Fiesta driver seeks value performance

[-|ScottFree|-]

Value performance can be found in two great little cars. The Seat Ibiza 08 and previous. The Skoda fabia vRS 07 and previous.

These two cars give outstanding value and considerably warm to hot hatch performance.

1.9 130bhp PD engine. A fantastic lil engine...Used in the Alambra which is an people carrier and returns over 50mpg. In Ibiza and Fabia form you can hit these hard and still return over 60mpg... and they are quick!

 

[Saytan]

and they are quick!

No.

 

[SithUK]

Thanks for the Ibiza tip. I hadn't considered them at all. 1.8 petrol and autotrader reports a 0-60mph of 7.3s. Comparable fuel efficiency to the 2.0 TFSI A3. Second hand they seem to have depreciated heavier than the A3s. I'd therefore hope to pay a lower depreciation charge to own one. Then again, the A3 might hold its money just as well.

I need to go and view both options. I suspect the A3 will be a nicer place to be (sound levels, quality of finish?).

 

[Kingy]

Stock suggestion on here, but if your performance criteria and running budget has stretched to 200bhp, have a look at an E46 330Ci Sport Coupe.

Also, a left of field suggestion for someone after more comfort, or at least more comfort than a Fiesta, what about a 2 seater convertible? It won't be as comfortable as the Golf/A3/E46 et al, but if you can ignore the noise, weekend jaunts with the top down can be very pleasant and the depreciation is typically lower than on the newer hatches you've been looking at, which gives a nod to the TCO figure you're sensibly focusing on... The 6k annual mileage should mean that fuel costs are almost irrelevant,

E85 Z4 / S2000 / TT / Mk3 MX-5 all worth a look, you *could* even stretch to a 986 Boxster S, but probably shouldn't.

 

[marcus_667]

couple of ibiza cupra tdis on pistonheads for 6-8k

 

[SithUK]

Kingy: I've discounted two seaters. I like the capacity to take more than two people, even if I do typically use the back seat as a coat shelf. For a sole car choice I've decided on avoiding the two seaters. I am keen on them though, just not yet.

I know the E46 330ci sport coupe is popular on this forum. For very good reason. It is a comfortable place to be and is a 6.5s car (0-60). I've seen reasonable looking 2005 examples for £10k.

I estimate costs of ownership at:
Insurance: £600
Fuel: £1270
Maintence: £1000
Tax: £235
Depreciation: £1200
Loss of return on capital: £500

Total: £4,800

This compares to £4,200 for the A3 TFSI.

It is a difficult choice. I do not think the extra performance is worth £600/year. The slightly shorter wheelbase of the A3 may be easier to navigate around town too. Though I not so sure, the E46 330 is quite compact too.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I think a 2005 E46 330Ci is going to be depreciating by a lot more than £1200 a year, personally. Thats the only real flaw in your figures, the rest of it looks spot on but you seem to be counting opportunity cost which I'm not really sure is right, its not something you actually have to pay, is it..

 

[hurfdurf]

Value performance can be found in two great little cars. The Seat Ibiza 08 and previous. The Skoda fabia vRS 07 and previous.

These two cars give outstanding value and considerably warm to hot hatch performance.

1.9 130bhp PD engine. A fantastic lil engine...Used in the Alambra which is an people carrier and returns over 50mpg. In Ibiza and Fabia form you can hit these hard and still return over 60mpg... and they are quick!

LOL

 

[SithUK]

I think a 2005 E46 330Ci is going to be depreciating by a lot more than £1200 a year, personally.

Hi Fox, would £1.7k/year be nearer the mark for annual depreciation on a 2005 330ci?

you seem to be counting opportunity cost which I'm not really sure is right, its not something you actually have to pay, is it

Opportunity cost?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Hi Fox, would £1.7k/year be nearer the mark for annual depreciation on a 2005 330ci?

Sounds better.

Opportunity cost?

Yes, your figure for loss on return of capital? Thats opportunity cost, right? Ie it's money you WOULD have earnt had you invested the money you are spending on the car? It isn't a bill you need to pay.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Value performance can be found in two great little cars. The Seat Ibiza 08 and previous. The Skoda fabia vRS 07 and previous.

These two cars give outstanding value and considerably warm to hot hatch performance.

1.9 130bhp PD engine. A fantastic lil engine...Used in the Alambra which is an people carrier and returns over 50mpg. In Ibiza and Fabia form you can hit these hard and still return over 60mpg... and they are quick!

ROFL and i thought people only posted bad jokes in GD.

 

[SithUK]

Yes, your figure for loss on return of capital? Thats opportunity cost, right? Ie it's money you WOULD have earnt had you invested the money you are spending on the car? It isn't a bill you need to pay.

Fox, you are right that it is not a bill I would need to pay. I still like to consider the lost (potential) return on the investment though.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Surely that isnt a relevent figure for comparing cars, only deciding to buy a car or not buy a car?

 

[sanaxe1]

Surely you would only use the loss of return on capital when comparing potential cars.

Loss of capital on initial Price of car if you decide to buy the more expensive of your choices.

Loss of capital of running costs compared to cheaper alternatives.

But then you have to take into account what benefits you get from the higher purchase.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Sure, it allows for comparison obviously, but look at the difference in this figure between cars. It's about 50 quid a year, its hardly worth considering.

 

[sanaxe1]

Sure, it allows for comparison obviously, but look at the difference in this figure between cars. It's about 50 quid a year, its hardly worth considering.

Sorry i agreeing with you. I meant that he should not use it on the basis of buying a car vs not buying a car , as he needs a car. So it wouldn't be £10,000 @ 5% = £500 opportunity cost etc. But if he was to use it he should use it when comparing cars only, which will give a much smaller amount.

 

[DM]

How much return are you actually going to get on saved money at the moment?

 

[SithUK]

Sanaxe: Thanks for that. I've updated the way I calculated the RoC. I'm now applying the opportunity cost to the relative increased cost over my current car.

Fox: The opportunity cost equates to around £370/year for a 350z or E46 330ci over the Fiesta. Not a deal breaker perhaps but interesting to note.