many thanks for the replies, some good points raised there, i must admit i did think about the LPG conversion but am also a bit worried that the Voyager may start costing big money on repairs and so on.
It has some electrical fault that has resulted in me having no heating/air con, rear wiper/heated rear screen, i also estimate at the moment to be getting 12mpg!! petrol
So as you can see I am also looking at cheaper running costs ie road tax, tyres etc in my decision.
|
i also estimate at the moment to be getting 12mpg!! petrol
Then there is something wrong with the car and it might be easy to fix. Have you had someone take a look? I suggest an independent and not a dealer.
12mpg is about what you'd get in most super-cars on a bad day - I bet a Bentley Continental GT uses less petrol.
|
|
|
i also estimate at the moment to be getting 12mpg!! petrol
Is it the 3.3 V6 auto (4 speed)?
|
Hi yes it's a 3.3 auto
Well I guess that plus mostly town driving means the mpg isn't going to be great...
Anyone know the official urban figures for this model (1997-2001 presumably)? Did a google but couldn't spot it.
|
exactly Focus{P},
was quite shocked when i worked it out, only doing 15 miles a day at the moment but putting in equivalent to £6 a day, however have a new job that will involve approx 40 miles a day and am not looking forward to petrol bill.
It is a 1997 model.
|
just weigh the heap in it should weigh two tonnes so thats at least $200
and go buy a nice nissan tino
Edited by bell boy on 02/11/2009 at 22:39
|
cheers bell boy
Think it may be worth little bit more than that, it's got 12 months MOT on it, not much more but hopefully a bit.
Not considered the Nissan i must admit, was probably looking for something smaller, however will look into them.
thanks
Caroline
|
get a nice low mileage (genuine) one
your car honestly isnt worth a burnt carrot but hey theres a bum for every seat somewhere
good luck
|
|
|
|
that will involve approx 40 miles a day and am not looking forward to petrol bill.
I can understand the desire to change to something (theoretically) cheaper, but it's always going to be a gamble - I don't know about you but I certainly wouldn't be able to buy a £3k car without worrying that it was going to be an expensive can of worms.
Regarding Yarises, we had an 1.0 2002 model from new, which is now owned by my stepson. It has been very reliable, and feels quite lively with just one person in it. Might be an idea to try fitting all the kids in one before buying though.
|
Regarding Yarises we had an 1.0 2002 model from new which is now owned by my stepson. It has been very reliable and feels quite lively with just one person in it. Might be an idea to try fitting all the kids in one before buying though.
>>>>>> and maybe get in the guiness book of records ;-) ,i cant imagine anything worse than 5 people crammed in a buzz box
|
|
|
|
Don't scream, but have you considered a Fiat Multipla 1.9 JTd?
|
you mean a frog?
they all seem to have disappeared to their natural habitat these days
|
It isn't French, you know ;-) its Italian ...
Yes, the frog. Comfortable seating for 3 abreast, considering the fact that the distraction of the interaction between one surly teen and two younger kids is more of a hazard than drunk stoned drivers ... given that they are Fiats, used values are through the floor? Should get really nice examples for 3K
|
I'm not screaming!!!
To be honest though am a bit off Fiats, had a bit of a bad experience with a Punto a few years back,however am up for considering anything
thanks
caroline
by the way good point on the little ones and teenager in the back, it's carnage!!
Edited by carolinep on 02/11/2009 at 23:07
|
|
I get what you are saying about the gamble, the Voyager may be an expensive tank but on the whole it's been reliable for the 5 or so years i've had it.
This was why we initially thought about taking the safe option and opting for new with scrappage but would love to be saving money each month hence thinking about 2nd hand.
Just to clarify, 75% of the time it would be just me in the car, remainder of the time with the two little ones and once in a blue moon the teenager who also wants to learn to drive (she is 17) so could possibly be used by her eventually.
If we were to all go a longer trip my husband drives a Vectra which even though in my opinion is really uncomfortable is more roomy.
|
Just to clarify 75% of the time it would be just me in the car
Sounds like a small car would be fine then. BTW other stepson has a 1.0 S reg Corsa which has only been serviced intermittently but still carries him and his death metal band mates up and down the country. Seems to be indestructible, despite their best efforts.
|
A Corsa was one that I had thought of along with Fiesta's, just really scared of buying something with a load of problems,
that is the risk though with only paying 3k ish. It is starting to do my head in to be honest, new vs old vs keep the voyager.
decisions!!!!
|
It is starting to do my head in to be honest new vs old vs keep the voyager.
The LPG option sounded interesting as well, although spending £1000(?) on the conversion again is risky if you think the Voyager is going to start breaking down.
|
|
i think you would have to be nuts to consider putting a grands worth minimum of lpg gear (personally i think it would cost nearer 2 anyway) on a 12 year old yank barge
|
... only doing 15 miles a day at the moment but putting in equivalent to £6 a day, >>
15 miles round trip, means 7 or 8 miles each way. Your engine is just getting warmed up. No wonder you are using so much fuel.
