Car Dilemma - Head vs Heart

randomshenans

randomshenans

randomshenans

Soldato
Joined
11 Sep 2009
Posts
14,064
Location
France, Alsace
Right small background on this, I will try not to witter.

I bought the car I currently own, a 1990 1.3 Escort Eclipse (genius, I know!) but it very much did the job. It's getting a bit long in the tooth but I'm going through a bit of a poor period (but going for a new job so hopefully that will help, but also involve a bit of a commute (50m per day).

I've just been offered a Volkswagen Corrado VR6 for £500 by a mate, and I'm a big VW fan and have had many many of them. Now I could JUST afford to buy this on payday Friday, but it would leave me really tight for the rest of the month. Did the figures and it is tight but just about possible. Now my heart is going RADO VR!11! But my head is going..hmmm you should be sensible really...

What would you guys do in my position? Go for the sensible option or take a punt on the VR? The VR needs MOT but shouldn't need a lot and I still have the escort until I want to chuck the VR through the MOT and ironically the insurance is cheaper on the Corrado! (Maybe I'm just older...)

So what are your thoughts?

:)
 
My thoughts are that running costs for the VR6 will probably make your Escort look quite cheap, especially if you are doing 50 miles a day. It's not a sensible choice if you are tight on money, best to put up with the Escort until you start earning better money in your new job IMO.
 
Ask him if you can pay in 2 instalments?

1st problem with the VW and it sounds like your eating fresh air for a month.
 
lol I know what you mean Fox, I've just been promoted where I am though as well, but obviously that won't help me until next month.

The escort does about 60-70miles to £10 which is now about 8litres so about 35mpg, which isn't bad and the VR is about 25mpg so about 50miles to £10. Doing the rough sums this would mean (based on 50m per day) £50 a week commuting. Which isn't too bad.

As you can see, I'm trying to talk myself in to this haa
 
You'd be better off spending £500 on a half decent whore for the night.

She'll probably go for a lot longer than the Corrado :D
 
I'm all one for running something you love, even if on a budget - but that will bring you nothing but pain both at the pumps, and in the garage, on your budget.
 
Buy it. If the worst happens stick it on ebay. You should easily be able to get your money back. Especially with a fresh MOT.

(...wonders why I have 2 cars on the drive, both with there engines out.)
 
Unless your Escort is ready to kick the bucket I'd stick with it. When you can afford a better car you can get something a bit more special :).
 
Think I'll swing by his unit tomorrow and see what he says. The escort seems OK but MOT is up in a month and will need 2 new wheel bearings, 2 new shocks, and 2 new tyres that I know of anyway.

I'll see what deal I can haggle with him I think and see what happens
 
Seriously on what planet is it a good idea for somebody who openly admits they are a bit poor to buy a 2.9 litre 15 year old performance car? :p

Dont do it. Wait until you are settled in your new job, have ample disposable income, THEN buy a car like that.

You'll ruin the ownership experience if every slight noise from the engine gets you worrying about a repair bill you'd not be able to afford.
 
[TW]Fox;16453192 said:
Seriously on what planet is it a good idea for somebody who openly admits they are a bit poor to buy a 2.9 litre 15 year old performance car? :p

Dont do it. Wait until you are settled in your new job, have ample disposable income, THEN buy a car like that.

You'll ruin the ownership experience if every slight noise from the engine gets you worrying about a repair bill you'd not be able to afford.
Click to expand...


How did you become so sensible at your age :)
 
:D Hahaha Well, it's always a giggle and I'm not that poor! Just poorer than I used to be, but getting better!

I used to own a mk1 Golf 1.8T and mk3 vr6 2.9 with cams bla bla and that was pretty greedy but only when proper footing it about.

I totally get what you are saying Fox and I'm not 100% sold, it will be decided if we can work something out I think.
 
[TW]Fox;16452869 said:
You can't afford a Corrado VR6

/thread
Click to expand...

This TBH

I can understand why people go for heart over head when it comes to car decisions, life is short after all :p BUT not at the expense of keeping your head above water.

I know of a couple of people who are doing a good job of getting themselves up to the eyeballs financially and it doesn't sound fun.
 
My advice is look at your monthly finances, put the in/out in an excel sheet or google worksheet.

Put all your bills like utilities/internet/council tax on direct debit.

Every month or two, call up the utilities and give them actual meter readings -this means you'll never have any unexpected bills, and you'll know exactly how much money you have.

Also, make a packed lunch for work, and don't buy fizzy drinks for work. It's easy to spend £3+ a day on lunch if you don't take any with you, this all adds up.

After a month or two, you'll know how much you have to play with after factoring out petrol / car insurance etc, and can budget in a sensible car for yourself :)
 
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