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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why people don't buy cheaper cars

161 replies

JaceLancs · 22/02/2017 10:00

This has come up on a few threads recently about people saying they can't afford a car
Why not just buy something older smaller or cheaper?
The most I would consider spending would be £5000 and I would have to borrow or save that - if my current 14 year old car becomes unrepairable in the near future I would buy a put me on for around £1000
DD last car was £800 DS just bought first car for less than £500
They are all very reliable and cheap to run and repair
DD and my car both come into cheap insurance and tax brackets

OP posts:

parking2017 · 22/02/2017 13:40

ive had cheaper cars (£250-£1500) and they cost by far as much to keep on the road as if I had spent more and got a newer car that didn't need so much upkeep.

Its a fine balance though as you could spend more on a car and it end up not being reliable as £5k can get you a decent 2 year old cheap small hatchback or a 7-10 year old premium hatchback which is likely to have more repair bills.

Its part of the reason for people getting leases as the cars are brand new and you can budget your monthly payment.

The downside of this is if your circumstances change half way through a 3 year lease, its not as easy to downgrade or get rid of it.

If you had a loan for the same value you can sell it or trade it in for a cheaper model. Sometimes this can be just as difficult to be honest.

LoveAB · 22/02/2017 13:48

I often try and get my head around this. Can I ask a question OP (or anyone) - do you get your cars serviced?

We bought an 08 car for £4000 and my DH is keen that it should be serviced every year (either full or part)...it all adds up and I'm not sure it needs it?

My parents always bought old cars and never got them serviced, they just ran them into the ground. DH's parents always got new cars and have them serviced.

What do you think?! Thanks.

LoupGarou · 22/02/2017 13:49

Oh no Orangebird69 I am so, so sorry. I know that doesn't begin to cover it

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 13:53

We bought an 08 car for £4000 and my DH is keen that it should be serviced every year (either full or part)...it all adds up and I'm not sure it needs it?

I have never skipped a service in either a new or old car - your car is your life support on the road.

In my parents time people didn't have official services, but it was easier to maintain your car yourself then (simpler older designs) and more people had the skills to "tinker" with their cars.

Even if you're "running it into the ground" - i.e. keeping it until it's for scrap, you still service it so it's safe while you're using it!

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 13:54

Love if you're serious about skipping on servicing, learn what you can about car maintenance and at least DIY service it! (easier on old models than new)

LoupGarou · 22/02/2017 13:54

LoveAB

Yes, every six months and I check them both over and top up fluids etc once a month. A car, even a new one, is only as reliable as the care and maintenance it gets. Imagine if you lived on nothing but McDonalds and beer, however old you are it wouldn't be long before your health started suffering would it? It does add up but it's a false economy not to.

UnbornMortificado · 22/02/2017 13:55

Orange I'm very sorry for your families loss

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 13:55

p.s. as well as full services you also need to do the more frequent checks yourself.

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 13:56

Orange x

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 13:57

back to the servicing question, it's a bit like saying that if you don't want to rent out or sell your home you don't need to bother with gas safety certs.
Technically true, but why would you skimp on that for yourself?

LoveAB · 22/02/2017 13:57

Thanks for the replies TinselTwins and LoupGarou - much appreciated.

Doesn't the yearly MOT check that it's all in working order and safe though?

(Sorry if I'm being very ignorant!)

NotSayingImBatman · 22/02/2017 13:58

Well if people didn't buy brand new cars, there would be no second hand cars for you, OP, would there?

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 13:58

Some MOT packages include a service
otherwise, no, they check it for road safety but don't do the maintenance to keep it working at its best and most efficient & safe

LoupGarou · 22/02/2017 14:02

LoveAB MOT tests basic safety, but stuff like oil changes are extremely important (for fuel economy, reliability, life of engine etc) and won't be covered. Not ignorant at all

WaitrosePigeon · 22/02/2017 14:03

If I bought that car then the depreciation alone would cost me more than that. And in 2 years I'll be able to get another brand new car.

What happens if you dent or scratch your current car? Do you still get the brand new car? Just wondering.

LoupGarou · 22/02/2017 14:04

Also LoveAB I don't live in the UK, but friends of ours do and get offers on servicing from places like Groupon, works out much cheaper that way.

Thenew72 · 22/02/2017 14:06

Vanity

TinselTwins · 22/02/2017 14:12

you can pretty much write off the cost of servicing because the better efficiencey cancels it out

vanity? I don't give a fuck what other people think of my car, most of the nice things about new cars are inside them for the driver/passengers to enjoy!

LoveAB · 22/02/2017 14:21

Ok thanks for the advice ladies! Perhaps I won't whinge at DH so much next year then (perhaps ) x

Lweji · 22/02/2017 17:06

My parents always bought old cars and never got them serviced, they just ran them into the ground. DH's parents always got new cars and have them serviced.
What do you think?

I've got mine regularly serviced. It's still going after about 15 years.
It's up to you.
Service means cleaning oil filters, checking brakes, brake fluid, changing important belts.
What do you think?

DropZoneOne · 22/02/2017 17:12

I've had a few cars, always buying second hand and keeping them until getting it through the MOT starts to be prohibitive. For me, it's worked out the most cost effective, and as I've earned more and been able to save more, I've been able to get newer cars with more features. I buy through garages, which does work out more expensive, but then they do any necessary work and give it an MOT from the off, and usually a warranty for a few months.

I'm picking up a new-to-me car tomorrow. I knew what I wanted, and did consider finance to be able to get a newer version, but I just couldn't justify it to myself. However, for my colleague, who likes to change her car every three years, it makes more sense to always be "renting" her car.

Witchend · 22/02/2017 17:17

My parents have a beloved old banger vintage car. Df would take offense at the word vintage because you see it's as safe (ha ha) as it ever was, and as good as it ever was despite the fact they won't take it long distances without an escort to pick up them when it breaks down

Every year I have a discussion with my dm who tells me the large service/MOT/other repair work bill that they've had. I'm telling you with new tyres and a full tank of petrol it's worth three times the value! I suspect just the MOT price probably writes it off
This is a car which has been treated very well (df used to dry it with a towel if it had been out in the rain-bless) and looked after in all ways.

They got it in early 80s and it wasn't new then.

GabsAlot · 22/02/2017 17:30

i always thought i would buy a new car but just not feasible-some of them seem to have low deposits but even then the monthly payments seem huge-and by the time u finished paying for it its worth less an older one u cold buy in the first place

Original poster

JaceLancs · 22/02/2017 17:45

Yes always have regularly serviced - maybe that's why they last well
My post was not that everyone should buy cheaper older or smaller it was directed at people who have been saying I can't afford to buy a car or replace one - who complain about living in rural areas or not being able to take or change a job due to transport issues

OP posts:

Notreallyhappy · 22/02/2017 17:54

Some buy old some get new.. it's what you think best for the position your in.
I had 2nd hand for most of my single life.. mostly shite. I could of paid for a new one in garage bills. My last car was six months old now 11 years passed on to ds. Ive got a sparkly new one as promised by dh now we can afford it.

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