Model Railway Forum

Each to his own. Luckily we all have a choice.

Why do you change yours every other year Brian.

No I didn’t say that. I used to change it every 3 years. As you know shift work means you need very reliable transport. Must admit there is nothing like a brand new car but I don’t buy new any more.

The only thing I have always had against buying new is the extra TAX and the deprecation as it leaves the showroom. As for reliable you stand just as much chance having a breakdown in new car as you do in an older run in one. Probably more so, with a new one.
Remember years ago I worked for Jessops (Vauxhall) and then later Ray Powell (Hillman Singer Humber Sunbeam and all those rot boxes) The amount of new car repairs we had to sort out you would not believe. Well I may be being unfair to car manufacturers now days because manufacturing has improved a lot with new rust protection at top of the list. But mud sticks so maybe I am being unfair to modern manufactures. But I don't think so................... john

Yes but you have the warranty to help.

My Volvo XC70 was five years old when I bought it - from a Volvo dealer - it came with twelve months warranty. Which I've used with no problems. If buying a used car, it does sometimes pay to go to a main dealer. There are a large number of used car dealers, that have some super top of the range models, that are usually about three years old - many owners who bought new are not prepared to continue with the bronze,silver and gold warranty cover they started with when new. I have a friend with an E-class Merc - bought new, his gold warranty cover ran into four figures. He was on an alpine road in Switzerland, when the starter motor failed - he rang the "hotline" and there was a man with a tow truck with him within thirty minutes. They towed him to a town with a Merc. dealership, installed him in a hotel, and said your car will be ready in the morning. It was, and they parcelled-up the old starter motor and said it was in the boot. That's what you call warranty service.

My mk2 Octavia estate has today passed its MOT yet again. In 213,00 miles I've replaced one front suspension unit and the front discs. No rust, no rattles and nothing has dropped off unlike my mates 42,000 mile BMW which spends more time being mended than driven. But, like he says, he only ever buys quality.

Well done bandit one up for looking after an old motor. My C5 has never yet in 13 years failed an MOT yet. I find with Citroen you need to go to a Citroen specialist (not nesserserily a main dealer) because general garages don't have a clue about Citroens. Jacks of all trades and master of non. Where people go wrong is by going to a cheap garage.
I used to do all my own work buy too old for that now............

Only birds go cheap!

Had a great day at Silverstone yesterday but, by heck it was cold!
And this is not my new car (which is still at the garage).