an epic holiday.
Because when you have kids you won't be able to do either.

pcardin

Scortho wrote: »

Because when you have kids you won't be able to do either.

rubbish...

wonski

Are these 1.4 Ford engines so thirsty really? I gues your wife has a bit heavy foot:D Not sure a change of car will change it. The Focus you have is still modern enough and good looking car. If there is no troubles with it I am not sure if I would change right now. And definitely not because of the mpg.
Just another voice of spending the cash elsewhere, or not spending it at all, before the family is getting bigger than now.

JohnBoy26

dh0011 wrote: »

VW reliability isnt what it used be. Maybe a civic or corolla?

Those two have gone downhill a bit too.

Bigus

Danbo! wrote: »

So the real question is, what should I do with the 9k you just saved me

It never really occurred to me to keep the focus but it's a real option for another few years at least I suppose. Now to tell the missus she's not getting a new car...

What about me who suggested it first :eek:

Do a day up in rally school Ireland for a start.

Scortho

pcardin wrote: »

rubbish...

I know plenty of people who had to buy a more sensible car because kids came along.
Some lucky people manage to have the car they want, while others have to get rid of the m5 because of kids (happened to a user on here who sold his e 39 m5 due to the arrival of another child).
Id rather do the holiday or buy the car i always wanted, before having kids, than wish I had done it while I had the opportunity