Advice needed - car or no car?

Kmc1602

Hi All,

Hope yo are all well. I am in a bit of a conundrum at present and looking for some advice. I have an 08 Vauxhall Astra which has given me its fair share of trouble over the years!! Alternaters going, oil leaks etc and recently burst pipes in fuel lines etc (or so i've been told)! Mechanic has advised today that I sell on the car or indeed trade it in for something newer.

Finances would be through the trusty credit union plus whatever I would potentially get for my own car ( I am aiming at looking for a total of approx. €8,000 to incl. my car and a CU loan).

Since I live in Dublin I was wondering do I really need a car given that PT is somewhat regular and I use it during the week on a daily basis. On the other hand there's alot to be said for one's own independence that can be had by a car.

Given that I know very little about purchasing cars and car knowledge, I have been told that buying cars up North can allow you to get them cheaper although VRT has to be added on. I am hoping someone here can lead me in the righ direction, as I am open to what cars are suggested if any. If I was to buy something ideally I would look for 2010+ but again be open to suggestions.

I am 28 and would travel down the country roughly twice a month. I would be looking for a Diesel model also.

If the above is vague please let me know, I am stuck between a hard place so any help or advice would be grately appreciated.

Many Thanks

Kmc1602

Four Phucs Ache

Sounds like very little mileage to be looking for a diesel.

If your not to sure about needing a car I wouldn't be throwing away 8-10k.

Buy a 04-06 Jap petrol for around 1500.Would be more than suitable for what you have outlined.

Nuw

^^ as above.

Also, do the math. Take every penny the astra has cost you over the years (and I do mean everything, insurance, petrol/diesel, maintenance, tax... every motor related bills), divide that by the miles you've done with it. You'll then have a pretty clear view of the actual cost of it is.

In Dublin you've several other solutions, there are rental companies available throughout the city, it might actually be less expensive to rent for your bi-monthly trip down the country. Also, an option that might suit you would be Go-Car (check their website). But again do the math for each solution.

If it does turn out that buying would turn out cheaper. Avoid diesel, you don't do the mileage justifying it. Given your usage, I'd avoid spending that kind of money in a car to be honest. Buy something cheap and cheerful that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to run. So, as above, anything small and Japanese will do, preferably petrol.

Kmc1602

Thank you for your replys, I will get cracking on some research tonight, I guess another concern would be losing my no claims bonus if I did rid the car, and insurance is only on the way up!! Thanks again

Nuw

Kmc1602 wrote: »

Thank you for your replys, I will get cracking on some research tonight, I guess another concern would be losing my no claims bonus if I did rid the car, and insurance is only on the way up!! Thanks again

Legitimate concern. Your no claim should be applicable for the next 2 years however (check with insurance company to be safe, but usually it's 2 years). So it should be OK, at least for now.

Idbatterim

depends on where you need to get to in dublin... How many days a week do you currently use your car? when in the country do you travel to?

Kmc1602

I would only use it mainly 3 days a week, and that'd be mainly to run to the supermarket or maybe the odd sunday trip to friends! I drive to Kilkenny and Cavan but probably once a month to one or the other! I mainly get the bus to work

bazz26

Whatever about needing a car, it certainly sounds like you don't need a diesel one anyway.