Low mileage - long trip car? €12-14K

bbbbb

Looking for some thoughts on changing the car & what to get next.
We do low mileage, 8K miles a year, but most of those are long trips (e.g. Cork, Galway, Mayo).
The car is not used for commuting, but gets 1-2 short trips a week. Could also be sitting for a couple of weeks between trips.
Want a car that's comfortable for long trips, reliable, relatively cheap to run & maintain.
Not too concerned about brand (won't pay a premium for a badge), or "driver engagement".

Bought a 4 yr old honda accord petrol in 2008 for €10K, which we have been very happy with.
Car is still solid, but getting to the point where we're thinking of changing it.
Mileage is mid/high 30's at best and ~€700 road tax means a more modern car could also cost us less.

I think we'll have to increase the budget to €12-€14K to get similar standard (4 yrs old, say 2012 reg at this point), but not sure what to consider.

Started with Petrol, few choices here of that age that I can see:
- Honda civic 1.4
- VW Golf TSI

Started looking at hybrid, but I think something like a lexus CT200h would be out of budget.

Now beginning to consider diesel, costs look a bit higher, working down I see:
- honda accord again (but no longer as class leading?)
- Volvo s60
- (golf/civic)
- toyota avensis

Am I wrong to consider diesels? Any other models (of either) I should consider?
Thanks for your thoughts.

bazz26

bbbbb wrote: »

Looking for some thoughts on changing the car & what to get next.
We do low mileage, 8K miles a year, but most of those are long trips (e.g. Cork, Galway, Mayo).
The car is not used for commuting, but gets 1-2 short trips a week. Could also be sitting for a couple of weeks between trips.
Want a car that's comfortable for long trips, reliable, relatively cheap to run & maintain.
Not too concerned about brand (won't pay a premium for a badge), or "driver engagement".

Bought a 4 yr old honda accord petrol in 2008 for €10K, which we have been very happy with.
Car is still solid, but getting to the point where we're thinking of changing it.
Mileage is mid/high 30's at best and ~€700 road tax means a more modern car could also cost us less.

I think we'll have to increase the budget to €12-€14K to get similar standard (4 yrs old, say 2012 reg at this point), but not sure what to consider.

Started with Petrol, few choices here of that age that I can see:
- Honda civic 1.4
- VW Golf TSI

Started looking at hybrid, but I think something like a lexus CT200h would be out of budget.

Now beginning to consider diesel, costs look a bit higher, working down I see:
- honda accord again (but no longer as class leading?)
- Volvo s60
- (golf/civic)
- toyota avensis

Am I wrong to consider diesels? Any other models (of either) I should consider?
Thanks for your thoughts.

The logic of saving some money in fuel and motor tax by spending 12k to 14k on a new car is a bit flawed. It would probably take you about 10 years to break even at that rate. By all means change cars if you just want a newer/different car but your not going to save money short term by doing it.

So onto what to buy, have a look at the Toyota Auris and Prius hybrids, they will give you the same return if not better than a diesel regarding mpg but will be more suitable to your low mileage and cost of total ownership will be lower than on a modern diesel car. The Auris and Prius hybrids use the same drive train as the Lexus CT200H.

Atlantic Dawn

A modern car will depreciate by at least 50% every 3 years, if you can find any car for €12k that will save money from your current car I would love to know what it is.

bbbbb

Thanks for the replies. Yes obviously savings would only be in running costs.
I bought the accord intending to keep it until it wad 10yrs old, so I consider it fully depreciated and am willing to make a new "investment"
Thanks again

Red Kev

Your car is worth €2500 at best, let's say you're paying €12,500 for the new car, so it's an extra outlay of €10,000. I take it you'll hang on to the car for 4 years?

You'll have a number of costs to consider....

Interest on cash:You'll either have to borrow this €10,000, or, if you spend it from savings it's interest that you're missing out on.

Fuel: If you buy a diesel that does 50-55 mpg in the real world, on an annual mileage of 8,000 miles you'll save ca €320 per annum on fuel.

Tax: Let's say you get a car that's about €250 per annum to tax, a saving of €450 per annum. (Expect the gap in tax rates to close over the next 5 years).

Insurance: Go online and work out the difference between a 2012 Golf and you're present car and add this on.

Depreciation: Your biggest expense. Expect to loose €6,000 over 4 years here.

So you'll save about €3000 over 4 years on fuel and tax.

But you'll lose €6000 + interest paid/lost + difference on insurance.


You already own one of the most reliable cars going, you know this car and whether it's running well or slowly falling apart. My advice is that unless you aren't bothered about the extra outlay of about €1000 p.a. for a newer car (that you rarely use), I'd stick with the trusty servant that you have.

You're also buying a second hand car with all the unknowns associated iwth it. It could prove to be expensive.

BTW new, low emissions diesel cars are far more expensive to service and maintain than a 10 year old Accord, it's something I didn't calculate here as it's a big unknown.

Best of luck either way.

bbbbb

bazz26 wrote: »

So onto what to buy, have a look at the Toyota Auris and Prius hybrids, they will give you the same return if not better than a diesel regarding mpg but will be more suitable to your low mileage and cost of total ownership will be lower than on a modern diesel car. The Auris and Prius hybrids use the same drive train as the Lexus CT200H.

quick look on carzone, a 2012 Prius comes in at €18k and the (old shape, smaller) auris is €14k :eek:

colm_mcm

Prius/cr200 won't like repeated sitting up for weeks on end. Not good for the batteries.

JJJJNR

Run the accord for another 4 / 5 years, then get an alternative fuel car, which should have a massively increased range by then. I Personally (not related to the OP) think anyone buying a 2015 petrol/diesel is off their head with what is coming.

Idbatterim

Mileage is mid/high 30's at best and ~€700 road tax means a more modern car could also cost us less.

right and what will the borrowing costs be unless you have cash?

lets say you go to the E280 tax band. E400 "saved" there. What will the depreciation and loan interest (if applicable) cost?

JJJJNR

JJJJNR wrote: »

............ I Personally (not related to the OP) think anyone buying a 2015 petrol/diesel is off their head with what is coming.

All the mainstream manufacturers have development pipelines full of petrol & diesel powered cars so folks considering buying a 2015 petrol/diesel are far from off their head if they want/need an upgrade imo.