Budget annual cost
Author
Discussion

Esby

Original Poster:

10 posts

99 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
quotequote all
The boy turned 17, itching to buy his own car.
I want to encourage that, but also educate as to the 'true' cost, not just the initial purchase.

Example, my car cost £3,500 cash, buy I probably budget £4-500/yr for repairs.
I have fair confidence in those numbers as done it with last 3 cars, keeping them 4-5 years each.

He often sees cars advertised at £1k and under, immediately thinks 'bargain'.
I just panic and think 'new breakdown every week' !

So I'm curious, if you were buying a sub-grand car, how much would you expect/anticipate to be spending on keeping it running for the next year or two??
It's going to be small car given age/insurance.

Do any of you have 'budgets' that help you weigh up options? I know nothing certain & always risk... but you got to start with some plan, right?


DuraAce

4,270 posts

178 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
quotequote all
I help a mate with his car, £1k fiesta. He budgets around £300 per year for running costs.
Easy to achieve IMHO as long you DIY. There is a wealth of info online these days. Good access to spares, both new and used had never been greater.

Running a 20 year old 7 series on that budget might be a different game!

Esby

Original Poster:

10 posts

99 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
quotequote all
Cheers, that's helpful.
Boy has just done lvl 1 motor mechanics, hopefully apprenticeship next year, so the DIY approach is possible so long he accepts off road time while he fixes/learns.

As far as kitting him out with tools, are we talking £100,£500,£1000 to get him up and running?

(Can you tell that I'm no piston head myself?)

BoRED S2upid

20,817 posts

258 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
quotequote all
I once ran a £300 BMW 316i for 2 years on less than £100 each year so it can be done and will be a lesson to him. Just buy him AA cover and let him live his life in whatever shed he wants to.

Swampy1982

3,414 posts

129 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
quotequote all
Esby said:
Cheers, that's helpful.
Boy has just done lvl 1 motor mechanics, hopefully apprenticeship next year, so the DIY approach is possible so long he accepts off road time while he fixes/learns.

As far as kitting him out with tools, are we talking £100,£500,£1000 to get him up and running?

(Can you tell that I'm no piston head myself?)
Personally i found a halfords professional medium sized set (around £150) covered most of what i needed to do, topped up with weird torx bits etc as an when needed

Edit : http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Edited by Swampy1982 on Sunday 2nd July 18:30

DaveH23

3,334 posts

188 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
quotequote all
My first 2 cars cost less that £1000 between them and ran them for 2 years each and only ever cost me come MOT time.

Probably luck more than anything else.