Debating to change car, should I?
Discussion
Hey all
Just wondering if you guys can give me some advice and what you guys would do.
Currently got a 2010 Abarth 500 with about 65k on the clock but lately its starting to cost more in maintenance due to its age, the latest is bodywork as got rust starting to appear in the wheel arches (common issue on the Abarth 500) and suspect along with sorting the stone chips on the bonnet and the new ding in the door from a car park and sorting the wheels its gonna cost a little bit to sort. I don't know if to trade it in and put the money that I would have put into getting this car sorted into another.
The question is what car should I change it to? I have had this Abarth for nearly 10 years now and it does have a comprehensive service history.
Cars I have been looking at (budget around 7.5k - 9k-ish, with Abarth traded in plus maybe bit more) are generally around same age or older so would they suffer the same issues that I have got now?
I do fancy maybe something different to what I have had for nearly 10 years and still fancy a hot hatch (unless you have any other suggestions) although an estate of some sorts might be quite handy for daily life but probably out of budget.
I just don't know if trading in a 2010 car for similar age car or older is a bit of false economy, what's your thoughts on that?
Cars been looking at are Golf GTI, Polo GTI, Golf R32, Renault Megane Sport, Renault Clio Sport.
Any other recommendations?
Just wondering if you guys can give me some advice and what you guys would do.
Currently got a 2010 Abarth 500 with about 65k on the clock but lately its starting to cost more in maintenance due to its age, the latest is bodywork as got rust starting to appear in the wheel arches (common issue on the Abarth 500) and suspect along with sorting the stone chips on the bonnet and the new ding in the door from a car park and sorting the wheels its gonna cost a little bit to sort. I don't know if to trade it in and put the money that I would have put into getting this car sorted into another.
The question is what car should I change it to? I have had this Abarth for nearly 10 years now and it does have a comprehensive service history.
Cars I have been looking at (budget around 7.5k - 9k-ish, with Abarth traded in plus maybe bit more) are generally around same age or older so would they suffer the same issues that I have got now?
I do fancy maybe something different to what I have had for nearly 10 years and still fancy a hot hatch (unless you have any other suggestions) although an estate of some sorts might be quite handy for daily life but probably out of budget.
I just don't know if trading in a 2010 car for similar age car or older is a bit of false economy, what's your thoughts on that?
Cars been looking at are Golf GTI, Polo GTI, Golf R32, Renault Megane Sport, Renault Clio Sport.
Any other recommendations?
If you want a change don't do it because maintenance might be tricky, whatever you buy (at whatever age) it could have the same problems rear their head.
However if you want a change for other reasons, crack on imho. I would say a good foil to a small FWD hot hatch would be something a bit bigger and RWD, but that's my innate love of having something different regularly.
Of the cars you've listed I'd have the Megane, but all of them have potential to need deferred maintenance if you get unlucky.
However if you want a change for other reasons, crack on imho. I would say a good foil to a small FWD hot hatch would be something a bit bigger and RWD, but that's my innate love of having something different regularly.
Of the cars you've listed I'd have the Megane, but all of them have potential to need deferred maintenance if you get unlucky.
FIATs lol.
I'd expect the R32 will be costly to run in petrol and tax and it's getting on a bit so will need a lot of maintaining.They sound nice but more modern stuff would handle and perform much better and probably get better mileage (expect 25mpg for the R32, 35mpg for a mk7 R which would also be much faster and handle a lot better).
The Renaults would be good drivers cars but would expect they would need at least as much TLC as your abarth.
Newer VWs aren't great quality, they consider things like water pumps as consumables and they aren't cheap to replace. Unless you really have to have the VW badge Seats are the same thing as VWs under the skin with slightly lower grade trim in places but you can get a 300hp Leon Cupra for the price of a 200hp GTI (used) and the Cupra would probably have a lot more extras thrown in that VW normally charge more for (heated seats etc.).
I'd expect the R32 will be costly to run in petrol and tax and it's getting on a bit so will need a lot of maintaining.They sound nice but more modern stuff would handle and perform much better and probably get better mileage (expect 25mpg for the R32, 35mpg for a mk7 R which would also be much faster and handle a lot better).
The Renaults would be good drivers cars but would expect they would need at least as much TLC as your abarth.
Newer VWs aren't great quality, they consider things like water pumps as consumables and they aren't cheap to replace. Unless you really have to have the VW badge Seats are the same thing as VWs under the skin with slightly lower grade trim in places but you can get a 300hp Leon Cupra for the price of a 200hp GTI (used) and the Cupra would probably have a lot more extras thrown in that VW normally charge more for (heated seats etc.).
Krikkit said:
If you want a change don't do it because maintenance might be tricky, whatever you buy (at whatever age) it could have the same problems rear their head.
However if you want a change for other reasons, crack on imho. I would say a good foil to a small FWD hot hatch would be something a bit bigger and RWD, but that's my innate love of having something different regularly.
Of the cars you've listed I'd have the Megane, but all of them have potential to need deferred maintenance if you get unlucky.
