Good Deal?

[Ian in Northampton]

Four months ago, I was really looking for a TDi Ghia. It had to be 51 reg or better and low mileage - nothing else really mattered. However, they seemed a little beyond what I was prepared to pay. Then I caught sight of a 2.3 Zetec, 51 reg, immaculate bodywork with 24,000 miles on the clock. It was at a Network Q dealer, and came with the balance of the Ford warranty plus what seems like a very comprehensive Network Q one year warranty. I ended up paying

[Andrew T]

Parkers Website Gives

[Ian in Northampton]

Thanks Andrew. In fact, I'll likely do closer to 18,000 miles/year, which makes the diesel MPG argument an even more compelling one. On the other hand, as you say, there's the service cost and the insurance cost. I just checked on Parkers, and it looks as if I'll have to find another

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Yes, but high mileage will kill the residuals of a petrol much more than a diesel, so if you are doing 18,000 miles per year and want to go diesel, do it sooner rather than later! Otherwise just hang on to the petrol-engined car you've got and run it into the ground :blink:

[Ian in Northampton]

Thanks Ivor. I guess there's a calculation I need to do here that projects the point at which the car will have done 'average' mileage? My position is that, when I bought it, 24k miles was below average for a 2.5 year car, assuming an average of 12,000 miles/year. Or is that too high? It's done 30k now, and if I do 1,800/month, by the time the warranty runs out it will be four years old and have done 52,500 - somewhat above average but not so much as to really screw the residual?

[iainkirk]

My 12 month old Galaxy has done 41,000 miles. I've averaged 37mpg (I've got lead shoes - according to the 'puter), which equates to

[Ivor_E_Tower]

PS, the Inland Revenue kindly gives me