A strange what car - polar oposite cars!
Discussion
So, with expanding family in mind, I decided to test the water selling the Boxster...
A week on eBay proved interesting, amongst the usual "3k cash, will collect tomorrow" brigade, I was offered some very nice part exchanges... Myself and the wife narrowed it down to to interesting prospects:
A 2007 (56 plate) Fiat Panda 100hp for her, 35k on the clock with full history
Or
A 2004 Mercedes E220 CDI for me with... 160K on the clock, again, full history and what looks to be very good condition
So, do I go for the "warm" hatch, family friendly and frugal - or the inter-galactic mileage uber-wafter Merc? Is 160k too much? Both roughly the same price.
Opinions on either car would be welcomed
A week on eBay proved interesting, amongst the usual "3k cash, will collect tomorrow" brigade, I was offered some very nice part exchanges... Myself and the wife narrowed it down to to interesting prospects:
A 2007 (56 plate) Fiat Panda 100hp for her, 35k on the clock with full history
Or
A 2004 Mercedes E220 CDI for me with... 160K on the clock, again, full history and what looks to be very good condition
So, do I go for the "warm" hatch, family friendly and frugal - or the inter-galactic mileage uber-wafter Merc? Is 160k too much? Both roughly the same price.
Opinions on either car would be welcomed
I wouldn't be ashamed of the Panda at all - I find it quite cool personally, quirky and original.
We have a 2nd car too, an Altea - if we had the Panda, I'd commute in the Seat, if we had the Merc, wife would have the Altea and I'd rack up some more motorway miles on the Merc
Head says Fiat, economical and cheaper running costs
Heart says Merc, plush, luxurious and uber wafty
We have a 2nd car too, an Altea - if we had the Panda, I'd commute in the Seat, if we had the Merc, wife would have the Altea and I'd rack up some more motorway miles on the Merc
Head says Fiat, economical and cheaper running costs
Heart says Merc, plush, luxurious and uber wafty
SWMBO is not happy keeping the Porsche, so that option has gone.
I'd love to sell the car, but cash buyers seem very few and far between these days.
The Panda would give us £1000, the Merc was a straight swap...
I figured selling a higher mileage car might have been difficult, I think the Merc might be too much of a risk.
I'd love to sell the car, but cash buyers seem very few and far between these days.
The Panda would give us £1000, the Merc was a straight swap...
I figured selling a higher mileage car might have been difficult, I think the Merc might be too much of a risk.
That was one of her concerns - the breaking down thing - but only because if we were big car down it's only leave us the 2 seater car - if we had 2 big cars and one was poorly, it'd be fine...
The wife is firmly with the Panda
Ideal world, I'd sell the Boxster - but there doesn't seem to be any cash buyers out there - well, it hass only been advertised for a week so maybe I'm just being impatient!
The wife is firmly with the Panda
Ideal world, I'd sell the Boxster - but there doesn't seem to be any cash buyers out there - well, it hass only been advertised for a week so maybe I'm just being impatient!
Just my 2p, but if I were in your situation - that is, kids potentially on the way, one practical car and a two seater - I don't think I'd be changing my car unless I wanted to.
If you have one kid you're not really limiting practicality at all. Even if you have two you can use the different cars depending upon who you're carrying around.
I'd say if the Porsche makes you feel good then keep it, because once the kids start popping out and you've given in to your missus with regards to driving a pointless practical car then you're unlikely to be able to get one again.
If you have one kid you're not really limiting practicality at all. Even if you have two you can use the different cars depending upon who you're carrying around.
I'd say if the Porsche makes you feel good then keep it, because once the kids start popping out and you've given in to your missus with regards to driving a pointless practical car then you're unlikely to be able to get one again.
2 Wycked said:
Just my 2p, but if I were in your situation - that is, kids potentially on the way, one practical car and a two seater - I don't think I'd be changing my car unless I wanted to.
If you have one kid you're not really limiting practicality at all. Even if you have two you can use the different cars depending upon who you're carrying around.
I'd say if the Porsche makes you feel good then keep it, because once the kids start popping out and you've given in to your missus with regards to driving a pointless practical car then you're unlikely to be able to get one again.
A good point, and I do love the Porsche - but a 50 mile commute in it every day, through winter? The car has spent most of it's life in a garage, being polished to within an inch of it's life and taken on a hoon everytime the good weather appears, seems a sacrelidge to commute in it!If you have one kid you're not really limiting practicality at all. Even if you have two you can use the different cars depending upon who you're carrying around.
I'd say if the Porsche makes you feel good then keep it, because once the kids start popping out and you've given in to your missus with regards to driving a pointless practical car then you're unlikely to be able to get one again.
Plus, I love a lot of cars - if I could get a practical 5 door car that's still PH and fun, then what's the harm?
I'd get the Merc if I were you. The Panda is good if your children are small, but once they start to grow they'll run out of legroom very quickly. 160k is nothing for a Merc, you regularly see E class taxis in Germany with 400k or more kilometers (250k+ miles) on the clock, it will probably last longer than the Panda and will be a much more relaxing day to day car.
Rich n Em said:
2 Wycked said:
Just my 2p, but if I were in your situation - that is, kids potentially on the way, one practical car and a two seater - I don't think I'd be changing my car unless I wanted to.
If you have one kid you're not really limiting practicality at all. Even if you have two you can use the different cars depending upon who you're carrying around.
I'd say if the Porsche makes you feel good then keep it, because once the kids start popping out and you've given in to your missus with regards to driving a pointless practical car then you're unlikely to be able to get one again.
A good point, and I do love the Porsche - but a 50 mile commute in it every day, through winter? The car has spent most of it's life in a garage, being polished to within an inch of it's life and taken on a hoon everytime the good weather appears, seems a sacrelidge to commute in it!If you have one kid you're not really limiting practicality at all. Even if you have two you can use the different cars depending upon who you're carrying around.
I'd say if the Porsche makes you feel good then keep it, because once the kids start popping out and you've given in to your missus with regards to driving a pointless practical car then you're unlikely to be able to get one again.
Plus, I love a lot of cars - if I could get a practical 5 door car that's still PH and fun, then what's the harm?
Trading in isn't really a viable option - I've had 2 valuations done at 2 garages I have used regularly, both deemed it a "specialist" car and both offered me several thousand below what I believe it's worth
And those 2 cars I've listed weren't the only options given as part exhancge / swaps - several Imprezza's, RX8's, a 5 series, 3 x 3 Series's, a Fiesta, a TT - the list goes on... Most had been ruled out by owners simply IMO asking too much for their cars - the others due to their practicality.
The Merc and the Panda were both cars myself and the wife like that didn't look overpriced
And those 2 cars I've listed weren't the only options given as part exhancge / swaps - several Imprezza's, RX8's, a 5 series, 3 x 3 Series's, a Fiesta, a TT - the list goes on... Most had been ruled out by owners simply IMO asking too much for their cars - the others due to their practicality.
The Merc and the Panda were both cars myself and the wife like that didn't look overpriced
Edited by Rich n Em on Sunday 17th October 15:45
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