>>however have a new job that will involve approx 40 miles a day and am not looking forward to petrol bill. >>
40 mile round trip means 20 miles each way. That should improve consumption figures, as after the first 5 to 10 miles, I think the engine should be nicely warmed up.
It is starting to do my head in to be honest, new vs old vs keep the voyager. >>
I vote for keeping the Voyager, and learning to save fuel (better route planning, less weight in the car, sympathetic driving style, etc.):
www.iam.org.uk/pressroom/drivingtips/drivingtip18....m
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Travel/Drivers/Smarte...g
www.uswitch.com/car-insurance/how-to-be-fuel-effic.../
Give that a go and then after 3 or 4 months, rethink your options. 2nd hand cars may be cheaper then:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/item.htm?id=27728
Edited by jbif on 02/11/2009 at 23:33
|
Did nobody mention a Berlingo/Partner with the good old 1.9 diesel engine - Bromptonaut will in a mo!
|
I know just your problem. We have a Grand Espace, but most of the time it has wife and one or two kids in it. However for holidays, brownies, girl guides, Duke of Edinburgh groups etc I wouldn't have anything else. It returned 42mpg on our recent holiday, but only 35 around town (2.2 diesel) 2006 model.
My parents had Mk1 Yaris and now have a new one which is a little bigger. Good car to learn to drive in, but can be a little expensive. Slightly cheaper to buy and possibly to run would be Corsa/Clio which also have x 3 belts in the back. Kia Rio is cheap.
Small cars still tend to be a touch expensive. Even slightly bigger cars like the Focus still do excellent MPG and give you a little more elbow room.
Try out fitting booster seats plus the teen before buying. Some you really can't buckle up with two seats in place.
I would go scrappage and new - peace of mind motoring and 7 year warrenty on some models...
Good luck.
|
cheers barneybear,
they are an expensive luxury and have been invaluable for carrying around loads of kids and all the paraphanalia that goes with them. must add that i do have 5 kids total but eldest has left home and next one down just does his own thing just leaving 3
I must add that the Yaris was just one model we were looking at but does seem our fave, however maybe im not looking at all the options as im a bit fixated on £35 tax and high MPG, may be time to widen the criteria a bit.
thanks
Caroline
|
|
Ford Fusion, Mazda 2 (old model), Suzuki Ignis. Small, economical, reliable cars, but just that little bit bigger in the back than a Yaris or some such.
|
Our 5 year old yaris has never skipped a beat and the 1.0 is v frugal if lacking in any oomph on the motorway, chronically so with more than two peope in it.
I think 12mpg does sound v low and I think getting it checked over by an indy + really going for the taxi driver/never touch your brake pedal driving style is the way forward.
The point at which you begin not to trust your car for fear of a big repair bill on a worthless car is an awful predicament. So I would go for the cheapest possible option as in the sentence above.
|
thanks all for all the replies, im thinking the voyager must go, have been trying to drive as economically as possible but not much difference... i have got to the point now where i think i need a change and something more practical.
I'm getting the impression that most people are of the opinion to get a older car as opposed to a brand new on a PCP.
there is lots to consider and i am grateful for all the replies so far, they have given me new things to think about,
now if anybody has got one of these low milage, reliable and frugal cars that look good and has room for an occasional 5 for 3k!!that they don't want anymore..... the search commences
|
Sorry, Caroline, not much help to you now but earlier this year you could have had my 30k miles, 2005 reg, FIAT Stilo Multiwagon, a 40-50MPG diesel estate car, for 3k. In fact, I'd think about adding that to your list. There are horror stories out there regarding Stilo reliability, but mainly in relation to petrol engines and a few specific electrical gremlins. The diesels are more robust, and cheap to run and insure. If you can find one like mine it'll do absolutely everything you're asking. They are dirt cheap to buy, compared to the competition. Much more roomy than a Yaris.
Mine was triffic, and I only sold it when we needed an automatic. There are no Stilo automatics (only Selespeeds). Sniff.
|
|
What's wrong with something like a Vectra C 1.9CDTI 150?
|
Remember - Children have an annoying habit called growing.
Don't get something that will be too small in a year.
|
something Astra sized, (estate model if they have one) and unpopular i.e. nothing really wrong with it (you can check HJ's car by car section etc), but not the option every one else wants....maybe something like a Nissan Almera, which for some reasons were never that popular.
with two growing kids and a larger one to cart around for a while yet, i'm not convinced the Yaris size is sensible, as there's no appreciable boot space and the seating in 2 years time will be a right old squeeze
petrol one will be cheaper, therefore newer and possibly more reliable...and will be considerably better at fuel consumption than what you currently have
|
A Kia Cerato might be worth looking into, following Westpig's very good logic. Relatively new ones can be found with low miles, for a few grand.
