Downgrading car
Discussion
Hello everybody, this is my first post on here but I've been viewing this forum for years.
I'm currently having a bit of a dilemma on whether or not to downgrade my 320d to a fiesta st.
I currently drive a 65 plate 320d m sport and its a really nice car, but to be honest, with the way the cost of living is going I've given a lot of thought to chopping it in for a similar aged fiesta st.
The fiesta I've been looking at is an st2 and the drive is brilliant, it's just a bit dull inside compared to the 3 series.
I will save about 130 quid a month by doing the man maths and I'll also get a few grand back in equity from the 320d as well.
Has anybody else been in a similar situation, and do you think I'd be right in getting shot of the bmw.
Cheers.
I'm currently having a bit of a dilemma on whether or not to downgrade my 320d to a fiesta st.
I currently drive a 65 plate 320d m sport and its a really nice car, but to be honest, with the way the cost of living is going I've given a lot of thought to chopping it in for a similar aged fiesta st.
The fiesta I've been looking at is an st2 and the drive is brilliant, it's just a bit dull inside compared to the 3 series.
I will save about 130 quid a month by doing the man maths and I'll also get a few grand back in equity from the 320d as well.
Has anybody else been in a similar situation, and do you think I'd be right in getting shot of the bmw.
Cheers.
That's the thing, I only do around 9k miles a year now since the Mrs passed her test a few years ago, and work is only 7 miles up the road and I don't do hardly any motorway miles.
It's just sometimes you end up spoiling yourself and having high expectations from driving "luxary" cars.
It's just sometimes you end up spoiling yourself and having high expectations from driving "luxary" cars.
Last November I downgraded from a 2018 Golf GTI PP with all the toys to a ropey 2008 Ford Cmax. Simply because the Golf was worth so much, and the plan was to quickly jump into an EV, but that idea has been royally killed and I can see myself 'enjoying' my Cmax for at least another 12 months
Ryanava said:
That's the thing, I only do around 9k miles a year now since the Mrs passed her test a few years ago, and work is only 7 miles up the road and I don't do hardly any motorway miles.
It's just sometimes you end up spoiling yourself and having high expectations from driving "luxary" cars.
Luxury isn’t always what it seems as I went from a couple year old merc c63 to a 12 year old 325d and the bmw was significantly more comfortable, less rattles and quieter on the motorway. It's just sometimes you end up spoiling yourself and having high expectations from driving "luxary" cars.
Ryanava said:
That's the thing, I only do around 9k miles a year now since the Mrs passed her test a few years ago, and work is only 7 miles up the road and I don't do hardly any motorway miles.
It's just sometimes you end up spoiling yourself and having high expectations from driving "luxary" cars.
They're just different the Fiesta is a great drivers car the 320d isn't but it's a nicer place to be, it sounds like it suits your needs better too.It's just sometimes you end up spoiling yourself and having high expectations from driving "luxary" cars.
If the Fiesta is to much of a step down interior wise, I've found clients that have had an issue with the Ford interior seem to find a nice compromise in the 208 GTI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203063...
I think because you are doing only 9000 miles a year now, you are right that you don't really need a diesel BMW, so the Fiesta ST is a good choice as long as you don't need all the space a 3 series offers. I'd say go for it, you'll save some money and have more fun in the process. It might cost a few hundred quid more a year in fuel, but I'm sure that'll be outweighed by other savings made.
Try and buy as new a one as possible - I'd try and pick up a 2017 model as it'll have definitely had the coolant issue rectified by that point, you don't want the car bursting into flames!
This one looks decent
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201241...
Try and buy as new a one as possible - I'd try and pick up a 2017 model as it'll have definitely had the coolant issue rectified by that point, you don't want the car bursting into flames!
This one looks decent
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201241...
Don't regard going from a BMW to a Ford as a downgrade to your car situation - regard it instead as upgrade to your life situation.
You can easily do that because you say the ST fits your current needs better than the BMW does and you'll be £130 every single month better off without having to lift a finger.
Add those two facts together and you've got a strong win-win right there. What's stopping you?
You can easily do that because you say the ST fits your current needs better than the BMW does and you'll be £130 every single month better off without having to lift a finger.
Add those two facts together and you've got a strong win-win right there. What's stopping you?
Jaguar steve said:
Don't regard going from a BMW to a Ford as a downgrade to your car situation - regard it instead as upgrade to your life situation.
You can easily do that because you say the ST fits your current needs better than the BMW does and you'll be £130 every single month better off without having to lift a finger.
Add those two facts together and you've got a strong win-win right there. What's stopping you?
I think you've just made my mind up for me. You can easily do that because you say the ST fits your current needs better than the BMW does and you'll be £130 every single month better off without having to lift a finger.
Add those two facts together and you've got a strong win-win right there. What's stopping you?
I've recently done the same. From a 2020 BMW 540i touring to a 2014 Merc A45 amg. I'm saving a shed load every month as the new (old) car is totally paid for with the equity in the beemer and some savings.
Do I regret it, yes, in that I really liked having a brand new car, but no, don't miss the payments every month etc. The Merc is saving me on Insurance, tax, does a little more mpg. Pretty much the same for servicing though. Oh! the Merc is a bit 'in your face' though, I'm 52 and am struggling with the pops and bangs!!!
Do I regret it, yes, in that I really liked having a brand new car, but no, don't miss the payments every month etc. The Merc is saving me on Insurance, tax, does a little more mpg. Pretty much the same for servicing though. Oh! the Merc is a bit 'in your face' though, I'm 52 and am struggling with the pops and bangs!!!
Ryanava said:
Jaguar steve said:
Don't regard going from a BMW to a Ford as a downgrade to your car situation - regard it instead as upgrade to your life situation.
You can easily do that because you say the ST fits your current needs better than the BMW does and you'll be £130 every single month better off without having to lift a finger.
Add those two facts together and you've got a strong win-win right there. What's stopping you?
I think you've just made my mind up for me. You can easily do that because you say the ST fits your current needs better than the BMW does and you'll be £130 every single month better off without having to lift a finger.
Add those two facts together and you've got a strong win-win right there. What's stopping you?
It always helps to remember though that whenever these questions come up for attention that you're not actually looking for a different car/watch/job/house/whatever, what you're really looking for is peace of mind, and you can find that easily in any car whether its a £100k or £1k one simply by having the right attitude toward it.
And yes, given the choice I'd have an ST too.
Given what you've said I'd also look at some alternatives. Don't get me wrong, I love my st3 but luxury it definitely is not. Its a roller skate, great fun but a very different daily drive to your Beemer.
If you wanted to save money, add some fun but keep the premium feel then maybe something like a Mini Cooper 1.5 would be worth a look. You could probably get one for less money than the Fiesta and it'll be more economical and have a nicer quality interior. Or the 208 gti prestige that ZX mentioned makes a great daily with a bit more emphasis on comfort and quality than the Ford.
If you're pretty sold on the ST then go for it. You'll want a 65 plate onwards for the revised suspension and sorted cooling system. I quite like the interior, it suits the character of the car well. And it is a blast on the back roads.
If you wanted to save money, add some fun but keep the premium feel then maybe something like a Mini Cooper 1.5 would be worth a look. You could probably get one for less money than the Fiesta and it'll be more economical and have a nicer quality interior. Or the 208 gti prestige that ZX mentioned makes a great daily with a bit more emphasis on comfort and quality than the Ford.
If you're pretty sold on the ST then go for it. You'll want a 65 plate onwards for the revised suspension and sorted cooling system. I quite like the interior, it suits the character of the car well. And it is a blast on the back roads.
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