Help my Dad find a new car.
Discussion
Hello.
My dad works on the railway and most work weeks he has to travel around 200miles a week, on a good week just for work, then he has to take my little brother football training 3 times a week, which is a 25 mile round trip.
His currant car is a 2001 (B6) Audi A4 1.8T. I helped his chose this car about 3/4years ago.
Though he wont admit it, the car isn't too good on the ol flammable stuff. Try 27MPG on a run... i know its all to do with driving style but, you try telling a 46yr old man how to drive when your only 19.. he won't listen.
So me and the mother are really thinking about changing the car to a oil burner.
Our budget is around the £3500 mark.
I know you can pick up a decent focus diesel for alot less than 2k and still return 50mpg, but my dad thinks there "common"... i know he don't know s*** and there good cars.
He wants something sporty..ish along the lines of Fabia Vrs. something which can do on a combined run over 55mpg. Old 320d's he likes, but many have not been looked after.
He likes his German stuff.. but he hasn't tried anything else yet.
I must stress that £3500 budget funds are a wee bit tight says the mother so every bit helps.
My dad needs to change his ways, so can you fellow Pistonheads, lets say "Help a brother out"
Thanks.
My dad works on the railway and most work weeks he has to travel around 200miles a week, on a good week just for work, then he has to take my little brother football training 3 times a week, which is a 25 mile round trip.
His currant car is a 2001 (B6) Audi A4 1.8T. I helped his chose this car about 3/4years ago.
Though he wont admit it, the car isn't too good on the ol flammable stuff. Try 27MPG on a run... i know its all to do with driving style but, you try telling a 46yr old man how to drive when your only 19.. he won't listen.
So me and the mother are really thinking about changing the car to a oil burner.
Our budget is around the £3500 mark.
I know you can pick up a decent focus diesel for alot less than 2k and still return 50mpg, but my dad thinks there "common"... i know he don't know s*** and there good cars.
He wants something sporty..ish along the lines of Fabia Vrs. something which can do on a combined run over 55mpg. Old 320d's he likes, but many have not been looked after.
He likes his German stuff.. but he hasn't tried anything else yet.
I must stress that £3500 budget funds are a wee bit tight says the mother so every bit helps.
My dad needs to change his ways, so can you fellow Pistonheads, lets say "Help a brother out"
Thanks.
Edited by jannthaman on Thursday 3rd March 14:49
Think you've already answered the question with a Fabia vRS or other badged equivalents. I'm sure the francophiles will be along in a mo to tell you how good their pug / renault are, but at the price you're talking about, I'd be staying well clear. French cars of the 00s are where Italian cars were in the 90s. (numerous numerous mates who bought lagunas / 206 / 207 / 406 / clios have all had sig breakdowns and / or equipment not working)
Pug 407 Diesel
1.6 (60mpg) or 2.0ltr (54mpg) and 320nm of torque
407 Diesel
1.6 (60mpg) or 2.0ltr (54mpg) and 320nm of torque
407 Diesel
Edited by 911motorsport on Thursday 3rd March 14:58
Are you expecting to get anything back for his current car? If so, how much? could the difference between the £3500 you're intending to spend on the new car and the sale price of his current car go towards the running costs of his current car?
At the price you are looking to buy, you either buy on faith, or you need to know a bit about cars to ensure you don't buy a pup. I would say if the total expected outlay is more than £1500 you'd be better off keeping the current car and using that £1500 on helping offset the juice-costs. Better the devil you know etc...
At the price you are looking to buy, you either buy on faith, or you need to know a bit about cars to ensure you don't buy a pup. I would say if the total expected outlay is more than £1500 you'd be better off keeping the current car and using that £1500 on helping offset the juice-costs. Better the devil you know etc...
Update.
He hates the Fabia.. don't know why only reason why.. " It's a skoda.."
So no luck there then. He does like the look of these. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
He hates the Fabia.. don't know why only reason why.. " It's a skoda.."
So no luck there then. He does like the look of these. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
2003 VOLVO S60 2.4 D5 £2,695
2004 VOLVO S40 1.9D £2,950
2002 VOLVO S60 2.4 D5 SE £2,995
Very Comfortable, Reliable, reasonable MPG, Can't beat Volvo's!!!
2004 VOLVO S40 1.9D £2,950
2002 VOLVO S60 2.4 D5 SE £2,995
Very Comfortable, Reliable, reasonable MPG, Can't beat Volvo's!!!
jannthaman said:
Yeah we probs should but it needs to go.
It never does 37Mpg 30Tops the way he drives it.
The saving will be near £1500 a year including road tax.
Cheers for responses.
£1500 a year saving? How did you work that out?It never does 37Mpg 30Tops the way he drives it.
The saving will be near £1500 a year including road tax.
Cheers for responses.
You said 200 miles a week for work and 3x 25 mile footy trips. Assuming no holidays that's 14,300 miles.
The difference between the current car at 30mpg (477 gallons) and one that does 40mpg (358 gallons) over that distance is 119 gallons. At ~4 litres/gallon and at £1.30/litre you're looking at £618.
What's the difference in tax? £200/year max.
I think you're looking at a minimal saving, and you haven't explained how much the sale of the old car offsets the £3500 purchase price of the new car.
I don't think it makes economic sense to change an old-but-good car for another old car of unknown service history/reliability to save a little on fuel when you have to put so much capital into the purchase.
911motorsport said:
Wow, front overhang city!
Dracoro said:
911motorsport said:
Wow, front overhang city!
Mars said:
£1500 a year saving? How did you work that out?
You said 200 miles a week for work and 3x 25 mile footy trips. Assuming no holidays that's 14,300 miles.
The difference between the current car at 30mpg (477 gallons) and one that does 40mpg (358 gallons) over that distance is 119 gallons. At ~4 litres/gallon and at £1.30/litre you're looking at £618.
What's the difference in tax? £200/year max.
I think you're looking at a minimal saving, and you haven't explained how much the sale of the old car offsets the £3500 purchase price of the new car.
I don't think it makes economic sense to change an old-but-good car for another old car of unknown service history/reliability to save a little on fuel when you have to put so much capital into the purchase.
Agree with all of this. OP, you need to show your workings in the margin.You said 200 miles a week for work and 3x 25 mile footy trips. Assuming no holidays that's 14,300 miles.
The difference between the current car at 30mpg (477 gallons) and one that does 40mpg (358 gallons) over that distance is 119 gallons. At ~4 litres/gallon and at £1.30/litre you're looking at £618.
What's the difference in tax? £200/year max.
I think you're looking at a minimal saving, and you haven't explained how much the sale of the old car offsets the £3500 purchase price of the new car.
I don't think it makes economic sense to change an old-but-good car for another old car of unknown service history/reliability to save a little on fuel when you have to put so much capital into the purchase.
PH: maths matter
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