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[Diamond Black Geezer]

Also I'm averaging 21.9mpg.


eek! 

[tunnie]

My 2.2 LPG, if I had a diesel car it would need to average 54mpg , to give me same cost on the wallet. So Kia is no better on fuel.

I've looked at these service plans, considering one if i went Merc,£500 for few years, £40 a month etc. It's only basic oils and filters.

It won't take into account, brake discs, pads, shocks, belts, exhaust, sensor failures etc. So I doubt the service costs would be fixed for the term.

So based on Jimmys figures, I've saved more like £10k

[Viral_Jim]

tunnie:

In many ways (mixing my metaphors) I'm playing Devil's advocate to the choir!

I don't run a new Rio, and I doubt it would make sense for anyone on this forum to do so either - by virtue of the fact that we are here, we are, by necessity or inclination, people who take an interest in and work on, our own cars.

However, in many ways, a large saloon car, with a heavily modified fuel system (such as yours) is a highly specialist vehicle which would not suit 90%+ of road users. Ie, those who don't understand and don't want to take the time to understand their cars.

For a lot of people, "a minor vac leak" or similar expected minor annoyances would be a £200 bill (£75 for "diagnostics" to see what the light on the dash was and onwards from there) add to that the "fear" of being stranded or left with a big bill. Now in reality the bill probably wouldn't be "big", but most people don't know that.

Also, its worth considering that, although married I currently don't have any children. My opinions on new vs old might well change when a 2hr service or a day changing belts is time which I don't get to spend with my wife and children. When that time comes, tinkering has a whole additional cost associated with it. A young family means that there are moments which are both brief and never come again and I wouldn't want to miss them because I was lying under a banger! Add to that I don't know how I would feel putting them in a car with no ISOFIX points that was 3 star rated over a decade ago.

Just my 2p

[tunnie]

Some good points there 

I became a father myself 14 months ago now, after 10 years of running Omega's now that there is a MrsT and Little MissT, DIY service does become less attractive. (mainly time being the issue) Given the situation I'm now in, both my Omega's combined in value would barely crack £1k, so really sod all point in selling them. All adverts I see for new cars, easily start at £199/m - Hence my post on the economics of it all.

As you say, even a brand new car can get issues, and easily get stung by £300 bill. Something thanks to OOF, Omega issues could be sorted for a fraction of that.

I would not consider the LPG a heavily modified system personally, it still drives just the same, the filler point is just different. But I see your point, I get many odd looks when filling up with LPG.

ISOFix, well that's an interesting one too. Neither of mine have it, but the Omega is a big and fairly safe car. I've been quite happy with the seat belt method using a Maxi-Cosi Easybase2, it's very secure. The law around child seats is a bit of a mine field, there is talk if rear facing becoming law for much longer. Also, ISOFix vs the so called i-Size which is being introduced:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/04/04/child-car-seat-confusion-our-guide-to-the-new-regulations-and-products_n_7331866.html

Given the miles each car does (~3k for 3.2 - ~7k for 2.2 and ~5k on the bike), for me new cars do not make sense. If forced, but hoping not for at least 3 years, will most likey go down the route of a Merc CLS 320 for me, around 2006-9 Vintage and a Merc A or B Class for MrsT.

This appeals to me:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507054933714?radius=1500&channel=cars&make=mercedes-benz&search-target=usedcars&maximum-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&fuel-type=diesel&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&sort=default&page=5&price-from=6000&postcode=tw89de&model=cls&logcode=p

and this for MrsT:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507185307210?channel=cars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&maximum-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&fuel-type=diesel&search-target=usedcars&make=mercedes-benz&sort=default&radius=1500&model=a_class&postcode=tw89de&price-from=6000&page=1&logcode=p

Both those cars new for me to buy would be significantly more, CLS was what, £50k new, the A, around £15?

So for £15k combined, got £60k's+ worth of car new.

Downside of course is need to find an independent to service them, plus fact things could go wrong. (but my miles are fairly low) - But I think I'd much rather have a CLS, enjoy driving that and factor in those costs, than drive a 1.4 Astra drab box

[Viral_Jim]

Funny you should post the CLS, I've hung my nose over one more than once in the past, always been too tight though . Love the exterior styling, unlike most other things on the road!

