Replace tow vehicle or not - opinions please

[Old Scaley]

I don’t know about you people, but I always hang on to my cars for just that little bit too long. Mrs Scaley and I are both retired and we only run one car, a 2012 FG G6 Ford that we bought after the big hail storm in 2014 totalled our previous car. It has been a great car. Pretty comfortable and tows like a dream. For the past 2 years I have been thinking about trading up before it got too old, but as usual left it until the thing developed a few problems. Last service the mechanic delivered the good news that the suspension needs major work, and that front suspension parts for this model are crazy expensive. Despite changing out the front shocks last December, it still needs a few thousand dollars worth of work to take out the rattles and bumps that have crept in over the past few months. The rest of the car is mint.

Happy to look at a replacement but just don’t know what? Don’t really want a changeover price above $20k now that I am not working. Needs to shopping centre friendly (have been told that utes or 4x4s are not happening),  able to easily tow the tinnie (I have calculated that all up weight of boat, motor, trailer and gear when loaded is under the 750kg limit, but not too much under), be comfortable on a trip, and not too expensive to maintain. I have thought about lots of different vehicles, but the prices at the moment are crazy for what you get. 

So I am throwing it out to the universe - replace or repair? If it is replace, what with? 

That will give us all something to ponder while we wait for the water to clear up and we can get fishing again.

 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Good luck Steve, I hope you find a good car.

Cheers Hamish 

[Another Wazza]

Steve, I’m not sure how many k’s you have on the Falcon, but if it is in pretty good condition, I’d personally be more inclined to spend the money on the suspension, it would probably still be cheaper to maintain the vehicle you have, rather then privately sell, or trade (give away) the vehicle with an issue that will be used to hammer the price down.

But.... if a new car is what you want, rather then what you need, by all means, cut sick and splurge out, just remember though, a dollar saved is a dollar earned, and all those dollars could go to good use buying all types of assorted fishing paraphernalia.

[Junky]

Better the devil you know. 

"Last of the V8's, s s she sucks nitro, phase four heads, twin overhead cams, 600 hp through the rear wheels (got me stuffed what he say about the blower) 

I love that line, and somehow falcons remind me of it. 

 

 

Spend the money on it, as long as your spanner monkey is being honest that is. 

 

 

I rate the larger Aussie built sedans. 

I have an 06 Fairmont ghia. 

Drives beautifully. 

[ellicat]

I think with the way the used car market is at the moment, you'd be better off with repair over replace. How many km's on her ?

[Old Scaley]

4 minutes ago, ellicat said:

I think with the way the used car market is at the moment, you'd be better off with repair over replace. How many km's on her ?

Just the 165k so barely run in. It would be a much easier decision if the used/new car market wasn’t overheated. @Junky I do trust the mechanic but they were smashed in the flood so that gives me more time to procrastinate.

[Towknee]

If you like the car I’d be spending the couple of grand and get a few more years out of it. my old man is a motor mechanic and just retired, he said they do big kms with little issues. Thanks 

I’ve been thinking it’s time to get a vehicle that tows the boat a bit better. I use our Subaru Forrester which towed my old tinny really well (would of been around 700kg). 
but the new boat is around 1200kg and I wouldn’t do long tow trips with it. 
Currently not that keen to buy a new or near new car & have been thinking of a falcon or ford territory. 

[Junky]

3 hours ago, Old Scaley said:

Just the 165k so barely run in. It would be a much easier decision if the used/new car market wasn’t overheated. @Junky I do trust the mechanic but they were smashed in the flood so that gives me more time to procrastinate.

Good luck with it all. 

 

As a matter of interest. 

How much do you want for it if you do sell?

[benno573]

i think especially post floods there will be a lot of flash sales on 2nd hand vehicles - if it looks too good to be true it was likely fairly wet at some stage... 

 

i would try and get a second opinion from another mechanic just to make sure what old mate is telling you is gospel first.  if so, i personally would spend the $ and keep the current car which you are both happy with.  any replacement car will likely come with its own replacement issues as well, given the changeover figure quoted will likely limit you to the 2nd hand market.

 

alternatively, get a job ya bum... 

[kmcrosby78]

I too would be inclined to keep it Steve. If you decide to chase a second opinion, Dad and I use a guy in Capalaba who is as honest as and also very affordable. Bit of a drive for you but let me know if you want his details.

[Old Scaley]

1 hour ago, kmcrosby78 said:

I too would be inclined to keep it Steve. If you decide to chase a second opinion, Dad and I use a guy in Capalaba who is as honest as and also very affordable. Bit of a drive for you but let me know if you want his details.

Might be the same guy that junky pm’d me about this morning. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[GregOug]

Well I’ll go the other way from everyone else. Personally, I have found that when things start going wrong with a vehicle everything starts going wrong soon after. I would try to sell your current car and then with cash in hand go to the auctions and look for a good ex government vehicle or similar.

And with the used car market being so hot you should get more for your current car as well.

[Angry51]

Yeah, I agree with Greg, BUT, I'd be verryy careful buying second hand even ex gov. 

as there has been lots of water around hasn't there.

Hard call to make at the moment. probably the devil you know is

the one to give the less dramas.I'd have a big talk to the finance minister before

I did anything in this climate.

Good luck.

[Old Scaley]

Thanks @Angry51 and @GregOug. I have both those thoughts competing in my brain lately. I have an appointment with the financial advisor next week so will raise it with him. Maybe with the war, floods, Warnie etc I may not have the money to take any options and will have to get Hamish and his Dad to set me up with a treadlie and tow bar. 

[ellicat]

For what it's worth, as a bean counter I say you're better off, in a non-deductible car, to spend $5K on repairs to get everything up to speed now than to spend $30K - $40K that will lose $5K in value 6 months after you buy it. Especially so if the body and engine are ticking along nicely as well as the aircon of course. Insurance will also be cheaper on the existing car.

[Nog]

Ask your mechanic what's the next bit that will need replacing  after the other upgrades and decide from there.

Fords should go for about 300K if serviced well

[Tuna are fish]

If you want to find a good car for towing and "for the mall" you should look at a Nissan X-trail.