Decisions, decisions

[JanB]

We talked, every now and then, about what would happen if our car broke down.

Last time, we were able to borrow a friends car for a week, as she was in England and used Antonia as a taxi for the rest of the time.

I've just seen a Vitara, just about the same age as ours, for 3,250€. Rather tempted to go and have a look at it.

Have already checked out the pricing for similar and we'd knock about 500€ off the price.

Thoughts?

[meriad]

Given you can't be without a car where you are, it makes sense to go have a look at least. Your current car is old and has done a huge mileage and there will come a time (if not already reached) when the repair costs will outweigh the car value

So yes - I'd go look

[Workingman]

Jan, I am with Ria re the need for a vehicle of some sort, but a Suzuki of similar age to the Honda?

You will get a few bob for the H when you sell it, and you could knock off 500€ for the Vitara, as you say, so what will the overall cost be?

Also, what do you actually need? Skoda, Fiat, Nissan etc all produce some rugged cars for not much outlay, are cheap to run and maintain, and a younger one might fit.

[JanB]

The reason I'm looking now is that the car has to go for filters, oil etc and something else soon, so I know that we're going to be reliant on other people. Yes, we could borrow a car from Elaine, she's already said we could, if they're not using it.

But I don't like borrowing other people's cars, just in case something goes wrong.

This one we're thinking about is diesel, so cheaper for running backwards and forwards to the bar although it's about 6 months older.

But cheap to insure and tax Probably less than we pay for ours, so about 200€ for the year..

Think I'm talking myself into it

Although it's manual and I haven't driven a manual for about 15 years

[JanB]

You're right WM, but as we have a new mechanic who is flippin' brilliant and cheaper than the garage, we'd get him to have a look over for us.

Cheap cars are not in the Portuguese vocabulary, sadly.

We've looked at trucks, small vans, but they're expensive.

And the track has gone downhill muito rápido since we've had a lot of rain. And it won't get fixed until spring next year.

[Workingman]

Anything that cuts the cost of going to the bar has to be a good thing - yes?

But seriously. Get the mech to go over yours and the Vitara and do a compare and contrast.

Don't just jump in because you have sold it to yourself, please.

[JanB]

Don't worry, we won't. We might not even go and look at it.

I've spent the last few hours doing price checks and to get something newer would be costing us about 10,000 more which we're not prepared to pay, just for a little run about.

And then there is - where to keep it? Has to be out of the sun.

[meriad]

Jan, would this be as a 2nd car?

[Workingman]

Ria, I was wondering that.....

I'm thinking a BSA Bantam and sidecar, just for the bar runs you understand.

Imagine the fun.

[meriad]

I'm thinking a BSA Bantam and sidecar, just for the bar runs you understand.

Imagine the fun.