Discussion
I bought myself a new Kia Pro Cee'd 7 months ago as a daily driver for £12.5k - the benefits were a good spec (leather, ESP, ABS, HID lights, MP3 iPod, Phone). it's cheap to insure, cheap to tax, fantastic warranty, nice styling with Ford Focus rivalling handling and very good build quality. I didn't finance it and it's paid for. It has now done 7.5k miles and is as new - not even a parking ding.
I've just lost my job due to redundancy and so has my wife (same company) and we have a baby due in 3 weeks time (Pro Cee'd is 3 door).
I'm wondering whether I should part/ex the new car and get a 6-8 year old decent 4 seat/4 door whatever and keep the difference between the two to perhaps finance a van for my possible new venture?
Bearing in mind that anything older may have issues & warranties are usually of no practical use when buying a used car. I'd probably look at BMW 3 or 5 series, Saab, Audi/VW, possibly Ford.
I'd probably lose about £4k in 7 months on the Pro Cee'd though.
What would you do - worth it or not?
I've just lost my job due to redundancy and so has my wife (same company) and we have a baby due in 3 weeks time (Pro Cee'd is 3 door).
I'm wondering whether I should part/ex the new car and get a 6-8 year old decent 4 seat/4 door whatever and keep the difference between the two to perhaps finance a van for my possible new venture?
Bearing in mind that anything older may have issues & warranties are usually of no practical use when buying a used car. I'd probably look at BMW 3 or 5 series, Saab, Audi/VW, possibly Ford.
I'd probably lose about £4k in 7 months on the Pro Cee'd though.
What would you do - worth it or not?
schmalex said:
Keep it. To change it, could mean buying into a sackful of trouble when you least need it.
I'd echo those sentiments. The last thing you'll need once the baby comes along is a tempermental car.Keep it and manage through until things settle down and you can look to change (if you thinky ou need to).
Are you allowed on PH with this car? Please tell me it's not a diesel!
Keep the car - it works, it warrantied, and it's paid for. Some of the bills you could land with a 5YO car can be eye-watering and you could do without that right now.
If the business venture is a real possibility then buy a cheap van to get started (or depending on the nature of the business use the car) and upgrade when it takes off - or lose nothing when it doesn't. You can always hire a van if you need the load space erratically.
Keep the car - it works, it warrantied, and it's paid for. Some of the bills you could land with a 5YO car can be eye-watering and you could do without that right now.
If the business venture is a real possibility then buy a cheap van to get started (or depending on the nature of the business use the car) and upgrade when it takes off - or lose nothing when it doesn't. You can always hire a van if you need the load space erratically.
OK, thanks folks - I was having similar thoughts but on the other hand thought that I could use the cash raised in chopping in the Pro Cee'd to part finance a van for business use.
I have no issues with the car though, it's been utterly reliable and is very well made, no issues with the 3 doors either as I'm less likely to have baby in my car but will sometimes. I have tried the seat and ISOFIX base and the seat is a bit of a squeeze between the seat and pillar but does fit OK. The boot is brilliant - stores the pram with ease.
I have no issues with the car though, it's been utterly reliable and is very well made, no issues with the 3 doors either as I'm less likely to have baby in my car but will sometimes. I have tried the seat and ISOFIX base and the seat is a bit of a squeeze between the seat and pillar but does fit OK. The boot is brilliant - stores the pram with ease.
olly22n said:
3 doors aren't that bad as you can get 'front-on' to the baby seat if that makes sense.
This is exactly our experience, my wife drives a 3 door Honda Civic and it was much easier to get the rear facing baby seat in and out of that than my 5 series touring.Don't take a bath on the depreciation...
Definitely keep the car, you are at the savage end of the depreciation curve at the moment. It's not worth selling at a huge loss- As you keep it for longer the depreciation will slow. And it's a known quantity, loads of warranty left...
...But if you're starting a new venture you can buy a cheap-as-chips van to get started!
...But if you're starting a new venture you can buy a cheap-as-chips van to get started!
The Crack Fox said:
What rotten news, good luck on the work front. I'd hang on to the car unless you're utterly skint.
Just lost my Mum suddenly the other day too 
It's been a really crappy year so far.
Looking forward to little one arriving and also making a success of what I decide to do instead of the career I've been stuck in for the past 2 decades!
Hoping that my Mum & Dad would be be proud of their little grandchild & my venture, if they were here to see them.
I certainly agree with all the advice and will be keeping the Pro Cee'd
You could always go to a dealer, see if you can do a straight swap for a 2nd hand Cee'd 5dr?
This sort of thing:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Same car, same piece of mind warranty, just that little bit more practicality?
It's refreshing to not hear you mention any redundancy packages in your plans.
They are best kept to pay mortgages, food etc while you get your new venture going...
This sort of thing:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Same car, same piece of mind warranty, just that little bit more practicality?
It's refreshing to not hear you mention any redundancy packages in your plans.
They are best kept to pay mortgages, food etc while you get your new venture going...
Edited by Beefmeister on Monday 21st March 15:16
Uhhm, hadn't thought of that tbh, thanks.
A SW a year or 2 older and a few more miles could be a good option.
Re, redundancy, I may well use a little of my package to help set myself up but I am getting an OK package and that combined with selling off my company shares tax free will help.
I certainly wouldn't go out and buy my dream car though
I completely agree, I will prob need all I can for the bills and mortgage over the next few months.
A SW a year or 2 older and a few more miles could be a good option.
Re, redundancy, I may well use a little of my package to help set myself up but I am getting an OK package and that combined with selling off my company shares tax free will help.
I certainly wouldn't go out and buy my dream car though
I completely agree, I will prob need all I can for the bills and mortgage over the next few months.
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