New car sales 75% via PCP
Discussion
Derek Smith said:
V8 Fettler said:
Buy two classic Range Rovers Derek.
I've got a mate who runs a classic V8 Landy. He spends more on it each year than I do on my two cars. Mind you, he gets a lot of fun from it. It is certainly tempting. I was thinking of buying a straight 6 W124 Merc. I used to have a 2.8 but in those days did a lot of miles running my lad to rugby matches all over the country. I once got 17mpg on a 'fast' run back to Brighton from the Gower. Now mpg wouldn't be as much of a factor. But that's for second cars. I need something for day to day pottering. I really like my Focus. Reliable, quiet, not too slow and with enough room, but old. The suspension feels a bit wallowy, but the MoT chap reckoned it was OK 'for another year or two at least'. I was going to buy a new one a couple of years or so ago but the dash put me off. The current one is much better in that respect. I haven't yet driven one as I know as soon as I do I'll buy it.
One Real Range Rover for daily use and one for best.
Willy Nilly said:
If you are not in a hurry to replace it, just keep your eye open for a good deal on a car you want/like. As it sounds like it is your second car, I'd be inclined to run it into the ground and just cough up when it finally dies.
I don't buy the thinking that because a car is only "worth" a few hundred quid that biggish bill can render it uneconomical to repair. My reasoning is that, yes, a £500 bill on a £500 car seems like you could buy another car for the 500 quid, but the another car could well also cough up and equally big bill. So my thinking is when the annual repair bills, over and above service items, exceed the annual depreciation, it's time for a change, but buy something significantly better and repeat. The caveat being, that the vehicle must be capable of getting between services without repair, this is largely down to how it gets maintained.
However, if you are 70 as you say, in good physical health and financially sound, it would be perfectly acceptable to "waste" a little money on a car you don't really need if you fancy it.
Thanks for that. I'll print off the final paragraph. I don't buy the thinking that because a car is only "worth" a few hundred quid that biggish bill can render it uneconomical to repair. My reasoning is that, yes, a £500 bill on a £500 car seems like you could buy another car for the 500 quid, but the another car could well also cough up and equally big bill. So my thinking is when the annual repair bills, over and above service items, exceed the annual depreciation, it's time for a change, but buy something significantly better and repeat. The caveat being, that the vehicle must be capable of getting between services without repair, this is largely down to how it gets maintained.
However, if you are 70 as you say, in good physical health and financially sound, it would be perfectly acceptable to "waste" a little money on a car you don't really need if you fancy it.
It's not that I'm in a hurry but that I'm an inveterate planner. I have a car nearing the end of its useful life so need to have options for various circs.
I look after my cars: serviced regularly, any problems sorted as soon as, that sort of thing, and everything works on demand (ah! the memory of that for me).
I've had my first big bill, although not for a fault 'cause discs wear out, but it suggests other items might be drawing their last breath.
I do take your point though. There haven't been massive strides in safety, performance or comfort over the 10 years since my Focus was produced so there's little pressure to change for that reason and the Focus I drove 2 years ago was more or less identical to the one I had, apart from a dreadful dash.
On the other hand, I'd like a new car. Utterly pathetic I know, but that's me.
V8 Fettler said:
For a man approaching middle age with your declared historical injuries Derek, you do well to contort yourself into and out of a cramped Ford Focus.
One Real Range Rover for daily use and one for best.
I've just seen this post. One Real Range Rover for daily use and one for best.
'approaching middle age', now that's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me, at least since my last birthday. I've got two children who have reached middle age, and one acts it. Very depressing.
I know what you are saying about the Rangy. I met a few classic owners when I was writing my book on the RV8 engine and they were really pleasant blokes. A bit weird but, as my wife said when she came to a burger and coffee day with them, I'd fit right in. One chap dragged me over to his Landy with an RV8, opened the bonnet and pointed to the engine and said, in muted tones, 'Isn't it beautiful'. At last the truth can be told as I admit to telling lies at the time: no, it wasn't. It was filthy.
I've been to an off road day as a spectator and it looked great fun, whether despite or because of the heavy, continuous rain I'm not so sure. I went there to take some piccies with my then new camera. I tucked the umbrella down the front of my anorak as I do when out in the rain with a camera and the wind lifted it up and away. Everyone laughed. Well, I say everyone. I didn't.
