Running a banger and a lease car in parallel
Discussion
Hope the title is fairly clear but for clarity sake I currently drive a car which is firmly in banger status territory albeit in good mechanical condition with a number of internal and external 'war wounds' due to being used for anything and everything..shopping, tip drops, transporting heavy building materials the lot.
The car is worth no more than £600 privately maybe I'd get upto £800 if lucky however I've owned it last 10 years and it's starting to show its age and whilst the mileage is low for it age (75k on a 16yr old car) I think more issues will start to crop up and impact reliability.
I have a general mistrust of newer/modern cars in that I don't find them as reliable as older cars due to cost cutting and borkage potential much higher due to complexity and hence cost of repairs. Additionally I tend to be wary of leasing due to risk of the car being dinged by those who either don't care or simply are crap drivers with a lack of spatial awareness and/or parking ability but also the fact you have nothing to show at end of said lease.
However now find myself contemplating keeping the banger and running a lease car in parallel for the longer trips to see family etc I won't kid myself on cost and accept it will be more expensive but the idea of a banger for shopping, tip trips and a park-anywhere car while having a nicer lease car for longer trips where comfort/safety/reliability is more important is appealing. Additionally the warranty of the lease car means I'm more at ease for any potential issues if they crop up.
Does anyone have a similar setup and if so why? Also was/is it worthwhile based on your experience? The only downsides I see are extra costs and hassle of having two cars taking up space outside.
The car is worth no more than £600 privately maybe I'd get upto £800 if lucky however I've owned it last 10 years and it's starting to show its age and whilst the mileage is low for it age (75k on a 16yr old car) I think more issues will start to crop up and impact reliability.
I have a general mistrust of newer/modern cars in that I don't find them as reliable as older cars due to cost cutting and borkage potential much higher due to complexity and hence cost of repairs. Additionally I tend to be wary of leasing due to risk of the car being dinged by those who either don't care or simply are crap drivers with a lack of spatial awareness and/or parking ability but also the fact you have nothing to show at end of said lease.
However now find myself contemplating keeping the banger and running a lease car in parallel for the longer trips to see family etc I won't kid myself on cost and accept it will be more expensive but the idea of a banger for shopping, tip trips and a park-anywhere car while having a nicer lease car for longer trips where comfort/safety/reliability is more important is appealing. Additionally the warranty of the lease car means I'm more at ease for any potential issues if they crop up.
Does anyone have a similar setup and if so why? Also was/is it worthwhile based on your experience? The only downsides I see are extra costs and hassle of having two cars taking up space outside.
Edited by VR99 on Wednesday 18th December 11:37
I can see the logic of having a banger for tip runs smelly dogs and bags of concrete, but I suspect you will end up using the new car at all other times.
Why?
Better comfort more extras/ luxuries better safety probably more economical better ride etc.
Why travel second class when you are paying for first?
Why?
Better comfort more extras/ luxuries better safety probably more economical better ride etc.
Why travel second class when you are paying for first?
VR99 said:
Hope the title is fairly clear but for clarity sake I currently drive a car which is firmly in banger status territory albeit in good mechanical condition with a number of internal and external 'war wounds' due to being used for anything and everything..shopping, tip drops, transporting heavy building materials the lot.
The car is worth no more than £600 privately maybe I'd get upto £800 if lucky however I've owned it last 10 years and it's starting to show its age and whilst the mileage is low for it age (75k on a 16yr old car) I think more issues will start to crop up and impact reliability.
I have a general mistrust of newer/modern cars in that I don't find them as reliable as older cars due to cost cutting and borkage potential much higher due to complexity and hence cost of repairs. Additionally I tend to be wary of leasing due to risk of the car being dinged by those who either don't care or simply are crap drivers with a lack of spatial awareness and/or parking ability but also the fact you have nothing to show at end of said lease.
However now find myself contemplating keeping the banger and running a lease car in parallel for the longer trips to see family etc I won't kid myself on cost and accept it will be more expensive but the idea of a banger for shopping, tip trips and a park-anywhere car while having a nicer lease car for longer trips where comfort/safety/reliability is more important is appealing. Additionally the warranty of the lease car means I'm more at ease for any potential issues if they crop up.
