2008 Agila b 1.0 6yr 6k challenge
Discussion
Boring content warning.
Can I tax, insure, maintain, MOT and fuel a car for £6,000 for 6 years? And part of the £6k budget involves buying it. (It doesn't really matter if I go over but will try and get as close as I can)
This will be a documentation of buying a car on a budget and how much things cost in reality with an update every few months for 6 years.
The vehicle will be used mainly for a work commute of two miles each way. ( I was cycling for the last 15 months but have stopped now )
I've bought a 2008 Agila 1.0 on 85k for £1290. It's cheap to run and buy. This car will do between 1000 and 2000 miles per year.
Here's a taste of what to expect. There will be no mods, it's just a white goods appliance.
November 2019
Car £1290
Taxi to collect car £15
Tax £30
Insurance £195 = £1530
December 2019
Fuel £45
Exhaust hangers for back box are free because I already had the 3.
ECP service kit, oil and filter, cabin filter, spark plugs, air filter £117
Tyres have seen better days £186 165/70/14 81t avon zt7 blackcircles
Exhaust hangers for centre pipe £3 for two.
There was no spare wheel or kit so they have been sourced
Space saver £34
Jack brace tow eye kit £18
Wheel clamp £8
All used= £411
Running total £1941.
Will be updated March 2020
Can I tax, insure, maintain, MOT and fuel a car for £6,000 for 6 years? And part of the £6k budget involves buying it. (It doesn't really matter if I go over but will try and get as close as I can)
This will be a documentation of buying a car on a budget and how much things cost in reality with an update every few months for 6 years.
The vehicle will be used mainly for a work commute of two miles each way. ( I was cycling for the last 15 months but have stopped now )
I've bought a 2008 Agila 1.0 on 85k for £1290. It's cheap to run and buy. This car will do between 1000 and 2000 miles per year.
Here's a taste of what to expect. There will be no mods, it's just a white goods appliance.
November 2019
Car £1290
Taxi to collect car £15
Tax £30
Insurance £195 = £1530
December 2019
Fuel £45
Exhaust hangers for back box are free because I already had the 3.
ECP service kit, oil and filter, cabin filter, spark plugs, air filter £117
Tyres have seen better days £186 165/70/14 81t avon zt7 blackcircles
Exhaust hangers for centre pipe £3 for two.
There was no spare wheel or kit so they have been sourced
Space saver £34
Jack brace tow eye kit £18
Wheel clamp £8
All used= £411
Running total £1941.
Will be updated March 2020
Edited by John is200sport on Friday 6th December 19:27
Yes. I've started saving for a house deposit 2 years ago and now buying one and will be paid off in 6 years hitting it very very hard.
The mini fleet I had before was -
2006 Lexus rx 350
2002 corolla t sport vvtli
2005 mr2 roadster.
Only the Rx 350 has been retained and will continue to do 90% of driving duties.
The agila thing is truly the worst car I've ever driven nevermind owed.
The lexus tax is £570 so to achieve my financial goals I needed tax of £30 or less.
It's just a sacrifice I have to make at the minute, I fancy some kind of hot hatch when I'm finished.
The mini fleet I had before was -
2006 Lexus rx 350
2002 corolla t sport vvtli
2005 mr2 roadster.
Only the Rx 350 has been retained and will continue to do 90% of driving duties.
The agila thing is truly the worst car I've ever driven nevermind owed.
The lexus tax is £570 so to achieve my financial goals I needed tax of £30 or less.
It's just a sacrifice I have to make at the minute, I fancy some kind of hot hatch when I'm finished.
I bought the Avon tyres because they were £46.56 each and I like Avon tyres. The cheapest fitted on Blackcircles were £37.90 value choice and felt less than £10 per corner difference was acceptable given the fact they will be the only tyres I will buy for it in maximum 12k mileage over 6 years. The spare wheel was decent value as I don't like spray cans and pumps etc.
Both nearside tyres were an MOT advisory last time so really needed doing.
To add, the difference in tyres were avon c/fuel b/wet 69db and value were f for fuel rating c for wet stopping and 71db.
Given the agila is a terrible noisy thing and handles poorly I thought it was a sensible price sacrifice.
Both nearside tyres were an MOT advisory last time so really needed doing.
To add, the difference in tyres were avon c/fuel b/wet 69db and value were f for fuel rating c for wet stopping and 71db.
Given the agila is a terrible noisy thing and handles poorly I thought it was a sensible price sacrifice.
Edited by Agila b 6yr 6k challenge on Sunday 8th December 12:10
Regards the Lexus.
I bought it in April 2017 for £4500 on 56k. It has the Mark Levinson headunit and remote tailgate.
I fitted a new coil pack £136 from toyota,
New avon zx7 £430 blackcircles.