I am tempted. I flick through the magazines in WH Smith but I do 12,000 miles a year as I follow my rugby club. I know how thirsty an RV8 can be.
When I was selling my Chimaera a chap phoned in answer to my ad, asked a few questions and then said: How many miles to the gallon does it do? I told him not to bother with a V8 TVR and to get an MX-5.
I'm reluctant to make any concession to my age. I know I've got a duff leg and a bad back but if I give into my problems they'll only get worse, at least that's my experience with dogs.
jsf said:
Derek Smith said:
I have a car nearing the end of its useful life
At 70k miles you don't Derek.If you fancy a change that's fair enough but so long as its been looked after it's not even half way through its useful life.
I think Derek should treat himself
Borroxs said:
oyster said:
Sheepshanks said:
SystemParanoia said:
At work, those who get company cars don't get a choice of car ( but can chose colour and spec )
but 90% of them are zero contribution and only BIK to pay at around £50 per month.
I need to get myself one of those! no insurance worries, no maintenance, and 40p per mile on fuel.
People who get company cars don't get 40p mile for fuel.but 90% of them are zero contribution and only BIK to pay at around £50 per month.
I need to get myself one of those! no insurance worries, no maintenance, and 40p per mile on fuel.
If its a company car, you get 12-15p a mile, typically.
Tell me what companies pay you to do 40p a mile in something you don't own.....
Willy Nilly said:
jsf said:
Derek Smith said:
I have a car nearing the end of its useful life
At 70k miles you don't Derek.If you fancy a change that's fair enough but so long as its been looked after it's not even half way through its useful life.
I think Derek should treat himself
If you care about the environment, dumping cars before their life cycle is finished isn't the answer. The largest environmental impact is during the manufacturing stage.
The problem is the modern way of life doesn't really care about that and cant function if we did, the economy would collapse. The pressure is to always want the next shiny new object, even if that happens to be an inferior product due to legislation changes.
I agree if Derek fancies a change, then just go for it, you only live once, but to use the idea that the car is almost ready for the scrappers is far from the mark unless its been abused.
oyster said:
Borroxs said:
oyster said:
Sheepshanks said:
SystemParanoia said:
At work, those who get company cars don't get a choice of car ( but can chose colour and spec )
but 90% of them are zero contribution and only BIK to pay at around £50 per month.
I need to get myself one of those! no insurance worries, no maintenance, and 40p per mile on fuel.
People who get company cars don't get 40p mile for fuel.but 90% of them are zero contribution and only BIK to pay at around £50 per month.
I need to get myself one of those! no insurance worries, no maintenance, and 40p per mile on fuel.
If its a company car, you get 12-15p a mile, typically.
Tell me what companies pay you to do 40p a mile in something you don't own.....
jsf said:
What lifecycle do you think these cars are designed for? They no longer disappear in a ball of rust and the none ferrous materials don't deteriorate like they used to with natural rubbers.
If you care about the environment, dumping cars before their life cycle is finished isn't the answer. The largest environmental impact is during the manufacturing stage.
The problem is the modern way of life doesn't really care about that and cant function if we did, the economy would collapse. The pressure is to always want the next shiny new object, even if that happens to be an inferior product due to legislation changes.
I agree if Derek fancies a change, then just go for it, you only live once, but to use the idea that the car is almost ready for the scrappers is far from the mark unless its been abused.
I'm not suggesting the car's ready to be scrapped, only that it will be too expensive to put it back to the condition I want. One of the problems with modern suspension systems is that they wear. Gradually and over time, but they wear. Flexing is all built in so there's a certain degree of wear that goes on. It's never just the one bit that's flexing. So if I pay for new front rubbers, that's not cheap and will show up the poor suspension on the rears, which I will want to change. In the old days I'd replace the top and bottom joints on the front for a few pounds. Those days are long gone.If you care about the environment, dumping cars before their life cycle is finished isn't the answer. The largest environmental impact is during the manufacturing stage.
