Do I buy a run about or not??

[merc180k]

Hi folks,

Having a debate with Mrs merc180k at the moment. Recently moved company and working mainly from Glasgow these days rather than Edinburgh.

Cost wise I can get a bus from Harthill (one of these Citylink jobs) for £100 is a month, but now have decided to work from Edinburgh 2 maybe 3 days a week.

Question is.... when I work the 2 days in Wiegeland, do I get myself a cheap runabout to pile the miles on? (Round trip from Livingston 60ish miles). Thinking a diesel, smallish engine for excellent mpg. Tight budget - thoughts......??

 

[gaz_l]

I had a Citroen ZX diesel a few years ago when impoverished (had just bought my first house).. I hated it for being so sluggish but regardless of how much I thrashed it it would never do less than 50 MPG.

It had 183000 on the clock when I got it and 191000 when I sold it on a year later. It never let me down despite the abuse I heaped on it, and apart from getting it serviced when I bought it, it didn't cost me a penny other than filling it up.

Driving enjoyment 2/10, cheap transport - can't fault it.

HTH,

Gaz

 

[gina2201]

I used to have a MK4 6N polo N reg onwards shape and it was a 1.0 and it did 50mpg on petrol at £1+/litre and was a nice comfy drive! Sometimes wish I still had it....

 

[merc180k]

I had a Citroen ZX diesel a few years ago when impoverished (had just bought my first house).. I hated it for being so sluggish but regardless of how much I thrashed it it would never do less than 50 MPG.

It had 183000 on the clock when I got it and 191000 when I sold it on a year later. It never let me down despite the abuse I heaped on it, and apart from getting it serviced when I bought it, it didn't cost me a penny other than filling it up.

Driving enjoyment 2/10, cheap transport - can't fault it.

HTH,

Gaz

Used to own a zx 1.8 turbo when I was at uni - loved it - all electric with the keypad immobiliser.
Want something cheap on insurance too if I'm to win over "her in charge!"

Any other thoughts people?

 

[wemorgan]

I'm another former Citroen ZX owner. Can't fault it as a cheap run around. I'm sure the Xsara is similar. The Xsara also comes with the more modern 2.0HDi engine.

I've been in a similar situation myself. I concluded that unless my car was especially exotic or a classic that the cheapest option was just to put the miles on my original car.

 

[merc180k]

I'm another former Citroen ZX owner. Can't fault it as a cheap run around. I'm sure the Xsara is similar. The Xsara also comes with the more modern 2.0HDi engine.

I've been in a similar situation myself. I concluded that unless my car was especially exotic or a classic that the cheapest option was just to put the miles on my original car.

Thanks Will.

Must admit have thought about that, but with a 1.8 kompressor engine in the beast, my average mpg is about 28-30 and am getting about 380 ish miles to a full tank. Makes this car too expensive to consider.

BUT I'M NOT SELLING IT MRS MERC180K!!! DON'T GO THERE!!

(Sorry - was just in case she is listening!!)

 

[wemorgan]

Very roughly:
30mpg=15ppm.
60 miles per trip, twice a week = 120 miles / week
So currently you spend = £18 / week
Working 46 weeks per year = £828

So if you bought a car that could do 60mpg you would save £414 / year.
Factor in tax and insurance and the cost of buying and running a second car soon look less favourable.

You've got a good car in the C180K. I presume you enjoy driving it, so I say keep on driving it

 

[Adam230K]

Just use your damn car, thats what its there for! At least you'll enjoy every mile you do

 

[Sp!ke]

Am I understanding this right? You're taking of a 60 mile commute, twice a week and thinking of getting a second car to do it in to save money?

 

[merc180k]

Am I understanding this right? You're taking of a 60 mile commute, twice a week and thinking of getting a second car to do it in to save money?

Only because I refuse to part with the merc.

Simply debating the options - my thoughts were along the lines of a cheap fiesta or the likes - diesel to save cash at the pumps vs miles to the tank - v cheap on insurance, higher mileage when bought and if it then died 2 years from now - so what.

Not sure but fun debating and winding her up so much about it!

 

[gina2201]

240 miles a week isn't all that much, isn't it pretty much average mileage really. Would it be any financially cheaper (in the short or long run) to buy another car and all associated costs?

Personally I'd carry on using my own car!

 

[A210AMG]

I would use what you have.

You have a hard day, tired and want to get home...

The thought of jumping in a serveral year old bagor doesn't help. Especial a diesal. Saftey on the motorways also? air bags, ABS etc...


Nope use your Merc, add the miles and enjoy it. All our cars are losing a bucket anyway. I would rather lose it in the car I have worked hard to own and enjoy it than in a bangor.

Sorry but my view....

 

[219]

190 Diesel , buy one now for say £500 ; in two years it will still be worth £500 . Insurance is cheap , it'll put a smile on your face when you drive it . If someone in Weegieland gives it a 'Glasgow Kiss' you won't cry about it ( or maybe you will ? ) ......

And you can leave your other car at home for the wife to use .

 

[Smiley]

I would use what you have.

You have a hard day, tired and want to get home...

The thought of jumping in a serveral year old bagor doesn't help. Especial a diesal. Saftey on the motorways also? air bags, ABS etc...


Nope use your Merc, add the miles and enjoy it. All our cars are losing a bucket anyway. I would rather lose it in the car I have worked hard to own and enjoy it than in a bangor.

Sorry but my view....

Spot on. 240 miles a week is nothing; it will do it more good than sitting on the drive and doing 2 miles to the shops.

 

[Dieselman]

Very roughly:
30mpg=15ppm.
60 miles per trip, twice a week = 120 miles / week
So currently you spend = £18 / week
Working 46 weeks per year = £828

So if you bought a car that could do 60mpg you would save £414 / year.
Factor in tax and insurance and the cost of buying and running a second car soon look less favourable.

You're forgetting costs other than fuel, but I do agree with you. For this mileage just drive the car.

 

[st4]

Don't buy another car merc180k. The 260odd miles p/m is bugger all. Just use it and enjoy it, for that sort of small milliage (60miles/day) you'll never recoup the costs of a banger, nor will you be as safe (motorway speeds in a rotten old snotbox) or feel as rewarded (much nicer to travel in a nice, reliable comfortable car).

I live in Helensburgh and looked at jobs in Edinbugh (140mile/day round trip) and didn't even consider another car, nothing does big distance like a nice comfy car.

In the end I do a 32 mile round trip to Clydebank and its fine. Car likes been run everyday and it justifies its outlay (I'm on an HP).

However if you bought your car on a PCP and there is a low milliage limit you may well find that you'll now exceed it, and incur milliage fines.

 

[lynall]

Tax, insurance, mots, servicing, breakdowns times two, its a no brainer.



Lynall