Is it worth changing my car?

[Sonofabeesting]

So I currently have a MK4 golf V6 4Motion.

We only used it for shopping trip and seeing friends so the fuel consumption was not an issue.

Now my wife needs to commute 35 miles a day for her new job.

When summer comes around she is going to get a motorbike so it just for the winter.

Is it a case of better the devil you know and the saving in fuel wont be much because the limited time is going to commute. Also we were looking at a Clio 172, is the fuel consumption going to be much better? It will be mostly motorway driving.

As we can not afford any downtime between cars I fear we may have to go to a dealer to get rid and get a new car. This is going to lose us more money as well.

Any advice?

[Rob_F]

Keep it keep it keep it.

[winshent]

Keep it... unless your going to make significant savings on fuel, tax and insurance.. which i doubt..

[rovermorris999]

The cheapest car is nearly always the one you own. Depreciation and the cost to change will take many moons to recoup through lower running costs.

[TriumphVitesse]

Keep it, if you buy a Clio 172 it will break as its French.

[Cost Captain]

if you do want rid let me know i have a mate whos after a mk4 4 motion!

[Gruber]

The 4Motion I had last winter was pretty unstoppable in the snow - I was really impressed.

Can't really see the sense in chopping in a very good winter car, just before winter, to get something that will be worse.

Keep it!

[Tycho]

What fuel consumption do you get now?

My 182 averages 34mpg and my commute is 40 miles each way with the majority being 80-90 on the motorway with an A road blast at each end.

[NateWM]

I had the pleasure of driving a 172 around for a couple of weeks while a friend was on holiday. Fantastic car to drive in terms of outright pace and handling, but I hated it on the Motorway. I got back ache after an hour or so of driving, and the "Bus driver" position and noisy cabin made me go nuts.

Keep the golf.

[Bluebarge]

If it's a 35 mile commute on motorways then, provided it's not the M25 (circular car park) you will probably get better mpg than you do now. I would keep it unless you are going to buy something diesel which is cheaper than the trade-in price you get for the golf - otherwise you are likely to lose more on the trade than you will gain at the pumps.

[Tycho]

The Crack Fox said:

Do the maths on the difference in fuel consumption, factor in the inevitable French breakdowns, see if you're any better off. You won't be. Stick with the Golf.

My 182 is far more reliable than my wifes passat... Only had to replace the lambda sensor on the clio over 5 years but the steering rack on the passat lasted about a month.

[Ozzie Osmond]

IMO it is virtually impossible ever to "save" money by buying a new car.

[tonys]

Keep it. Fuel costs are generally a small part of the overall cost of running a car. If the plan is to change again in about 6 months you will almost certainly lose more on depreciation than you pay extra in fuel - especially if you buy from a dealer.