TLDR: 14 year old car. Needs maintenance costs = to the lower end value of car, should I keep it? Or go back to renting when I need a car?
I have a 2004 VW Golf (diesel) that I bought from a friend 18-ish months ago (December 2016) for £700. Previous to that I always rented spending between £1k - £1500 a year, always getting a new car, clean, excellent mpg and it was worry-free motoring. I did get some good deals from it (sometimes £30k cars for £10-£12 a day). I swapped around rental companies and was frugal with what I got but must admit did enjoy having a car.
I ended up with the Golf because I had three bad experiences with two different rental companies in a row (which cost me money and a bunch of inconvenience). This was after noticing that service from rental companies with going down hill. My friend said on fb he was selling this Golf pretty much as I was looking for a car to rent so I bit.
The Golf has been a decent car. I've added two new tires and very recently a starter motor (which stopped it dead other than bump start) so that was an emergency fix of £180 I think. I didn't service it at MOT, but it passed (after two new tires) and it has MOT to November 2018. Overall though, this car has a lot of service history.
Issues that lead to this thread
When I had the starter motor done I had 'urgent' advisories: It needs four new disc brakes, pads on each, and a new battery. I was quoted approx £300-£400 and in my mind 'economic write off'. I have a holiday I'll being using the car for in June this year and I was thinking of selling afterwards, being honest about what the problems are, and hoping for £300-£500 off ebay.
I have zero mechanical skill and even less interest in acquiring any. Happy to change light bulbs, add coolant, oil etc but tires, battery, and brakes - nope. But when I got more quotes and looked at parts myself the repair is about it's money of the original quote when adding in labour.
I'm not attached to it in a sentimental sense. But it's been decent enough and I think it could keep going. My initial plan was to just take it to November 2017 (MOT due date) and scrap via ebay with a 'done it's job' mentality.
I do hate that it's a diesel because I try to be environmental. I do about 5000 miles a year, in the city it's 40-50mpg. On motorways it does up to 60mpg. In hire cars I did about 3000 miles a year with similar mpg. So the Golf has increased my driving but that is a lot to do with the convenience of it being there. And there has been times when it has been invaluable (ill family members in different cities for example).
I don't need it to commute to work, but I have used it sometimes (I live 7km from work so either run or cycle in mostly).
My main worry is spending the money to get it fix and then having another massive bill a few months later and thinking "because I spent all that money, might as well do it again". And then it happen again. And so on.
I've read through many posts in here trying to be persuaded one way or another without creating 'another' old car - should I keep it thread, but here I am.
If I do keep it, then I will do the repairs before my holiday. If I do sell it then I go away with a car that would benefit with some repairs before adding 400 miles or so on to it. In past few days alone I have changed my mind about 12 times. Help.
May 22, 2018 at 11:32AM
