Cars with next to zero running costs

Muncher

Muncher

Muncher

Soldato
Joined
17 Oct 2002
Posts
7,169
Location
Ipswich
Interesting one for you here, I don't think there is anything that fits the bill but I may be proven wrong.

I've currently got the VX which gets used for special trips and fun trips.

I've also got a tatty 1995 M Reg diesel Golf which I park at the train station each day, use for journeys to the dump and for football trips. The great thing is it is ultra cheap and disposable.

Running costs are:

Insurance: £160
Tax: £190
Servicing: As good as zero
MOT £33
Repairs: £140 for an exhaust, £50 clutch, nothing much else in 3 years
Tyres: Zero so far, but may need some soon
MPG: About 40-45mpg with diesel

For instance if you had a budget up to £3k do you think it would be possible to buy something nicer, which had similar, next to zero running costs even taking into account depreciation? Obviously to an extent it would depend upon how good a deal you got initially.
 
I think I would probably prefer German to be honest, a luxobarge. I'm not sure any of those would work out though?
 
it'd be complete luck of the draw with most things. Sure, there are plenty of older cars that would be dirt cheap to run on the face of it but getting a reliable example would be the most important factor and the most difficult part.
 
I feel spending 3k on a car is too much money, you want something older and cheaper to fix, you don't want a complex 5 series.

Something along the lines of what you already have is perfect, other options 406 HDI or 306 HDI, these should all run for ages with minimal effort and cost (provided the electrics hold up).
 
A Cavalier Diesel I once had cost nothing but the diesel. It had a years T&T when I got it for £900. Sold it for £850 with a new MOT and no tax.
 
If you could get a 8 or 9 year old car for just under £2k, it would always be worth £2k for the scrapage scheme in a year or two.
 
Bill101 said:
If you could get a 8 or 9 year old car for just under £2k, it would always be worth £2k for the scrapage scheme in a year or two.
Click to expand...

The scrappage scheme which expires in 9 months and requires you to have owned the car for at least 12 months to qualify for it?
 
Janesy B said:
This.

Your Lolvo had some pretty serious roll going on when you left the car park. We thought you were going to tip over :o
Click to expand...

I think that roll comes as standard. You can still chuck it into corners and do rather well (especially considering it's a live axle). It's actually quite amusing.

I guess I'll be failing the next MOT on suspension then?
 
My early 1998 Primera GT isn't bad on the old running costs.

Last year it cost me £450 to keep it running (inc servicing, MOT, part replacement)

Can get 40mpg on a run (if you're careful) insurance is very good for the performance. Handles brilliantly and is spacious inside.

EDIT: oh, just seen you want a £3k German luxobarge. TBH i can't really see something like that being cheap to run at all
 
Lum said:
I think that roll comes as standard. You can still chuck it into corners and do rather well (especially considering it's a live axle). It's actually quite amusing.

I guess I'll be failing the next MOT on suspension then?
Click to expand...

Certainly amusing from where I was standing :p

It might not fail but it will certainly gain an advisory for it's boat like handling :D
 
What I mean but this is the Golf does the job at the moment but am I missing a trick by not having a more expensive car sitting there which also costs peanuts.

Pretty much all the mechanical stuff I could sort myself.
 
Not really, sometimes it's best to stick with what you have than go with an unknown quantity which could end up becoming rather expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom