Cars with next to zero running costs

It passed ok in March.

Well actually it failed on a 35% brake imbalance, but once that was fixed it passed ok.

As for the OPs question. I think part of it comes down to how much you're prepared to work on the car yourself. If you're happy doing work on cars then get an old Ford, it may break more often, but the parts are cheap. If you're going to be paying a mechanic for everything, then a Toyota or Honda is probably a better bet because they'll break less often and the more expensive parts wont count for much once you add in the labour charges.

It's a shame you can't stretch the budget a little. With the 2K scrappage scheme on that Golf, you could probably get yourself a brand new Kia Grotbox with a 7 year warranty and then you just need to worry about the costs on the servicing schedule.
 
I'd go for a Saab. I had mine for 18months and in that time I spent tyres and fuel on it.

Ok it wasn't the most economical but if you were really frugal with it you could get good fuel economy out of it :)
 
In what terms?

What I really fancy is an E39 5 series Fox, decent spec, not too fussed about the engine at all, can be an auto, can be mega miles. If expense lies there Fox, in what areas? Assume I'd not be paying for any labour.
 
May seem silly to some, but a MK1 MX5 and many old jap cars are stupidly cheap to run.

Not just the fact that they are very reliable, but that being old they are simple to service and fix yourself
 
Peter Diffey said:
May seem silly to some, but a MK1 MX5 and many old jap cars are stupidly cheap to run.

Not just the fact that they are very reliable, but that being old they are simple to service and fix yourself
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I need more room for a second car. And something that I wouldn't be any way inclined to modify for performance.
 
My old Mondeos never cost anything to run bar normal servicing.

Pretty much same costs as your Golf although insurance was higher for me at the time.

If you had to do frequent longer drives then ideal otherwise your diesel Golf would take a real beating.
 
Muncher said:
In what terms?

What I really fancy is an E39 5 series Fox, decent spec, not too fussed about the engine at all, can be an auto, can be mega miles. If expense lies there Fox, in what areas? Assume I'd not be paying for any labour.
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Little bits here and there, heater blower motor, radiator, a wheel bearing, tyres at £500 a set, 20mpg, etc.
 
Another vote for an old Merc. We've had a couple old mercs (early 90's) and they've been very little trouble tbh.

But there is definitely something to be said for the Golf you have atm. Buying a replacement car is delving slighlty into the unknown.
 
The_Dark_Side said:
Try this

Plenty of kit, mileage is sub 100k, the cars are bomb proof. Job done.
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Completely agree that they're bomb proof - we used to own one and the only thing that needed replacing was the rocker cover gasket. It is a V6 though so it won't be the most economical and insurance is a bit pricey (Group 16 or something).
 
[TW]Fox;14015857 said:
Little bits here and there, heater blower motor, radiator, a wheel bearing, tyres at £500 a set, 20mpg, etc.
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I don't really do enough miles in it for mpg to be any great concern. Certainly less than 5k per year.

Are those parts not available second hand or as pattern parts?
 
Well some are but pattern parts for the most are false economy. Why fit a second hand worn part? You'll just need to do the job again in future :confused
 
Muncher said:
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.
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A lot of this depends on circumstances. For example: My MY57 530d. I pay £322 a month on lease hire. This, and fuel, tyres, tax is more than covered by my expenses for mileage rate. All servicing for 3 and half years is included in my plan. Therefore, I pay...................nothing to run my car and I still pocket around £100 a week from it. :)

Go me!
 
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