Unfashionable but thoroughly decent cars.
|
hi westpig
Hadn't considered the Astra but did have a quick look at the Almera as someone else suggested it and have seen a few decent priced ones.
Funnily enough someone at work is thinking of selling her Corsa SXi but for the life of me I cant remember what reg it is, think it's only a few years old, so that may be something to look at, she knows what my budget is.
My reasoning for Yaris size is that kids are only in it for 10 minute school run each day most of the time it will be just me and small hopefully equals economical, also my daughter is looking to learn to drive and would probably share the car with me.
Any big shopping trips or longer runs will be done in husbands Vectra.
Will have a good old look round the site and see what gets a decent review, thanks SO much for all the suggestions they are really helping.
Caroline
|
|
If you are still considering scrappage, why not look at Kia and Hyundai's smaller offerings? You'd be able to keep them for longer than the others due to the longer warranties and both do reasonable diesels reletavely cheap... Might be worth a visit to a dealer or two to see whats on offer?
|
|
Did think about the Hyundai i10 or i20 but understand there is a really long wait on these, may be worth a revisit see how long they are talking about, both of these models both seem to get quite good reviews
|
Funnily enough someone at work is thinking of selling her Corsa SXi
Isn't the old Vectra cdti more economical/bigger/quicker/faster? Ooops, 1.7d. No, it isn't.
Edited by FotheringtonThomas on 03/11/2009 at 16:13
|
Maybe its time to think laterally about this.
"small hopefully equals economical"
Only once you've paid for the smaller car. A second hand Yaris/Corsa is the class of car that holds its value best because everyone else after a runabout or first car wants one too.
For a typical motorist's mileage, depreciation the biggest cost you face. Interest on a car loan comes next. You don't have to contend with either with the Voyager. So, what mileage does your husband do? Could you swap his Vectra for the Voyager?
Failing that, you'll find the real cost of running (say) a 1.4 Astra or 1.5 Almera isn't much higher than a Yaris, and you'll buy a better example for less.
"also my daughter is looking to learn to drive and would probably share the car with me"
The £3000 you would spend on buying a supermini pays for a lot of driving lessons, and a lot of fuel. The estimate of £200 scrap allowance for the Voyager isn't far off, even if its understandably not what you hoped for.
If you are buying with a learner in mind, remember to get a quote for the model you have in mind. Certain models of the same size attract higher premiums than others.
|
Thanks Gromit,
swapping with husband isn't an option im afraid, he does more miles than me so back to plan A,
If I am following you correctly would you say going for the more unfashionable car ie Astra/ Almera as opposed to the Corsa type size of car.
I would be hoping that if we bought for maybe £3000 we would have a car for a few years and if it's worth nothing after that time as in the case of the voyager well we've had a good innings, even if we got 3 or 4 years that must be lots less depreciation than a new car.
Point taken ref the learner insurance will have to consider that
If i've totally misunderstood forgive me am a bit thick today.
caroline
|
caroline - if you're bored, try going to www.autotrader.co.uk/ and seeing what's around in your price range. You can narrow it down by limiting the search to (say):
Price: 2k - 3k
Fuel type: petrol
Transmission: manual
Body type: hatchback
Doors: 5
Engine size: 1L - 1.3L
perhaps fiddle around with Mileage and Distance, and see what you get. Keeps me quiet for hours :-)
|
thanks Focus
will give that a try later on, prepare for a shed load of questions though on whats A like as opposed to B and so on,
I'm slightly clueless, may have to start watching Top Gear and improve my knowledge.
|
I'm slightly clueless, may have to start watching Top Gear and improve my knowledge....
TG won't help!! But we can.
Lots of good suggestions on here. Understand your predicament. Happened to a relative who bought a motorbike. He was killed on it a few weeks later :-(
IMHO the best suggestions here have been the Almera size car (of which there are a huge variety of makes and models and prices) or the Belingo which is a left field idea which gives you lots of space for childrens stuff in the van (sorry boot).
Keeping the car is probably the most economical way and getting it fixed, but the list of things not working kind of make me feel that getting rid is the right idea, even if the economy could be increased to 20mpg, which is unlikely.
The best idea is to look for a size of car and then find the best example in terms of condition, price, mileage etc. Ignore make unless a make is particularly reliable or otherwise. The Focus is very popular and there are lots around, but there are others and at that age a low-tech diesel may be a good idea also (Citroen Xsara?)
|
I'm slightly clueless may have to start watching Top Gear and improve my knowledge.
>>
I hope you are joking, Top Gear is an entertainment programme loosely based on motoring, take their advice you will end up with something like a V8 sports car. :-)
|
Top Gear is an entertainment programme
The word "light" seems to be missing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
