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Maybe a difficult question but any comments would be appreciated.

My son is driving a Mazda Familia 1.5 but has the urge to get a Nissan Sylvia Spec S. The Mazda is a 99 model with 125k and the Sylvia is a 98 model with 140k.

While the Sylvia is in good condition to the eye, I am not too sure it will be a good swap because of possible increases in insurance and running costs.

Can you give me an indication of possible increased running costs and tell me from experience and gut feel if this is a good swap?

Cecil

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 16 November 2009

This is more of a delicate than difficult question due to the vast difference in these two cars and the reason why your son may be wanting to swap.

His current Mazda is a relatively economical front wheel drive compact car. It's a sensible and popular choice for a young driver and one which should be easy and inexpensive to insure.

The Nissan Sylvia Spec S is a powerful rear wheel drive sports coupe. It is very popular as a "drifting" car, and also with the boy racer fraternity. It has a vast increase in power and torque over the Familia and will be much heavier on fuel and may be difficult and expensive to insure, particularly for a young driver.

You don't say how old or how much driving experience your son has, but my gut feel is that I would be very cautious about the Sylvia being the right car for a young and relatively inexperienced driver.