New discs and pads all round from ecp £400 brembos.
DIY servicing.
It's now on 73k and been fantastic.
I'll definitely buy another at some point.
Good points about the 350 engine is it's a timing chain and 272bhp.
Downsides £570 tax per year and I average 17mpg normally and on a run 24-26mpg depending on traffic.
I bought it in April 2017 for £4500 on 56k. It has the Mark Levinson headunit and remote tailgate.
I fitted a new coil pack £136 from toyota,
New avon zx7 £430 blackcircles.
New discs and pads all round from ecp £400 brembos.
DIY servicing.
It's now on 73k and been fantastic.
I'll definitely buy another at some point.
Good points about the 350 engine is it's a timing chain and 272bhp.
Downsides £570 tax per year and I average 17mpg normally and on a run 24-26mpg depending on traffic.
Yes. The mortgage will be done between 5-6 years. I have a very good salary compared to the mortgage amount and have sacrificed an awful lot over the last two years and will continue to do so.
I've been doing overtime over the last two years a lot and even cycling to work to avoid car costs. I sold my corolla daily snotter and my mr2.
Taking food to work and basically living a very frugal life. That lifestyle isn't for everyone I accept.
It's an incredibly tough 7 years to achieve this and I'm 2 years into it.
Hence the horrendous agila 6 year project.
I've been doing overtime over the last two years a lot and even cycling to work to avoid car costs. I sold my corolla daily snotter and my mr2.
Taking food to work and basically living a very frugal life. That lifestyle isn't for everyone I accept.
It's an incredibly tough 7 years to achieve this and I'm 2 years into it.
Hence the horrendous agila 6 year project.
smellypoo said:
No disrespect intended to the OP, but I'm not actually sure this is even a challenge - you're only going to use it for 1000 - 2000 miles a year?
We currently have a 2005 MK2 Focus 2.0L Petrol as our 'donkey' - it's the car that does everything we ask of it.
This is not a record of the actual costs to the penny, but just some rough working to give you an idea of our spend to date - I've multiplied any regular costs to keep the maths straightforward, obviously there is some variance on a yearly basis but unless there is some major catastrophe, it'll be a minor difference each time;
Car cost = £1000, bought just over 3 years ago.
Cost to pickup and bring home = £20-ish.
Current Yearly Insurance = £225 (current, but hasn't really changed each year) x3 = £705
Current Tax = £235 (current rate) , x3 to keep it simple = £675
2 new tyres - Goodyear EfficientGrip, 2x at £65 each, fitted = £130
MOT @ Mr Clutch = £26 per year, x3 = £78
Service (sparkplugs, oil, oil filter, wiper blades, screenwash, cabin filter, air filter) = £100 (ish). Labour was my own time.
Pagid Brake pads, rear = £25-ish. Labour was my own time.
Fuel, currently around 130p per litre, 50L tank, roughly 400 miles per tank. Roughly 20,000 miles driven so far. £3250.
Rough total to date= £5983.
By far, the biggest cost has been fuel, and this is doing 20,000 miles versus the 6,000-12,000 you might do and that's running a 2.0L Petrol.
It's not meant to be a 'boastful' post, more just to say 'unless something goes horribly wrong, or fuel and insurance costs escalate massively, you'll be fine'.
Thanks. That was another option I was considering. We currently have a 2005 MK2 Focus 2.0L Petrol as our 'donkey' - it's the car that does everything we ask of it.
This is not a record of the actual costs to the penny, but just some rough working to give you an idea of our spend to date - I've multiplied any regular costs to keep the maths straightforward, obviously there is some variance on a yearly basis but unless there is some major catastrophe, it'll be a minor difference each time;
Car cost = £1000, bought just over 3 years ago.
Cost to pickup and bring home = £20-ish.
Current Yearly Insurance = £225 (current, but hasn't really changed each year) x3 = £705
Current Tax = £235 (current rate) , x3 to keep it simple = £675
2 new tyres - Goodyear EfficientGrip, 2x at £65 each, fitted = £130
MOT @ Mr Clutch = £26 per year, x3 = £78
Service (sparkplugs, oil, oil filter, wiper blades, screenwash, cabin filter, air filter) = £100 (ish). Labour was my own time.
Pagid Brake pads, rear = £25-ish. Labour was my own time.
Fuel, currently around 130p per litre, 50L tank, roughly 400 miles per tank. Roughly 20,000 miles driven so far. £3250.
Rough total to date= £5983.
By far, the biggest cost has been fuel, and this is doing 20,000 miles versus the 6,000-12,000 you might do and that's running a 2.0L Petrol.
It's not meant to be a 'boastful' post, more just to say 'unless something goes horribly wrong, or fuel and insurance costs escalate massively, you'll be fine'.
