Toying with selling up....

[BGB autosport]

As much as it pains me to say, I am thinking of selling the Tuscan. I love it to bits and have just starting to get every thing sorted and how it should be too.

We have a baby on the way and is due August, obviously we cant use the TVR to go out together in, so its hardly going to get used. Then today I have accepted a new job, means a much longer commute and on motorways so I’m not really happy about using my 206d for this.

If I sold the Tuscan, the wifes Megane 225 and my pug it would mean we could get some thing nice and reasonably quick for a road car and some thing better to commute in. Was thinking about an 05-06 plate Audi S4 then spending 3k ish on a commuter.

It’s a shame, the TVR is paid for, but what good is it if I never use it? also not really having the spare cash to spend on it if it were to have issues.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Commuting is boring, repetitive and will probably be responsible for the bulk of your mileage. The only comfort I take from my relatively small commute is that I'm getting 60mpg+ and it isn't costing too much. If I was sitting in a V8 S4 getting less than 20mpg I'd be royally browned off as I watched the cost of my commute rocket. This is how my mind works - 70 mile round trip, ten times per month. 700 miles in my diesel costs about £70. The same trip in an S4 would cost £200 which works out at £1500 extra per year. Mine is a small commute, most are not.

The other big thing to remember is that commuting in a doitall car makes that vehicle feel very ordinary. You may as well get a diesel saloon and be done with it because the opportunities to really drive the S4 will be few and far between. I never thought I would say this, but having just bought my first toy car I really appreciate how special it feels every time I drive it.

[BGB autosport]

Would not use the s4 for commuting, like you say i would have a diesel or lpg car for that. I commute 70 a day currently but will be doing 100 when i start the new job.
An s4 is about the only thing i can think of that can easily be used daily but still has something about it.

[SonicHedgeHog]

In that case it sounds like your missus is going to do 95% of the driving in the S4. Why bother spending all that money on a car whose performance she will probably never use? I can see what you are trying to do, but I think you'd be better off with your commuter car, a regular Ford Focus and something bonkers that only you drive. Having just said all that, I've got a better idea: get your missus a Focus and buy yourself something like a RenaultSport Twingo. You'll get 40mpg on the commute and it'll be fun to drive when you're off the motorway. You can even get all of you in it if you're going somewhere with minimal luggage.

[Trainspotter]

I sold my 2004 S4 to buy the Tuscan S. Admittedly I bought the S4, following a pretty serious accident in my Griff 500, as a more sensible option and to give the parents peace of mind.

I don't do many miles a year, because I can walk to work/shops/bars etc and so I was hoping the Audi would still be fun for weekend jaunts. It was a vast improvement over my previous S4 (B5 mapped to 320bhp and 370lbft) in terms of effortless pace, noise, handling and the brakes were superb. However, the steering was vague (although Audi did attempt to address this with the B7) and it needed a decent amount of provocation to snap it out of understeer.

I managed just 5000 miles in the year that I owned it compared to the 8000 in the Griff the previous year. I didn't get the urge to "go for a drive". Perhaps it was a little too good, which ultimately was its downfall in my eyes and made it a little dull. Throughly nice place to sit though, was great on long journeys, very safe and the noise wasn't bad either. I averaged 20mpg over the year, which isn't too bad considering its weight.

If you're looking for something for the family that can still get the heart going, then I wouldn't suggest the S4. The RS4 is a tempting proposition, but a noticeable hike in price over the S4.

Just my 2p and I hope you find a car that can tick all the boxes.

Jez

[rens914]

child on the way
A landrover freelander would be an idea. i bought one to transport my dog /a big dane)
only payed 4500 euro's for the car (2002/TD4)and am very happy with it.
lots of space very handy and safe
than you could at least put 1/2 of your money on the bank to buy a TVR in due time
rens

Edited by rens914 on Friday 16th April 12:18

[Robertjp]

Ask yourself why you bought a TVR? I bought mine cause nothing else would do....i suspect many do...

If you buy an S4 you will end up with a compromise, between everyday and quick (and not even that quick compared to any TVR). You wont be inspired to drive it, because its just not that kind of car, it will be a little dull and remote to drive (certainly wont make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end!), and you will just miss the TVR.

I have a passat TDI to use everyday (or the SV650 ). That way the Tuscan remains special. 90 mile a day commute on m42 and m6. I use the Tuscan for this once a week or so, its a lovely run into work if i use the scenic route and avoid the motorway car parks

There is nothing wrong with a 206d for communting, maybe just upgrade a little, focus Tdi or similar? Plenty of room for kids clobber in that and a mile muncher...

Edited by Robertjp on Friday 16th April 09:05

[m3coupe]

I would say upgrade the 206 to something different and keep the Tuscan. As you've already said it's paid for so no need to sell to save money.

I sold my Tuscan yesterday, I didn't like watching someone else drive my car away and wouldn't want anyone else to go through that, lol.

[Laser Sag]

If you are commuting 70 miles a day allowing for weekends, holidays etc you are doing approx 16000 miles a year in the 206 so upping that to 100 miles a day would mean about 6000 miles extra a year.
If you were happy doing the 70 mile commute in the 206 dont really see the difference the extra 30 miles a day is going to make. As said earlier you must be able to find an enjoyable route to work which could then mean using the Tuscan once a week which would help you to get to enjoy it more.
If you want to keep it you will, if not you have already made up your mind to sell so you may as well get it advertised at the beginning of the summer (hoping we have one)
Also the other thing to look at is every time you sell one of your vehicles it costs you money and then you buy something else at a mark up to give someone else some profit.Better to keep that money and use it on what you have already got.