The problem is the modern way of life doesn't really care about that and cant function if we did, the economy would collapse. The pressure is to always want the next shiny new object, even if that happens to be an inferior product due to legislation changes.
I agree if Derek fancies a change, then just go for it, you only live once, but to use the idea that the car is almost ready for the scrappers is far from the mark unless its been abused.
I reckon I could get a couple of thousand for a low mileage, 2-litre Focus estate in very good condition. That's just enough to have the front suspension renewed.
At the moment I've got the money. In two years' time?
Derek Smith said:
jsf said:
What lifecycle do you think these cars are designed for? They no longer disappear in a ball of rust and the none ferrous materials don't deteriorate like they used to with natural rubbers.
If you care about the environment, dumping cars before their life cycle is finished isn't the answer. The largest environmental impact is during the manufacturing stage.
The problem is the modern way of life doesn't really care about that and cant function if we did, the economy would collapse. The pressure is to always want the next shiny new object, even if that happens to be an inferior product due to legislation changes.
I agree if Derek fancies a change, then just go for it, you only live once, but to use the idea that the car is almost ready for the scrappers is far from the mark unless its been abused.
I'm not suggesting the car's ready to be scrapped, only that it will be too expensive to put it back to the condition I want. One of the problems with modern suspension systems is that they wear. Gradually and over time, but they wear. Flexing is all built in so there's a certain degree of wear that goes on. It's never just the one bit that's flexing. So if I pay for new front rubbers, that's not cheap and will show up the poor suspension on the rears, which I will want to change. In the old days I'd replace the top and bottom joints on the front for a few pounds. Those days are long gone.If you care about the environment, dumping cars before their life cycle is finished isn't the answer. The largest environmental impact is during the manufacturing stage.
The problem is the modern way of life doesn't really care about that and cant function if we did, the economy would collapse. The pressure is to always want the next shiny new object, even if that happens to be an inferior product due to legislation changes.
I agree if Derek fancies a change, then just go for it, you only live once, but to use the idea that the car is almost ready for the scrappers is far from the mark unless its been abused.
I reckon I could get a couple of thousand for a low mileage, 2-litre Focus estate in very good condition. That's just enough to have the front suspension renewed.
At the moment I've got the money. In two years' time?
Whatever you do its going to cost you money, I would expect a freshen up on dampers and the odd bush will be a lot less than a new car will cost over the useful lifetime of the two options.
Obviously doing that wont get you a shiny new thing though.
rxe said:
V8 Fettler said:
...writes the man with a Fiat.
No. Write the man with 7 Fiats.... :-)Derek Smith said:
When I was selling my Chimaera a chap phoned in answer to my ad, asked a few questions and then said: How many miles to the gallon does it do? I told him not to bother with a V8 TVR and to get an MX-5.
A friend and neighbour of ours a few years back was part of a family that owns a local hair salon empire. Her (then) husband - also a hairdresser - was looking at a new car, trying to choose between a Chimaera or an MX-5. Having been asked advice on the matter, by her, I offered to take him for a spin in my Griff on one of my local A & B road loops. I mistook his vehicle choice for an interest in spirited driving - he was visibly shaken by the experience, trembling and white as a sheet when we got home, although never once complained during the journey. I got a b
king from my wife who was witness to this latter point.Needless to say he did, actually, buy an MX-5.
V8 Fettler said:
Seven is a good number, virtually guarantees the operational availability of at least one and permits surreptitious addition to the collection under the watchful gaze of those who might criticise.
Indeed. A bit of colour consistency helps as well. I did manage to park a new (to me...) GTA slap in front of the house for 2 days before she noticed. In fact she only noticed because the wing was dented when i got it, she asked me when I bashed the car....Back to the Focus.
If you just want a change - go do it. You can't take it with you and all that.
Looking at Autotrader suggests you'd get about 2.5 - 3 for the current car. That would cover the deposit on a new one. You then have a year of monthly payments - say £250 a month. That's £3K a year.
So, at the end of year one you either have:
- A nice new-ish car you don't own, and a £3k hole in your bank account.
or
- Your old car and £3000 in your pocket. Hell, you could put it on KW coilovers for that sort of money!
I know what I'd do, but then I'm a complete skinflint.
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