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Hi. I am a superanuitant totally reliant financially on the pension. I own 2 cars. Finances are now such that I cannot afford to keep or run both of them. The vehicles are both in mint condition (seriously!). The first is a 1997 Mazda 626 GLE Sporthatch which has only 90,000km on the clock and has been owned by my late father and I since new. The second is a 2001 VW Polo 1400,a Jap import,which I obtained at 23,000km 3 years ago for my wife to travel to her work. It has now reached 42,000 km. Both cars are in as new condition inside and out, faultless, pass warrants without any problems, and I recently spent $800 on a new set of Michelin tyres for the Polo. Which car should I quit? Or should I sell both and consolidate on a reliable Japanese make from the 2000 - 2003 model years? I quite like the look of the Nissan Sylphy(Bluebird)import and would value your opinion of that car as an option. Should I trade both current cars in on something like that?
Whatever I do,the vehicle will have to last me out so needs to be A1 reliable and cheap as chips to run and maintain. Hope there aren't too many questions here but I am getting really worked up over the best thing to do for the future and will greatly value any advice you can give me. Thank you in advance.

Peter

I’m not sure you would be gaining much by replacing both vehicles with a Nissan Sylphy to be honest. While its great updating to a newer vehicle, there is often a little mystery when purchasing second-hand (particularly a older used import), and money can be spent bringing a vehicle up to a certain standard to avoid future unpleasant surprises. It sounds like you keep your cars in better than average condition so you may not gain at all if finances are an issue.

And I have to say there is nothing special about this Nissan that would convince me to make the switch. Moving to a 2003 Japanese model is hardly taking a huge leap forward in safety or advanced technology.

The Mazda 626 obviously has some sentimental attachments and should continue to provide excellent service if you decided it should be kept in the family. The Golf is probably the higher risk vehicle of the two in terms of potential future repair costs. Not a direct criticism of the brand just a reality of European cars. We deal in mechanical warranty insurance and know the higher risks underwriters are exposed to with all European vehicles.

In summary, I don’t see you relieving too much, if any, financial pressure in selling your current fleet and buying a used import Nissan.

If you were to make a leap into a much more modern vehicle (used NZ new Suzuki Swift springs to mind) I could understand your motivation a little better.

Thanks very much Jack. Your observations are a big help. The point about eventuallylooking at a later model Swift (for example) is sensible . The 626 is a tremendously reliable (if a bit boring) car on which I've spent nothing on repairs in its life - not even a muffler!! One new set of tyres,a precautionary cambelt,one set of plugs and oil changes,that's all. Perhaps holding on to it really is the best short to medium term answer for us.The Polo is great fun to drive and my favorite all the same. Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated.

Peter,

I personally have a 626 of exactly the same age and milage as yours and based on my own experience I would recommend that you stick with it. Ideally I would like to replace mine with a vehicle with more modern safety features, but the reality is that I would get very little if I sold it yet it continues to be extremely reliable and cheap to operate.

The only annoyance I have with it is ongoing corrosion in the exhaust system but this isn't a major expense and I think it's quite common in vehicles of this age, especially as I have no option but to leave it parked outside.

Hi Alasta

Thanks very much for your advice; I am sure your approach is the right one when all is said
and done. While i called the old girl boring there is no safer more trustworthy car when driving
conditions are bad. She has even become more economical on petrol as she's got older
so what have I to complain about really. So there are no airbags, climate control or heated seats but the upside means there is less to give trouble. Re your exhaust corrosion,mine has a little but
as yet its not developed into a major problem. Always garaged,though.