Scrap or Save - please help
Scrap or Save - please help
Author
Discussion

SamPet

Original Poster:

485 posts

226 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
Hi Everyone

I currently drive a very dull 1995 C280, which cost me next to nothing to buy.

It seems the water pump has gone so I called a Merc specialist and they've quoted £245 + VAT for the labour, plus parts at around £150 + VAT. (Can't be bother with doing the work myself as there's no access)

I also have to renew the insurance by 18th July (£620), tax this month (£195) & MOT this month (£50).

I can't afford all this (£1350)

Do I fix, MOT, tax and potentially service (as it has FSH even with 140,000miles) and sell ~ £750

Or do I just get rid?

Better the devil you know etc etc, but unfortunately I think the MOT could prove expensive as the bushes are on their way out.

Whatever it costs would be less than buying and insuring another car......

PLEASE HELP I'M CONFUSED.

Sam

SamPet

Original Poster:

485 posts

226 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
Bump

TonyRPH

13,544 posts

198 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
SamPet said:
Bump
You just need to weigh up the cost of replacing the car?

And how much would you need to spend on any replacement (you don't mention budget so assuming bangernomics)

Better the devil you know etc, etc.

Does it have loads of rust? Rust is always a killer for me - if it's rusty it gets sold...


Rude-boy

22,227 posts

263 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
if you can't aford the insurance and repairs on this how can you afford a new car, other than one that is about to fall off it's mortal coil, and the insurance for that?

Sounds like you really need to be looking in this forum:-


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

SamPet

Original Poster:

485 posts

226 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
Rude-boy said:
if you can't aford the insurance and repairs on this how can you afford a new car, other than one that is about to fall off it's mortal coil, and the insurance for that?

Sounds like you really need to be looking in this forum:-


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks!

Ollyc

745 posts

199 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
to be honest I'd chop it in against anything cheap from a dealers even if you only get a few ton for it, and try get something with a long ish MOT.


LeoZwalf

2,802 posts

260 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
If the car is not worth much money but worth a fair bit to you (i.e. weighing up the cost/convenience of finding & getting a replacement etc etc) then get it fixed but not at the Merc garage. Find an independent Merc specialist and he'll sort it for you for much less than the Merc garage will.

If you're somewhere around NW London then please drop me a PM as my father uses a very good guy in that area who will do a great job.

Leo

Mr Gear

9,416 posts

220 months

Wednesday 7th July 2010
quotequote all
Ebay it and buy something basic like a Fiesta or Corsa. Insurance will be cheaper and you can always flog that and get another Merc if funds allow later in the year.