Apologies before we begin, this may be a long one. The better half has a Pug 206 which we are beginning to think is beginning to shuffle off this mortal coil

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=70...7

The car is a 206 Quiksilver on a 03 plate. It?s now done 160,000 miles and despite its full service history, life is catching up. It?s just had a service from a local garage, and their advice was that it?s probably got about 40k left in it, but it is going to start costing money. Specifically, it needs a new exhaust soon, it requires a new brake servo, the clutch while still ok is not going to last a huge lot longer. The reason given for 40k is that it is due a cambelt then and that?s probably not going to be economical. On top of this it?s turning into a rattly little sod, and it still seems to have a loose belt or two. Put it this way you can tell it?s a 160k engine. To add the piece-de-resistance it?s developed a habit of kangarooing and cutting out when cold. Now in my years I?ve driven worse, but she?s beginning to loose faith in it. She does 30k miles a year and needs a car all the time for work. She can?t be without one.

So what do I do? I?ve got so many thoughts I just can?t make my mind up. Our other car is an 02 Punto Speedgear, not the greatest but it was free and too it?s credit it?s proved a lot better and more reliable than I expected. Besides it?s just had a major service and a cambelt change, so it owes me.

We do have a third car back up in Scotland. My beloved 98 Micra, 173k miles and it never once broke down or gave me any grief. It?s been off the road since Jul 06, sitting in a garage, and started regularly. It got put off the road just after I had the front subframe replaced and had it MOT?s (thanks to a friend who is an ace welder). I reckon to put it back on the road it needs a new battery, new back box and then put through an MOT. I love this little thing, I?ve had it 8 years and put 130k miles on it without it missing a beat.

So my choices are:

One. Keep the 206, pay for what needs done and drive it until it dies. I?ve not problems with me driving the 206 and letting her have the Punto. However am I just chucking good money after bad.

Two. Go buy a new car, trading in the 206 and saving all that hassle of trying to sell it. I know there are some good deals out there, and the thought of buying my first new car is tempting? but do I want to be chucking money away in depreciation?

Three. Sell the 206 privately, and get a used replacement. I know it?s done big miles but cosmetically it?s lovely (once the dog has been valeted out) and if you knew what you were doing and could service it yourself it would be viable. However, I don?t have that ability. We have already looked at Mk 2 CR-V CTDis and that is once again dancing in my head.

Four. Sell the 206 privately, and stick the Micra back on the road. By far the cheapest option. I get a car I know and once again the Micra and I make out assault on 200,000 miles. Of course this is not at all glamorous, but we?ve all had soft spots for cars and this little baby is mine. This also means we can save money for a car at a later date, and yes I am sensible enough to do this.

Five. Do some thing a little crazy, Sell the 206 privately and but something I?ve wanted for a LONG while, a Mk1 MX-5. I could run it for a year or two and have loads of fun before I have to buy something sensible. However I do worry if this will take a 50 mile commute each day.

Six. Any other suggestions from backroomers?

As I said, the problem is compounded by the fact that we need both cars at all times, SWMBO can?t do without a car due to work. This means it?s difficult to sell one car then buy a second, or to run the 206 until it dies then get a replacement. Of course, I could use this as an excuse to put the Micra back on the road already as a third car?

So as you can see, I?ve got a lot to think about! Over to you.

Cheers

Douglas


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