Does anyone have a similar setup and if so why? Also was/is it worthwhile based on your experience? The only downsides I see are extra costs and hassle of having two cars taking up space outside.
Sounds nuts to me. How much do you pay for your banger in VED, insurance and maintenance?The car is worth no more than £600 privately maybe I'd get upto £800 if lucky however I've owned it last 10 years and it's starting to show its age and whilst the mileage is low for it age (75k on a 16yr old car) I think more issues will start to crop up and impact reliability.
I have a general mistrust of newer/modern cars in that I don't find them as reliable as older cars due to cost cutting and borkage potential much higher due to complexity and hence cost of repairs. Additionally I tend to be wary of leasing due to risk of the car being dinged by those who either don't care or simply are crap drivers with a lack of spatial awareness and/or parking ability but also the fact you have nothing to show at end of said lease.
However now find myself contemplating keeping the banger and running a lease car in parallel for the longer trips to see family etc I won't kid myself on cost and accept it will be more expensive but the idea of a banger for shopping, tip trips and a park-anywhere car while having a nicer lease car for longer trips where comfort/safety/reliability is more important is appealing. Additionally the warranty of the lease car means I'm more at ease for any potential issues if they crop up.
Does anyone have a similar setup and if so why? Also was/is it worthwhile based on your experience? The only downsides I see are extra costs and hassle of having two cars taking up space outside.
Edited by VR99 on Wednesday 18th December 11:37
Just put that aside for unexpected Lease car bills and use the lease car. It’s a false economy in my opinion, just in case someone dings it.
We lease a Golf GTE as our "everyday" car, although it will be replaced with an eGolf very soon. Does all the nursery/school runs, getting the kids about to activities, and pretty much anything where it's just us and a small amount of stuff.
We also have a 12-year-old imported Honda Stepwagon, which isn't quite a shed but is a gloriously simple and reliable thing. It's a proper mini van / MPV so it gets used for things like when we go out with our bikes, or when we're carrying loads of camping stuff, or extra people, or tip runs / IKEA trips. For the £265 tax, £400 a year insurance and a service we get decent value out of it. It only does about 25mpg though so it really needs to be something we wouldn't use the Golf for.
If the two cars are too similar you just don't bother using the cheap one - plus if it's hit and miss whether it'll even start you don't bother taking the risk. We just ran the Golf for quite a while, have a fitted boot liner that goes up the seats so no problems carrying dirty stuff, or a muddy mountain bike in the back. Stepwagon was mostly to get more utility - I'm hoping in a couple of years when the eGolf lease ends there'll be some decent EV passenger vans to choose from and we'll go back to one car.
We also have a 12-year-old imported Honda Stepwagon, which isn't quite a shed but is a gloriously simple and reliable thing. It's a proper mini van / MPV so it gets used for things like when we go out with our bikes, or when we're carrying loads of camping stuff, or extra people, or tip runs / IKEA trips. For the £265 tax, £400 a year insurance and a service we get decent value out of it. It only does about 25mpg though so it really needs to be something we wouldn't use the Golf for.
If the two cars are too similar you just don't bother using the cheap one - plus if it's hit and miss whether it'll even start you don't bother taking the risk. We just ran the Golf for quite a while, have a fitted boot liner that goes up the seats so no problems carrying dirty stuff, or a muddy mountain bike in the back. Stepwagon was mostly to get more utility - I'm hoping in a couple of years when the eGolf lease ends there'll be some decent EV passenger vans to choose from and we'll go back to one car.
Edited by sjg on Wednesday 18th December 12:13
Ok so I thought as much that's its likely not worthwhile but good to get your input.
The lease-only route is an option however I am leaning towards using a small bank loan to buy an older car...e.g: 5-10 yrs old and then hold onto it for a while. I do 5k per yr of mainly stop start with a few longer runs monthly so not sure even leasing can be justified.
As an fyi my car is a MK1 focus so cheap to run, fuel economy is questionable but it does everything fairly well with the exception of comfort on longer runs. My VED is £260 and insurance around £300 plus factor in MOT so agree it's still a sizeable hit on funds and bot sure the annual mileage will be worthwhile to keep it.
The lease-only route is an option however I am leaning towards using a small bank loan to buy an older car...e.g: 5-10 yrs old and then hold onto it for a while. I do 5k per yr of mainly stop start with a few longer runs monthly so not sure even leasing can be justified.
