Motors Buying a car, how much would you spend?

Hi,

I'm just looking into buying a new car in the next 12 months or so. My question is... how much of your salary would you put towards a car? 1/4? 1/2?

I really like my car. It's an Astra 1.6 Design and it's lovely to drive, it's been used as a workhorse for the last 2 years and I would like a car that is a little more fun to drive.

 

Depends on how often you're planning on driving and for how long.

 

And how much you earn of and your other outgoings of course, not that I'd advocate that you post that.

Might be easier to post your budget and go from there?

25% is a fair chunk of your pay to put towards anything other than a mortgage or rent, let alone half. Or are you talking about cash as opposed to monthly?

 

I'd personally say 10% of the value of your house, generally- i.e, your house is worth £100,000, you have a £10,000 car. £500,000 house, £50,000 car. I would say, though, any car under £2000 is probably going to be more trouble than it's worth.

 

I'd say less than 10%. Depends on your age though. Maybe a 1/2 year old car that was 10% new.

 

It depends how much you've got spare money you've got. After all your income and outgoings have been considered, think about what else you might spend the money on and consider how much to put towards automotive transport, how much for savings, how much for the next holiday, etc.

It would be nice to put 50% of my salary towards a car. The trouble is that I'd have to be earning a lot more than I am now to make that affordable.

 

In your case Warren - 2nd car. You've got one that you like already, presumably it's reliable etc, why not splash £1k or so on something a bit older and more fun for the nice days? An MX5 is a fantastic giggle and the perfect antidote to modern motoring, but cheap and reliable too.

 

I personally have never spend more than 1/3 of my income on a car..
And I mean: a months salary. So about £600. And I do need a car to get to my work on a daily basis. Thus I own a few.

So far my advice on what not to do.

 

Are you planning a monthly rate?

 

This, except the MX5. Granted it's a giggle but there is plenty more fish in the sea to pick from.

Grab £1000 and go find something random and thirsty as f**k if it's to be a 2nd car for fun.

 

I would have to go along the lines of a second card that's fun, personal favourite of mine is the old front engined Porsche 944 Turbo, great to drive and can be put on classic card insurance.

Seen a fair people having a laugh with an old Prelude, there is also a lot of older jap cars in that price range which would be damn reliable and fun.

No point suffering the loss of cash from selling the Astra, and the added cost of driving something fun everyday. Unless you really can afford it.

 

Plenty to choose from, but I was starting from the most modest example I could think of to sell it - insurance, tax, purchase price and running costs are all minimal, but it's a fun thing.

 

I cover all my outgoings and then spend every penny I can on cars, as often as I can!

 

My commute to work is only 2 miles ( i walk whenever possible ) so it's for personal use mostly.

Lucky in that respect, finding such a job so close.

 

In which case get rid of your boring-mobile and get something exciting for weekends. How old is the Astra?

 

If you walk to your work. Please explain the 1.6D

Ditch the Diesel, buy something thirsty on petrol.

Okay, new tdi diesels can be fun with a lot of power/torque. But a fun limiter that starts at 5500 rpm isn't what you need. Remember: fuel consumption is inversely proportional to fun

 

It's a 1.6 Design (Petrol ) not 1.6 Diesel (Devil Food)

Astra is a 2010 model. Want something a little sporty.

 

Trade up and get the Astra VXR

 

....Get a motorbike.

Cheap and fun.

Workhorse and sporty aren't generally compatible cost-wise though.