Yeah that's what I've been thinking too. Could I ask what a good foil is? Haha However if you want a change for other reasons, crack on imho. I would say a good foil to a small FWD hot hatch would be something a bit bigger and RWD, but that's my innate love of having something different regularly.
Of the cars you've listed I'd have the Megane, but all of them have potential to need deferred maintenance if you get unlucky.
Bryanwww said:
FIATs lol.
I'd expect the R32 will be costly to run in petrol and tax and it's getting on a bit so will need a lot of maintaining.They sound nice but more modern stuff would handle and perform much better and probably get better mileage (expect 25mpg for the R32, 35mpg for a mk7 R which would also be much faster and handle a lot better).
The Renaults would be good drivers cars but would expect they would need at least as much TLC as your abarth.
Newer VWs aren't great quality, they consider things like water pumps as consumables and they aren't cheap to replace. Unless you really have to have the VW badge Seats are the same thing as VWs under the skin with slightly lower grade trim in places but you can get a 300hp Leon Cupra for the price of a 200hp GTI (used) and the Cupra would probably have a lot more extras thrown in that VW normally charge more for (heated seats etc.).
Yeah Fiat's and abarths indeed, seems to need constant looking after at moment. Fun car to drive but hardwork sometimes.I'd expect the R32 will be costly to run in petrol and tax and it's getting on a bit so will need a lot of maintaining.They sound nice but more modern stuff would handle and perform much better and probably get better mileage (expect 25mpg for the R32, 35mpg for a mk7 R which would also be much faster and handle a lot better).
The Renaults would be good drivers cars but would expect they would need at least as much TLC as your abarth.
Newer VWs aren't great quality, they consider things like water pumps as consumables and they aren't cheap to replace. Unless you really have to have the VW badge Seats are the same thing as VWs under the skin with slightly lower grade trim in places but you can get a 300hp Leon Cupra for the price of a 200hp GTI (used) and the Cupra would probably have a lot more extras thrown in that VW normally charge more for (heated seats etc.).
Yeah your probably right with the R32. We use to have a Ibiza FR many years ago and our family car currently is Octavia VRS so use to the VW scene, wouldn't necessarily need VW, I'll check the Leon. What age Leon would you recommend?
Any other makes I've not mentioned that I should consider? Any safe makes that if I went low milage but older would be safer to go with?
Turnip Farmer said:
Any other makes I've not mentioned that I should consider? Any safe makes that if I went low milage but older would be safer to go with?
There’s nothing totally safe, but the Japanese and Korean makes generally do better for reliability. The flip side is they might rust more than less reliable makes. Might be worth trying a Kia ProCeed or see if you could find a nice Civic Type RCar prices have gone nuts lately but these should feel a step up from an Abarth and fit in that price range:
FN2 civic type R (around 2010 models had an LSD) - would by my pick as these Honda's always seem to go to big mileage.
Fiesta ST and some change for modding it (or get a mountune one).
FN2 civic type R (around 2010 models had an LSD) - would by my pick as these Honda's always seem to go to big mileage.
Fiesta ST and some change for modding it (or get a mountune one).
Bryanwww said:
Car prices have gone nuts lately but these should feel a step up from an Abarth and fit in that price range:
FN2 civic type R (around 2010 models had an LSD) - would by my pick as these Honda's always seem to go to big mileage.
Fiesta ST and some change for modding it (or get a mountune one).
Yeah I'll check out a Civic Type R, not a massive fan of the shape from that time but will consider it.FN2 civic type R (around 2010 models had an LSD) - would by my pick as these Honda's always seem to go to big mileage.
Fiesta ST and some change for modding it (or get a mountune one).
I have had a good think and this is my list so far in this order, certainly think the Golf will probably be older than my Abarth, the Megane about the same age or little younger and Fiesta little younger too.
1. Golf R32
2. Megane 250
3. Fiesta ST
4. Focus ST (older shape)
Turnip Farmer said:
After doing bit of research it seems that R32 prices are all over the place.
I think I have to choose carefully with the R32 as I know there are few rust issues.
Anyone else know of common issues on the R32?
Same for the Megane, slightly newer but any common issues with the Megane?
Rust us the major issue with the R32 engine is solid oh it’s 4wd as well which would scare me a bit on a older car that will be out of any warranty. I think I have to choose carefully with the R32 as I know there are few rust issues.
Anyone else know of common issues on the R32?
Same for the Megane, slightly newer but any common issues with the Megane?
So to sum it up.
You have got an old car that is starting to cost a little to keep it road worthy and in decent shape.
You are thinking of paying out for another old car which you have no clue how good it's been looked after, to cost an unexpected amount to keep it road worthy and in decent shape.
I think the only option really is keep the current car until you're in a better position to afford a much new car that won't need this sort of attention. If you aren't bored of the Abarth and don't need a different car then don't change.
You have got an old car that is starting to cost a little to keep it road worthy and in decent shape.
You are thinking of paying out for another old car which you have no clue how good it's been looked after, to cost an unexpected amount to keep it road worthy and in decent shape.
I think the only option really is keep the current car until you're in a better position to afford a much new car that won't need this sort of attention. If you aren't bored of the Abarth and don't need a different car then don't change.
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