Also, in the interests of shooting my new car argument in the foot, I have NOTHING to recommend a brand new car over one like this which is 8 months and 5,000 miles old and is less than £10k 

[chrisgixer]

We looked at the A class when sorting out a comoAny car for H's work. Golf Td with double clutch auto gear box won that contest hands down. But only because we wouldn't be paying for the auto box repairs if it went wrong. A manual though....?

[chrisgixer]

Cls nice car. (I can't cope with the boot shape personally) some very nice features I would like. But then I look at the omega on the drive that owes me nothing and think, are those features worth 10k extra or x amount a month ? When diesel economics works out so similar to lpg...?

These are all decisions taken to drive at the car I already have. But that's not to say we should revisit the subject of course.

How much would I spend ? Depends on the performance available. Vxr8 type performance costs a lot more. But is cheap compared to other models that perform similarly. Is more reliable and costs less to run in parts. Economy will depend entirely how it's driven. (Do that will be expensive then! )

But even the vxr8 that I desperately crave, or the Phaeton is cheap now too, are they that much better to warrant the outlay? Well, omega still on the drive. That answers that then

Inevitably though, an older car will over load its owner with repairs. We all have dfifferant tollersnce levels to that.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Just announced that diesel is cheaper than petrol for the first time in 15 years.... dammit, when I bought my V6 (replacing the Turbo Weasel) those few short months ago, such was the difference that the extra few % in lower mpg, vs. the money saved by owning petrol meant I was averaging a mere £1 extra per week to own a petrol 167bhp sexy vixen, instead of a saggy old Turbo Weasel, hehe.

I'll be sticking to my Omega for the every day car until they're at the scarcity of a Carlton, and then she'll be upgraded to weekend fun car. By then I'll be onto an XF Estate, A8 or something I hope as my daily driver 

[tunnie]

Funny you should post the CLS, I've hung my nose over one more than once in the past, always been too tight though . Love the exterior styling, unlike most other things on the road!

Also, in the interests of shooting my new car argument in the foot, I have NOTHING to recommend a brand new car over one like this which is 8 months and 5,000 miles old and is less than £10k 

Hummm yeah, drive that or my 3.2 Elite. Humm! 

How much would I spend ? Depends on the performance available. Vxr8 type performance costs a lot more. But is cheap compared to other models that perform similarly. Is more reliable and costs less to run in parts. Economy will depend entirely how it's driven. (Do that will be expensive then! )

But even the vxr8 that I desperately crave, or the Phaeton is cheap now too, are they that much better to warrant the outlay? Well, omega still on the drive. That answers that then

Inevitably though, an older car will over load its owner with repairs. We all have dfifferant tollersnce levels to that.

Here is the problem, if my 2.2 gets written off by a truck tomorrow. Would I replace it with a CLS or pay around 10% cost of a CLS to LPG the 3.2? Think I'd be keeping the 3.2 

[D]

Funny you should post the CLS, I've hung my nose over one more than once in the past, always been too tight though . Love the exterior styling, unlike most other things on the road!

Also, in the interests of shooting my new car argument in the foot, I have NOTHING to recommend a brand new car over one like this which is 8 months and 5,000 miles old and is less than £10k 

Brand new car via DTD is £12500 with 0% APR. So cost for a new car once you subtract a bank loan @ an average 7% APR would be £1250 more than the used car. Then take away £110 for first year road tax and it is £1140 more for the new car. Now that is a deal available to all via DTD. There will be dealer specific deals that will narrow the gap even more. Sub £1000 why would you want to buy a used car? I would go for the new car.

[Lazydocker]

Funny you should post the CLS, I've hung my nose over one more than once in the past, always been too tight though . Love the exterior styling, unlike most other things on the road!

