General How many miles have you done?

[306maxi]

.

Which is one reason why running costs have a much greater effect on the value of secondhand cars than new ones. Folks paying £40k+ for the latest superfast wonderwagon (sorry if my pricing is a little out of date) likely don't care about the fuel cost, as it's still a drop in the ocean compared to the annual depreciation/excise duty/insurance, and still only a relatively small percentage of their disposable income.

Someone taking home £1000 pm will likely be buying an older car, and fuel will be the single biggest item in their motoring budget.

So in 10 years time, that £40k wonderwagon could easily be worth less than my 10yr old Panda. And its 1st yr depreciation will easily be way more than I paid for it outright.

In general, the cheaper & more economical the car, the more sense it makes to buy it new.

That's why we bought new. I'd always said I'd never but new but it just made sense and meant I wasn't driving around in something that hadn't been ragged or poorly serviced by someone else

 

[loveshandbags]

It is already..

A while ago I was looking at 2nd hand market and some motors were working out so the overall cost of owning them for 3-years/36k were about equal regardless of engine. I.e. otherwise similar 1.9TDi Octavia vs. 1.8T (petrol). For example completely at random, a couple of BMWs (trade sales, both autos) on autotrader right now:

525D, 2004/54, 25,000 miles, £11k (@40mpg 36k will cost £5.6k)
530i, 2004/54, 29,000, £9k (@30mpg 36k will cost c.£7.6k)

There are some amazing prices on 'prestigous' models. With a number of garages 'going to the wall' and then re-surfacing with no debt their stock is being sold at rock bottom prices (Maxell motors re-opened under 'new management' ). For those who have downgraded to an economic runabout have been pleasantly surprised at the 'acceptance' of it. The 500 has probably carved a niche for itself since it appeals to individuals from 'all walks of life'. The trend will be for smaller cars and not flash 'expensive to maintain' ones which gives the value for money of the 5 series. The 'exception to the rule' are the large People carriers that some parents feel obliged to purchase e.g. Chrysler Voyager for 3 small kids.

 

[306maxi]

There are some amazing prices on 'prestigous' models. With a number of garages 'going to the wall' and then re-surfacing with no debt their stock is being sold at rock bottom prices (Maxell motors re-opened under 'new management' ). For those who have downgraded to an economic runabout have been pleasantly surprised at the 'acceptance' of it. The 500 has probably carved a niche for itself since it appeals to individuals from 'all walks of life'. The trend will be for smaller cars and not flash 'expensive to maintain' ones which gives the value for money of the 5 series. The 'exception to the rule' are the large People carriers that some parents feel obliged to purchase e.g. Chrysler Voyager for 3 small kids.

A guy I know whose wife just plopped out a kid is already talking about upgrading from his Fester to a Focus....... Strange.....

 

[blitz7287]

A guy I know whos wife just plopped out a kid

thats awesome terminology there

 

[pearce_jj]

The main problem with 3 small kids is fitting the damn seats in (across, especially).

 

[chaazureblue]

Bought the car 30/09/2009, it had 9,654 miles on the clock. Almost a year later, I've taken it up to 15,000 . Very proud for my first car. The only problems was my Ipod did not connect, bluetooth was very slow and the rear windscreen wiper did not work (due to the pipe not fitted properly, had an argument with Fiat in Guildford as it wasn't under warranty for breakages). But apart from that its done very well, only filled the oil up today 2l and constantly filling the windscreen wash up but thats from living in rural areas and driving everywhere where mud is involved! But she is still going strong.

 

[306maxi]

Bought the car 30/09/2009, it had 9,654 miles on the clock. Almost a year later, I've taken it up to 15,000 . Very proud for my first car. The only problems was my Ipod did not connect, bluetooth was very slow and the rear windscreen wiper did not work (due to the pipe not fitted properly, had an argument with Fiat in Guildford as it wasn't under warranty for breakages). But apart from that its done very well, only filled the oil up today 2l and constantly filling the windscreen wash up but thats from living in rural areas and driving everywhere where mud is involved! But she is still going strong.

Did you really put 2l of oil in?

 

[chaazureblue]

I didn't, the bloke at the fiat garage did. So I haven't an actual clue I'm afraid.

 

[306maxi]

3 options for you

1. You have been running around with far too much oil in your engine for too long and have most likely done damage to it
2. The mechanic is a bellend and has overfilled your engine, this will also do damage
3. He put 200ml in and charged you for 2l.

 

[chaazureblue]

Well, I know it isn't too much oil. Yes, the mechanic, but I checked before I left, haven't looked to see how much he put in. But thank you, shows how much I know. .

 

[jrkitching]

...only filled the oil up today 2l

Did you really put 2l of oil in?

I'm flabbergasted. Oil capacity for the 1.2 petrol is just 2.8 litres, and 300ml of that is in the filter. So unless it's now dangerously overfilled, or FIAT cheated you, (both of which would not surprise me), or you're completely mistaken about the quantity, you've been running around with about a cupful of oil in the sump.

I'm wondering now when your car last had an oil & filter change.

 

[chaazureblue]

TBH, probably when I bought it, haven't had many problems. But my local fiat garage aren't particularly good. Whats the capacity for 1.4 petrol? Sorry, again being stupidly young doh :bang:

 

[grimwau]

TBH, probably when I bought it, haven't had many problems. But my local fiat garage aren't particularly good. Whats the capacity for 1.4 petrol? Sorry, again being stupidly young doh :bang:

Hi Briony, capacities shown below. 2.75 litres sump capacity for the 1.4.

 

[jrkitching]

Whats the capacity for 1.4 petrol?

2.9 litres.

I'd seriously recommend you read your owners handbook and pay particular attention to the part which describes the routine maintenance items to be carried out by the owner.

I check the oil level in all my cars every time I fill up with fuel. Running the engine with insufficient oil in it can cause serious and permanent damage that could cost thousands to fix, and won't be covered by warranty.

I've no difficulty at all in believing your local garage are useless, but it's not their fault that you very nearly ran your car out of oil. The essential maintenance items aren't hard to learn or to do, and could save you from both an inconvenient breakdown and an unexpected bill.


(sorry grimwau, you got there first!)

 

[chaazureblue]

Oh dear, I should've checked before I ran for help. Thank you though.

 

[jrkitching]

Oh dear, I should've checked before I ran for help. Thank you though.

Nothing wrong with asking for help - that's what we're here for. And most of us have learned much of what we know by making mistakes. Guess I was very fortunate to have a Grandfather who taught me how to use a spanner about the same time as I learned to walk.

 

[chaazureblue]

Thanks for understanding. I would say I had similar but my grandfathers last car was a Honda Jazz and my stepdad isn't a good influence. I'll stick to the tractors this time.

 

[jrkitching]

...I was very fortunate to have a Grandfather who taught me how to use a spanner about the same time as I learned to walk...

Just thought I'd dig out this photo of yours truly, 'learning the trade'. (click to enlarge)

Thanks, Grandad:worship:

 

[Heidi]

Got on 13 sep 2008
Done 29700 miles

Had two new breather hoses, new discs and pads, heater fan replaced once, wire to boot repaired and two new tyres.

Intend to keep til 2017 out of necessity rather than choice but whether I get that far remains to be seen.....normally change car every 2.5 years so this MOT business is a new thing for me! So guess the car will have done about 90k miles and be worth about a tenner!

 

[306maxi]

Just thought I'd dig out this photo of yours truly, 'learning the trade'. (click to enlarge)

Thanks, Grandad:worship:

Here's a picture of yours truly checking the oil on his car back in Australia.

Oh and yes the bonnet, wings and front panel are green and the rest of the car is beige, so what?