Is it worth hanging on to?

[JohnnyMnemonic]

Alright lads n ladies

I need your advice. Should I keep my motor, trade up (down more likely) for something less thirsty or take out a loan and get something mad before it's too late?

Here are the facts:

Current motor: 1998 Mondeo ST24 2.5 V6
Tax: 02/11
MOT: 03/11
Value: £500 (my estimate)
Funds available: £0 (potential to realise assets value £1k)
Credit: Could opt for a loan, wouldn't want to exceed £5k
Age: 28
Marital status: Single
Reason for wanting to sell: Petrol prices
Ins: 7yncb, 3 points - quoted £1.1k for fully comp on a 1999 WRX STi (comparison website)

The Mondeo is mechanically sound, drives pretty sweet.

Personally, I'm thinking I should get the loan and p/x it for a 1999 R34 GT, there's one for sale not far away for around 5k (tho it's non-turbo, and automatic). There's also the option of going mad and getting something like a WRX STi for about the same, mint car. Though I have to say those Alfa 159s looks mighty tasty... and there's one 130 miles away for 5k and 113k miles... damn that's a nice motor.

Can anyone help me decide?

[Konan555]

Selling because of the price of fuel and buying an old sti?

I'm very gentle on my new age WRX and, at most, it'll see 300 miles from a tank of mixed driving.

[JohnnyMnemonic]

Yeah I know it doesn't make much sense but I guess what I'm trying to say is I wouldn't mind paying the fuel premium if I had a beast of a motor, I just feel it goes to waste on a boring old Mondeo. I don't really do enough miles to warrant a diesel, and I want something a little bit crazy before I get too old (or too family oriented) to justify it.

[digit]

Alright lads n ladies

I need your advice. Should I keep my motor, trade up (down more likely) for something less thirsty or take out a loan and get something mad before it's too late?

Here are the facts:

Current motor: 1998 Mondeo ST24 2.5 V6
Though I have to say those Alfa 159s looks mighty tasty... and there's one 130 miles away for 5k and 113k miles... damn that's a nice motor.

Can anyone help me decide?

Nice motor, I had a 2002 mondeo mk3 v6 2.5 for about 1.5 years so I know about your pain with fueling it. I took a trade in option on my car and got £700, so your value is about right i'd guess. I've now moved to a 159 diesel myself (owned it a week) and don't regret it at all, far more poke imo then the mondeo and excellent economy! Other Alfa options could be the 156 or GT, you should be able to find loads of petrols with good millage in your price range! I hear the arese 3L V6 is meant to make a nice noise

[Konan555]

what I'm trying to say is I wouldn't mind paying the fuel premium if I had a beast of a motor

Don't forget there's two premiums to pay. You'll probably be needing to fuel it with 98ron.

[badass]

You'll probably not like this but if the only way of getting enough money for a more expensive car is by selling things or getting a loan, I'd not be doing any upgrading.
Particularily as you say the reason you want to change is because of the cost of petrol.
You need to either:
1. Drive with a lighter right foot, however I expect you are either all ready donig that or can't drive with a lighter foot than you currently do.
2. Get a cheaper to buy, cheaper to run car. Save money, exercise patience, buy more interesting car in 1-2 years.

[DanceswithUnix]

You'll probably not like this but if the only way of getting enough money for a more expensive car is by selling things or getting a loan, I'd not be doing any upgrading.
Particularily as you say the reason you want to change is because of the cost of petrol.
You need to either:
1. Drive with a lighter right foot, however I expect you are either all ready donig that or can't drive with a lighter foot than you currently do.
2. Get a cheaper to buy, cheaper to run car. Save money, exercise patience, buy more interesting car in 1-2 years.

I think you misunderstood the OP, he didn't say he couldn't afford it he said "I just feel it goes to waste on a boring old Mondeo." which seems fair enough.

[DanceswithUnix]

Don't forget there's two premiums to pay. You'll probably be needing to fuel it with 98ron.

I run my Alfa on what I feel like putting into it. Usually V-power, but normal unleaded is fine (just not quite as quick).

[DanceswithUnix]

Alright lads n ladies

I need your advice. Should I keep my motor, trade up (down more likely) for something less thirsty or take out a loan and get something mad before it's too late?

Here are the facts:

Current motor: 1998 Mondeo ST24 2.5 V6
Tax: 02/11
MOT: 03/11
Value: £500 (my estimate)
Funds available: £0 (potential to realise assets value £1k)
Credit: Could opt for a loan, wouldn't want to exceed £5k
Age: 28
Marital status: Single
Reason for wanting to sell: Petrol prices
Ins: 7yncb, 3 points - quoted £1.1k for fully comp on a 1999 WRX STi (comparison website)

The Mondeo is mechanically sound, drives pretty sweet.

Personally, I'm thinking I should get the loan and p/x it for a 1999 R34 GT, there's one for sale not far away for around 5k (tho it's non-turbo, and automatic). There's also the option of going mad and getting something like a WRX STi for about the same, mint car. Though I have to say those Alfa 159s looks mighty tasty... and there's one 130 miles away for 5k and 113k miles... damn that's a nice motor.

Can anyone help me decide?

The 159 is very nice, though lots of people don't like the 2.2 petrol engine which gives you a choice of the oil burner or the V6 (Holden block with Alfa head, so not entirely Italian but good enough for most).

If you want mental on a budget, the GTV is quite a bargain these days:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2454487.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2451107.htm

[bledd]

Any 5k performance car is going to have servicing costs on top. I certainly wouldn't be taking out a loan to get one

[Konan555]

I run my Alfa on what I feel like putting into it. Usually V-power, but normal unleaded is fine (just not quite as quick).

Yes, but Subaru specify super for the STi. They don't like 95 at all.