Also, in the interests of shooting my new car argument in the foot, I have NOTHING to recommend a brand new car over one like this which is 8 months and 5,000 miles old and is less than £10k 

Brand new car via DTD is £12500 with 0% APR. So cost for a new car once you subtract a bank loan @ an average 7% APR would be £1250 more than the used car. Then take away £110 for first year road tax and it is £1140 more for the new car. Now that is a deal available to all via DTD. There will be dealer specific deals that will narrow the gap even more. Sub £1000 why would you want to buy a used car? I would go for the new car.

That has been my point... Deals are there to make new viable if you are looking to spend that much money

Tunnie, look carefully at A Class... They have their issues

As for safety... I'd rather have my child seat strapped in with a seatbelt (fitted by me) in an Omega than a small car. There's a lot of metal around her in an Omega Plus... I reckon her seat in my car is probably tighter than an ISOFIX one would be anyway 

[tunnie]

Funny you should post the CLS, I've hung my nose over one more than once in the past, always been too tight though . Love the exterior styling, unlike most other things on the road!

Also, in the interests of shooting my new car argument in the foot, I have NOTHING to recommend a brand new car over one like this which is 8 months and 5,000 miles old and is less than £10k 

Brand new car via DTD is £12500 with 0% APR. So cost for a new car once you subtract a bank loan @ an average 7% APR would be £1250 more than the used car. Then take away £110 for first year road tax and it is £1140 more for the new car. Now that is a deal available to all via DTD. There will be dealer specific deals that will narrow the gap even more. Sub £1000 why would you want to buy a used car? I would go for the new car.

That has been my point... Deals are there to make new viable if you are looking to spend that much money

Tunnie, look carefully at A Class... They have their issues

As for safety... I'd rather have my child seat strapped in with a seatbelt (fitted by me) in an Omega than a small car. There's a lot of metal around her in an Omega Plus... I reckon her seat in my car is probably tighter than an ISOFIX one would be anyway 

MrsT's Mum has had an A-Class, had no issues for her. But will look into it when the time comes 

However I don't plan to change either until I have to, or 'told to'  so that means a 7 seater when the time comes 

I've not actually tried an ISOFIX, but the seatbelt setup works well, the base is really solid. As you say, there is a lot of boot, bonnet and doors in the Omega.

[Andy B]

... so that means a 7 seater when the time comes 
 .....

Mercedes R Class 

[05omegav6]

A £13,000 Kia is not a comparison... Especially when you completely ignore the not insignificant issue of £12,800 depreciation on the Kia

Why not? It has AC, heated seats, dab, cruise, MP3 cd and (in the case of my 2.2) is as fast. Aesthetics shouldn't come into a rational debate on cost. Also, look at the resale values I used. Depreciation is factored in  .
Because the Omega was well over double the price new... comparing a 21-28 mpg exec saloon with a diseasal grotbox isn't in any way, shape or form a fair fight. Besides, anyone of sound mind would buy a delivery mileage pre reg Astra for £13k if they were looking for a modest family car... hell, my first Insignia was only £12,500... 2.0 CDTI, alloys, aircon, cruise, and that had a whole 35 miles on the clock when I collected it

Ignoring of course the whole using finance to buy the bloody thing in the first place

Finance cost is in there too. Did you even read what I wrote before replying?
No, I replied blind drunk... of course I read it. I was refering to the principal of using finance to buy it

Like for like, you should be comparing the Omega with a brand new 525 or E250... And factoring in seven years depreciation to boot

Why?? These cars are faster, better equipped, safer and more economical. Not to mention that Vaux is not an equivalent premium brand. The only way a miggy is objectively comparable to these is kerb weight.

The original post was new vs old in terms of cost. I was trying to demonstrate it isn't that clear cut.

The Omega is the same size as those two alternatives. Ok, so Vauxhall isn't a premium brand, but neither of those suggestions have heated rear seats, a sunroof, dual zone climate control or 17" wheels as standard. And comparing like for like physically, using the Omega as a starting point is very relevant to this debate because most of those involved are thinking towards Omega replacement. Besides, my EClass dropped £30,000 over 4 years/83,000 miles. So I would suggest the badge is actually irrelevant.

[tunnie]

... so that means a 7 seater when the time comes 
 .....

Mercedes R Class 

Could be an option, although MrsT already finds the Omega too big