My maths were buying the car £1290 is £215 per year over 6 years.
Tax and insurance @ £250
Mot, repair/servicing @ £150
Fuel 6 times at £50 @ £300
Car @ £215.
That's a total of £915 per year.
I should be able to do it like you say but we'll see if the car throws up any big bills etc. Plus the resale value of the car would off set any expenditure.
Update time. Will update end of November for 12 months ownership.
Previous total was £1941.
I've had extra cost in December of £153.
Seat covers pair
Sump washers
Sump plug £16.
Oil and drain plug tools £42.
Gear oil addative forte £15.
Hylomar £7.
Gear oil £27.
Fuel £46.
January
Car wash £6.
Bluetooth obd2 £6.
10mm square drain tool £11.
Drivers door mirror £15.
Fuel £46.
Passenger wiper arm £10.
Total £94.
February
Control arm ball joint £17.
Boot liner mat £12.
Number plates £30.
Fuel £45
Total £104
March
Fuel £45
Transmission oil £40
Fuel £38 (filled up a touch early)
Mot £40 (2 months early)
Total £163
£1941 + £514 = £2455
Ownership 5 months.
Balance of budget remains £3545.
I've done a few more miles than I thought i would, well over 2000.
Previous total was £1941.
I've had extra cost in December of £153.
Seat covers pair
Sump washers
Sump plug £16.
Oil and drain plug tools £42.
Gear oil addative forte £15.
Hylomar £7.
Gear oil £27.
Fuel £46.
January
Car wash £6.
Bluetooth obd2 £6.
10mm square drain tool £11.
Drivers door mirror £15.
Fuel £46.
Passenger wiper arm £10.
Total £94.
February
Control arm ball joint £17.
Boot liner mat £12.
Number plates £30.
Fuel £45
Total £104
March
Fuel £45
Transmission oil £40
Fuel £38 (filled up a touch early)
Mot £40 (2 months early)
Total £163
£1941 + £514 = £2455
Ownership 5 months.
Balance of budget remains £3545.
I've done a few more miles than I thought i would, well over 2000.
ReverendCounter said:
Seeing as you're reaching for a specific financial goal, would it not make sense to invest in a bucket and car wash brush and then save £6 per wash?
I've only done it once in 5 months so £6 isn't too bad. Plus I don't have any stuff for car washing as I stopped washing my own 20 years ago. It's just not worth my time.Mexman said:
This is not going to happen OP, unless you stop being frivolous on spending, half the stuff you have spent, purchased for it are just not required or needed.
That's a very valid point. The three items you mention were about £50. I don't need to achieve the budget so it's not essential. What will probably bust the budget is fuel as I'm doing more miles and giving the lexus a rest. Using the Agila is saving me money instead though.Mercury00 said:
What made you add the gear oil additive? I only ask because I was thinking of using molyslip for crunchy gears.
It's got a slight whine when I got it. It's supposed to have a change every 3years 30k and probably never been done. At 85k and 12 years I changed it and added the forte. I'm going to change it again now and then later in the summer.
I'll then change it every year.
5harp3y said:
whole thread is weird.
Not really, it's unusual hence why it's been put on here.Wait until I start taking pictures of the number plate and fuel filler caps I've replaced or exhaust tips I've polished.
If you're wondering if that's a light hearted joke about your new mini thread, you're correct.
dave2007bc said:
Fail to see how you can cost 'tools' to the total ownership of the car - you'll use the tools again on other vehicles?
obd reader? you're doing 2 miles a day
spare wheel kit? you could walk home
Weird.
They are square sockets specific to the car.obd reader? you're doing 2 miles a day
spare wheel kit? you could walk home
Weird.
Obd reader was to see rpm at 70mph as it doesn't have a rev counter.
Yes I could walk and abandon the car in possibly a dangerous place and leave it there? Or I could spend £34 and have some peace of mind. Should I be further from home or have passengers for example.
You may very well think having a spare wheel is weird. I don't.
Jazoli said:
I have to ask why?
An Agila, really?
Daughter no1 ran a corsa for 7 years, purchase price was £1500 and she spent £100 year for a service and mot, it needed tyres once at £150, she sold it for £600 and bought a mini, total costs were £1750 or £250/yr, you are not trying hard enough, I have run some nice cars over the years for well under what you are trying to do with a base vauxhall, don't see what you are trying to prove
£1500 + £700 + £150 is £2350.An Agila, really?
Daughter no1 ran a corsa for 7 years, purchase price was £1500 and she spent £100 year for a service and mot, it needed tyres once at £150, she sold it for £600 and bought a mini, total costs were £1750 or £250/yr, you are not trying hard enough, I have run some nice cars over the years for well under what you are trying to do with a base vauxhall, don't see what you are trying to prove
I think including £600 resale is not relevant yet.
