Time to change?

**SJG** · 19th September 2007, 20:41

My CDTi 150 Estate is going to be three years old in a couple of months, having done around 28K miles.

It's had a couple of issues in the 2.5 years I've had it but all have been sorted without too much fuss under warranty and on the whole I really like the car.

I got a really good deal on the car when I bought it (£9999 @ 6 months/10K miles) and my original plan was to trade it in for another similar when the warranty ran out.

However, I've noticed that prices for the diesel estates have firmed up a lot, and it would now cost me around £12.5K for a 6 month old CDTi 150 estate. That would mean a cost-to-change of maybe £5-6K?

But...

a) I'm a bit wary about buying another nearly-new C when the D is due out; and

b) the next service on the car isn't due until Dec 08 and there's plenty life in the tyres, so if nothing breaks, it won't actually cost me anything to run it for another year.

Another option then would be to keep it for another 12 months and then trade it in. The car would be four years old then, and the D would be out so I'm guessing maybe £4-5K? trade-in and a cost-to-change of maybe £8-9K depending on how Vec-D prices hold up.

My other option is just to keep it for 5 years plus. Even if it's worth nothing at that point, that would still only be £2K/year in depreciation (which isn't bad) but the cost to change would be the full price of the new car, maybe £14K allowing for inflation.

So, what do you lot reckon is my best option?

1) £5-6K for a nearly new C at three years.
2) £8-9K for a nearly new D at four years.
3) £14K for a nearly new D at five years+

**wardy** · 19th September 2007, 20:46

Originally Posted by SJG

it would now cost me around £12.5K for a 6 month old CDTi 150 estate.

that seems way too much to be honest. I nearly traded mine in for another V6 3.0 that was that age & only £500 more??

**denzo** · 19th September 2007, 20:53

You have most bases covered.

If you enjoy the car and it provides what you need, then run it into the ground for another 5 years.

Incidentally - what issues did you have and what was fixed under warranty?

**John35** · 19th September 2007, 20:53

I am in the same position as you. My estate will be 3 years old in March 2008. I have decided to keep the car for the following reasons

1) I have had very little problems with the car
2) If I buy a newer one will it be any better (more reliable or a dog)
3) The vec D is out soon and the prices for this car will not drop into my budget for 18 months to 2 years.
4) Will the vec D be any more reliable. There will be recalls on this model as there always are on new models
5) An estate version will be produced some time after the hatch/saloon
6) The vectra estate has a good reputation as a load lugger so should sell easier
7) If the new vetra is a great car won't you kick yourself on buying a old model and having to keep it longer before buying the new model.
8) If its a bad car then you still can buy a old shape vectra at a cheaper price all be it that your car has dropped in value as well.
9) You could even move to another model if you wanted.
10) The vectra estate is an excellent car..............

**SJG** · 19th September 2007, 20:54

Originally Posted by wardy

that seems way too much to be honest. I nearly traded mine in for another V6 3.0 that was that age & only £500 more??

Was that an estate? They're £1K more on average than an equivalent hatch?

**wardy** · 19th September 2007, 21:12

Originally Posted by SJG

Was that an estate? They're £1K more on average than an equivalent hatch?

Sure was

**SJG** · 19th September 2007, 21:15

OK.

I usually go by car supermarket pricing, e.g.

http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/(S(wod5c...e=0&diesel=yes

**wardy** · 19th September 2007, 21:19

this was at my local VXL main dealer, Ward's of Helston (no I'm not related to them). Windscreen sticker was £12995 for a 3.0 V6 CDTi SRi estate. I think it was seven months old with 6000 miles in silver. One owner (VXL).

**ion** · 20th September 2007, 08:59

I am in the same position.

My vec is 3yrs old now (September).

I looked at dropping it before mot time but didn't in the end. I mot'd & serviced it so I have time now to look around & decide.

If I go for a vec it will prob be an elite about 12 months old which I'll keep for 2yrs.

I've also looked at Passats, Lexus IS 220's, a new Mondeo & various others but nothing so far has hit me with that yep that's the one feeling.

If I go for a vec I might wait till about Jan/Feb even as the crazy deals by then will be everywhere as they try to clear the remaining C's.

My Vec is running superbly & I'm enjoying driving it so I'm in no rush from that point of view.

I have to move fairly soon though as I get an allowance in my salary for the car.

**GazVXLINE170** · 20th September 2007, 10:06

Hi all, this is my first post I bought my Vectra Elite 150 CDTi in January (38k miles ) and it too is 3 years old in September '07, and will have to keep the car for another 2 years due to the loan for it, but too date the best car ive had so far - although i did have the misfortune to endup with a broken wiper linkage in July that was fixed under warranty - it has been a great car, but all in all if you are thinking of upgrading to another Vectra, I would wait for another 1- 1.5 years as the 'D' model is due maybe then - as the Vectra tends to be 2 years behind the new Corsa models - and would cause any brand new model C to become cheaper.

Just a thought..