Lewis Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I'm stuck! Someone talk sense to me please? At the moment I'm insured on both my parents company cars and using Moms car all the time. We hired/borrowed a car for Mom to drive over the Summer so I could have her car, which worked well but cost about £500. I did nearly 10,000 miles over the summer, mainly motorways commuting to work (120 mile round trip) every day ... its worth it for chickens I get the train home from Uni every weekend which costs £35 and takes 4 hours compared to 2.5hr drive... then have to borrow Moms car again to drive to work. I also have to ask to borrow the car for a few days when working at shows etc... Parents say it'll be expensive and to take advantage of the work cars while I can, she says its fine but I just feel bad taking the car all the time, especially now my brother is near taking his test and will want the car too! I really don't want/need anything for my birthday or Christmas so want to ask for money towards a car 'cos have been thinking about it for a while. Not bothered what car it is, probably just something little thats reliable + cheap to run/good mgp! I've got savings which I can use - Insurance will be the killer (but hopefully a bit cheaper for a 20 yo than 17), but know I have to budget for fuel, tax, repairs, MOT etc... esp with that high mileage, not that its all the time! Still just thinking it though atm - anything I've forgotten, any experiences? Do you think I should buy a car or take advantage + carry on using the work cars as we are! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Big decision! So long as your parents are happy with the current arrangement and it works for everyone then I would say stick with it for the time being! Keep saving your money and buy yourself a car when using your parents car is no longer a viable option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I agree. Carry on as you are now if your folks are happy with the arrangement. The cost of running your own car would be horrendous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I think you should just keep saving at the moment. Then when you need to buy a car you can afford a newer one that hopefully won't need a lot of repairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I tend to agree. With all the miles you're doing the petrol would cost you an absolute fortune. If you do end up getting one, do check out the insurance policies that reward you for good driving - it would probably be a lot cheaper than a standard policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 I agree. Carry on as you are now if your folks are happy with the arrangement. The cost of running your own car would be horrendous. Ditto Keep saving though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Do keep on saving and making use of the cars while you can , the older you become the cheaper the insurance and the more you will have towards a bit better car than one if you bought one now , just think of the cars out now that go miles and miles on a tank of petrol in another six months there will be more on the second hand market. Bide your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Lewis, I'd agree that the longer you wait, not only the more money you'll have to spend on a car but also the better the ratio between the value of the car and the insurance, which means every pound will buy you proportionately a better car. But once your brother passes his test, or if the situation re car loans changes, then you'll obviously have to think about buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Just a thought but my daughter was in same situation and has now decided to lease a car instead. A little citroen C1 is just £99 per month plus vat to lease and it means she never has to worry about repair bills etc and hopefully in her case won't need tires as she doesn't do a huge amount of miles. It also worked out at £660 a year (payable monthly) to insure whereas if she had bought an old banger it was over £1500, presumably the insurance companies perceive she will be more careful in a new car. She is only 25 and a new driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 As you know I've just bought my first proper car after years of living with the luxury of company cars, setting myself up with the car and bits and bobs incl insurance, tax and RAC cost about £3000 and as you have seen its a very basic car Unless you can lay your hands on ready cash for the set up costs I'd stick with what you are doing now, its not worth getting in to debt over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 As you've asked for opinions here's my thoughts.... There are pros and cons Pros - build up no claims now (providing you are careful ), greater freedom and flexibility at Uni particularly with lambing season in the new year, gives you guarantees of a car at home Cons - Insurance will kill you, repair bills can also be hard, fuel is extortionate, you'll be an on hand chauffeur to your friends. By far the cheapest option is sticking with what you have now.... However, you work hard and do earn money.... Only you can decide if that is the best option to spend your cash on. With my 37 year head on, I reckon it's better to use your wages to reduce the amount of student debt you need to get. With my nearly 20 year old head on, I had a car at Uni that I bought and run myself with my wages I earned as a student.... I'd have never have been without it at Uni. It's a tough call sweetheart and one that only you can make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Hi Lewis, My OS, a year ago as a 22year old was £2000 on a 1.4l Fiesta, with low mileage (it was my old car pictured on a thread somewhere on here with a cube in it!!) His mileage was relatively low per month at the time. Your insurance will inevitably be higher. I would suggest stick with what you have for now and talk to your parents about how you feel. At the end of the day, with my parent head on, we are all trying to help as best we can as we don't like the thought of the student debt etc etc. Also, I had a car at uni ( long time ago) and I guess in my day students with cars were more of a rarity, but it is so hard not to be the one always driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 Thanks for all the replies! I did listen and not just ignore you all but am considering it I have to pay for all my petrol now so thats the same either way - you're right, does cost an absolute fortune! Can ask for money for Birthday and Christmas which would probably cover a big chunk of the car, the biggest cost would be insurance but savings and working full time over Summer and every weekend can help with that... It would save the £35 train fair a week and £10/20 taxi each night when Lambing, obviously have to pay for fuel then but its cheaper. Am only looking at small cars and have been talking to friends, most are paying around £1200 insurance for theirs at the moment as it goes down each year - most of the quotes I'm looking at are around £1700. Its even cheaper to have a parent as a Main Driver and me as a Named 'cos I wouldn't be driving it during the week in term time, could add my brother then too? Just not fair to have Moms car every time I'm home, especially as my Brother will be wanting it soon too. Obviously won't rush into anything, probably wait for brother to pass his test and see how it works, just been thinking about it for a while and more seriously now. Don't really want to hire another car for £500+ over Summer when I could put that towards my own car + insurance I'm just thinking out loud now... Need to have a proper sit down with the parents and discuss it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
