Soldato
- Joined
- 2 Jul 2019
- Posts
- 2,712
Motor heads or knowledgeable folk, advice please. It's a curious time with prices, will they come down, will they not? Lots of factors here, and cars being having their own supply issues on top.
I've got a 54 plate Meriva which is great for throwing stuff in the back, has been hella reliable, the rear seats fold flat and are never sat up. 109k miles but rusting and corroding away, paintwork shafted, and cam belt due (£300)(time wise, not mileage). Service, MOT, and tax all due in 2 months. Tax on the tax is £290 alone. Time to ditch? Budget would be £5k (petrol/manual) if old prices were a thing, i just don't want to pay more for another money sink, but could do a bit more if it were worth it (£8k). I do 200 miles a week on average, frequent a ULEZ, need cruise control for motoway use due to knee issues.
Thanks
[edit]
Didn't expect many replies, so thanks for the comments. Some information. The car is ULEZ compliant (bristol & bath) as would have ditched it already if not. MPG seems to sit at 36mpg every week i use it. The service history is full, with stamps every year. I've owned it since about 60k, with the same reliable garage working on it. Sadly i'm pretty sure it's belt driven as it's the 1.6 8 valve model. Was changed on 55k 2015 IIRC, with needing a change after 80k or 8yrs IIRC, so mileage wise it's sound. The mechanic said if he's to look at the condition of the belt then he might as well change it as it needs a strip down to get to it. He's been really good in the past so i trust his word, and said to weigh up the cost, or just drive it till it goes. Tyres routinely need inflating from the wheel corrosion (non issue really). But the paint work is peeling, badly, it's pretty hideous really. Hindsight i could have given attention to that but thought i'd have upgraded by now. I have breakdown cover with the insurance till May, that was only £230 for the year.
I've got a 54 plate Meriva which is great for throwing stuff in the back, has been hella reliable, the rear seats fold flat and are never sat up. 109k miles but rusting and corroding away, paintwork shafted, and cam belt due (£300)(time wise, not mileage). Service, MOT, and tax all due in 2 months. Tax on the tax is £290 alone. Time to ditch? Budget would be £5k (petrol/manual) if old prices were a thing, i just don't want to pay more for another money sink, but could do a bit more if it were worth it (£8k). I do 200 miles a week on average, frequent a ULEZ, need cruise control for motoway use due to knee issues.
Thanks
[edit]
Didn't expect many replies, so thanks for the comments. Some information. The car is ULEZ compliant (bristol & bath) as would have ditched it already if not. MPG seems to sit at 36mpg every week i use it. The service history is full, with stamps every year. I've owned it since about 60k, with the same reliable garage working on it. Sadly i'm pretty sure it's belt driven as it's the 1.6 8 valve model. Was changed on 55k 2015 IIRC, with needing a change after 80k or 8yrs IIRC, so mileage wise it's sound. The mechanic said if he's to look at the condition of the belt then he might as well change it as it needs a strip down to get to it. He's been really good in the past so i trust his word, and said to weigh up the cost, or just drive it till it goes. Tyres routinely need inflating from the wheel corrosion (non issue really). But the paint work is peeling, badly, it's pretty hideous really. Hindsight i could have given attention to that but thought i'd have upgraded by now. I have breakdown cover with the insurance till May, that was only £230 for the year.
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