As an fyi my car is a MK1 focus so cheap to run, fuel economy is questionable but it does everything fairly well with the exception of comfort on longer runs. My VED is £260 and insurance around £300 plus factor in MOT so agree it's still a sizeable hit on funds and bot sure the annual mileage will be worthwhile to keep it.
Edited by VR99 on Wednesday 18th December 12:09
I did contemplate this for a while when her indoors was looking to change, considering keeping the 10 year old qashqai for all the dirty stuff, 1 mile school run that won't warm the engine, tip runs, builders merchants runs etc etc.
In the end i've settled on not spending £600 a year in VED and insurance, plus any repairs it'll need and spent £150 on a tow bar and £150 on a small galvanized trailer for the other car....
In the end i've settled on not spending £600 a year in VED and insurance, plus any repairs it'll need and spent £150 on a tow bar and £150 on a small galvanized trailer for the other car....
Plate spinner said:
If you like the shed, I’d just throw some money at keeping it mechanically healthy.
I will do this albeit at absolute minimum. I like the fact that I don't care where I park or abt dinks or dents or it's remaining value being so slow however it's a 3 door and next yr I really need a 5 door as it's becoming a pain in the a*se to from a practicality view. Also I want something that feels a bit more solid and safe if that makes sense.Having 2 cars that are similar but one being nicer to be in will result in the shed sitting around, don't think old cars like sitting around in wet cold climates.
I often find myself going to the supermarkets after my commute or a visit hence, that would mean being in the new car.
The Focus is a great car and you'll miss it for its simplistity and direct driving experience but newer cars (2012 in my case) are so much nicer to be in. Especially in the winter.
Colleagues at work get those mobile paint repairers to come along before the car goes back. Be cheaper than running an extra shed.
You will look back on the Focus with rose tinted glasses. But it would mostly like suffered annoying central locking and ignition issues and maybe larger parts reaching their end of life (fuel pump, steering).
I often find myself going to the supermarkets after my commute or a visit hence, that would mean being in the new car.
The Focus is a great car and you'll miss it for its simplistity and direct driving experience but newer cars (2012 in my case) are so much nicer to be in. Especially in the winter.
Colleagues at work get those mobile paint repairers to come along before the car goes back. Be cheaper than running an extra shed.
You will look back on the Focus with rose tinted glasses. But it would mostly like suffered annoying central locking and ignition issues and maybe larger parts reaching their end of life (fuel pump, steering).
Edited by V6todayEVmanana on Wednesday 18th December 13:16
V6todayEVmanana said:
Having 2 cars that are similar but one being nicer to be in will result in the shed sitting around, don't think old cars like sitting around in wet cold climates.
I often find myself going to the supermarkets after my commute or a visit hence, that would mean being in the new car.
The Focus is a great car and you'll miss it for its simplistity and direct driving experience but newer cars (2012 in my case) are so much nicer to be in. Especially in the winter.
Colleagues at work get those mobile paint repairers to come along before the car goes back. Be cheaper than running an extra shed.
You will look back on the Focus with rose tinted glasses. But it would mostly like suffered annoying central locking and ignition issues and maybe larger parts reaching their end of life (fuel pump, steering).
Hit nail on the head with this post! Such a fantastic drive, so simple and can take an absolute beating but with time getting closer to a bigger/costlier issue coming up. I can see why the MK1 was a game changer for Ford. It's so nimble too with only 113 bhp. Sadly I need more comfort and practicality now too so need to change. Steering rack feels like its on way with a clicking when turning either side and in winter it's a bit more hesitant on start up.I often find myself going to the supermarkets after my commute or a visit hence, that would mean being in the new car.
The Focus is a great car and you'll miss it for its simplistity and direct driving experience but newer cars (2012 in my case) are so much nicer to be in. Especially in the winter.
Colleagues at work get those mobile paint repairers to come along before the car goes back. Be cheaper than running an extra shed.
You will look back on the Focus with rose tinted glasses. But it would mostly like suffered annoying central locking and ignition issues and maybe larger parts reaching their end of life (fuel pump, steering).