£1290 + 700 + £186 my tyres is similar.
I've included fuel, ved and insurance in my spend so far.
I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone.
I'm paying my house off in 6 years and ideally don't want to spend more than 6k total to buy/run/fuel/tax insure etc.
Every single penny being accounted for.
I wonder what the ved was on the Corsa? Was it £30 or less?
To justify the Agila. Nobody wants one, they just end up with one.
I couldn't face cycling to work another winter.
My budget was £1500, tax to be £30 if possible or less, cheap to insure, timing chain if possible.
I did look at various Corsa/Fiesta x2/Focus and a kia rio. In those 5 cars we had no oil x1, head gasket x 3, noisy cams and chain (corsa obviously).
The Agila was local and not complete scrap and I needed one and a deal was done.
I wanted a car to last the full six years. I didn't want to buy one a year or one every 2-3 years. I hate buying and selling cars now.
Buying means viewing sheds which are described as mint and selling is all "best price" nonsense etc.
As for having a few unnecessary purchases. I'm not skint but don't want to go though 2 golf gti lease deals like my colleagues would in that time.
Having a clean car is important to me. Clean seats and boot with a clean inside and out. It's also important for parking in the work car park, they can be old and cheap but they have to be clean and road worthy etc (don't ask)
Smart number plates looks more professional at work (again don't ask).
This thread will be updated in November and then yearly. I know it's unusual but it's fairly clear what the content is from the title and the first post.
Should anyone wish to actually give examples of cars with a full break down of projected ownership costs with fuel and ved and insurance for 2000 miles pa and can beat this car over 6 years, then feel free.
I couldn't face cycling to work another winter.
My budget was £1500, tax to be £30 if possible or less, cheap to insure, timing chain if possible.
I did look at various Corsa/Fiesta x2/Focus and a kia rio. In those 5 cars we had no oil x1, head gasket x 3, noisy cams and chain (corsa obviously).
The Agila was local and not complete scrap and I needed one and a deal was done.
I wanted a car to last the full six years. I didn't want to buy one a year or one every 2-3 years. I hate buying and selling cars now.
Buying means viewing sheds which are described as mint and selling is all "best price" nonsense etc.
As for having a few unnecessary purchases. I'm not skint but don't want to go though 2 golf gti lease deals like my colleagues would in that time.
Having a clean car is important to me. Clean seats and boot with a clean inside and out. It's also important for parking in the work car park, they can be old and cheap but they have to be clean and road worthy etc (don't ask)
Smart number plates looks more professional at work (again don't ask).
This thread will be updated in November and then yearly. I know it's unusual but it's fairly clear what the content is from the title and the first post.
Should anyone wish to actually give examples of cars with a full break down of projected ownership costs with fuel and ved and insurance for 2000 miles pa and can beat this car over 6 years, then feel free.
Edited by Agila b 6yr 6k on Monday 6th April 14:18
With regards to a v70 or e39.
V70. I had one of these years ago, a 2002 2.3 t5, which was good but had issues with control arms, turning circle obviously, boot release and dim (clocks).
Very comfy and fast but while mpg isn't a major issue, I used to get 23mpg in the t5, it would throw up bill's over 6 years and can't imagine getting something as young as a 2008 for £1500.
£1500 would probably get me a leggy 2004?
E39.
Like the volvo, it would be even older and don't want to spend my time fixing it even if it might be cheap and simple.
What would £1500 buy and how much would I need to throw at it every year in time and money.
I just needed a white goods appliance as cheap and as new as possible.
Thanks for the suggestions though.
V70. I had one of these years ago, a 2002 2.3 t5, which was good but had issues with control arms, turning circle obviously, boot release and dim (clocks).
Very comfy and fast but while mpg isn't a major issue, I used to get 23mpg in the t5, it would throw up bill's over 6 years and can't imagine getting something as young as a 2008 for £1500.
£1500 would probably get me a leggy 2004?
E39.
Like the volvo, it would be even older and don't want to spend my time fixing it even if it might be cheap and simple.
What would £1500 buy and how much would I need to throw at it every year in time and money.
I just needed a white goods appliance as cheap and as new as possible.
Thanks for the suggestions though.
shalmaneser said:
You drive two miles?!
OP, unless there is something medically wrong with you flog this car and spend the 6k on something else.
Yes. I did cycle for 15 months but it got quite dangerous with a few near misses and punishment passes etc. I also do 15 hr days sometimes and don't fancy walking 4 miles a day. I'd rather spend £1k pa or £20 pw or £2 a journey each way in car saving time. OP, unless there is something medically wrong with you flog this car and spend the 6k on something else.
It's been noted/implied how lazy some people think I am already.
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