Edited by V6todayEVmanana on Wednesday 18th December 13:16
V6todayEVmanana said:
Having 2 cars that are similar but one being nicer to be in will result in the shed sitting around, don't think old cars like sitting around in wet cold climates.
If the shed is a small 3 door, when not with kids, you tend to take the shed. Apart from reasons mentioned, nice car is likely to be larger, and a small car in a city is better to get around in, and the smaller one will also be easier to find a suitably sized parking spot for.I have just swapped my shed for a bargain basement lease, previously I was running a bigger car lease and a banger but the current banger has been handed a bill that to
Me isn’t worth paying so I’m going to flog it in the coming days. Still using it at the moment until the new small bargain basement lease car arrives. I just don’t think that if the lease is more money than a shed it’s very much more in reality over a term.
I will miss shedding and will be worried about having the second lease car but it will be nice to spread the miles between two leases as my wife will be using the main car more than previously. So there will be excess mileage charges to save.
I suppose I will do more online supermarket shopping to avoid car parks but also I can use parent and child as I have an 19 month old when I go to the shops anyways.
There is a wonderful feeling giving no chuffs about your car. I will miss this. But I don’t think it makes sense to have an extra shed... I would just be careful with the lease cars.
Me isn’t worth paying so I’m going to flog it in the coming days. Still using it at the moment until the new small bargain basement lease car arrives. I just don’t think that if the lease is more money than a shed it’s very much more in reality over a term.
I will miss shedding and will be worried about having the second lease car but it will be nice to spread the miles between two leases as my wife will be using the main car more than previously. So there will be excess mileage charges to save.
I suppose I will do more online supermarket shopping to avoid car parks but also I can use parent and child as I have an 19 month old when I go to the shops anyways.
There is a wonderful feeling giving no chuffs about your car. I will miss this. But I don’t think it makes sense to have an extra shed... I would just be careful with the lease cars.
dodsi2000 said:
I have just swapped my shed for a bargain basement lease, previously I was running a bigger car lease and a banger but the current banger has been handed a bill that to
Me isn’t worth paying so I’m going to flog it in the coming days. Still using it at the moment until the new small bargain basement lease car arrives. I just don’t think that if the lease is more money than a shed it’s very much more in reality over a term.
I will miss shedding and will be worried about having the second lease car but it will be nice to spread the miles between two leases as my wife will be using the main car more than previously. So there will be excess mileage charges to save.
I suppose I will do more online supermarket shopping to avoid car parks but also I can use parent and child as I have an 19 month old when I go to the shops anyways.
There is a wonderful feeling giving no chuffs about your car. I will miss this. But I don’t think it makes sense to have an extra shed... I would just be careful with the lease cars.
Out of interest and if you don't mind me asking what's the incoming bargain lease? I was looking at lease options before and monthly prices were definately more attractive 12-18 months back..not sure what has happened since, maybe a combination of reasons but across the board leasing costs seem to of crept up.Me isn’t worth paying so I’m going to flog it in the coming days. Still using it at the moment until the new small bargain basement lease car arrives. I just don’t think that if the lease is more money than a shed it’s very much more in reality over a term.
I will miss shedding and will be worried about having the second lease car but it will be nice to spread the miles between two leases as my wife will be using the main car more than previously. So there will be excess mileage charges to save.
I suppose I will do more online supermarket shopping to avoid car parks but also I can use parent and child as I have an 19 month old when I go to the shops anyways.
There is a wonderful feeling giving no chuffs about your car. I will miss this. But I don’t think it makes sense to have an extra shed... I would just be careful with the lease cars.
To be fair if I go down a lease route will likely take the extra care in general..which I don't apply to the current shed.
Why don't you keep the shed and get something special for the weekend instead? I couldn't imagine having a shed and another car which will do 95% of what the shed does.
Similarly, I have a £500 Focus shed and it's absolutely battered but I can leave it anywhere and the spend on it is minimum. For the weekend I have an Evora and a Clio V6 but I'm thinking of chopping them both in for a Gallardo but still keeping the Focus.
Similarly, I have a £500 Focus shed and it's absolutely battered but I can leave it anywhere and the spend on it is minimum. For the weekend I have an Evora and a Clio V6 but I'm thinking of chopping them both in for a Gallardo but still keeping the Focus.
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