Advice needed, cheap runabout!

[nikaso]

Hi all,

First off, hello and thanks in advance for any help!

Quick bit of background, I've currently got a 2002 mondeo estate and a motorbike, mostly I use the motorbike and only really do 5000 miles in the car a year.

Just had MOT done on Mondeo and its cost me £450! about 12 months ago had an even larger bill as well!

Now, I am thinking of selling the Mondeo and getting a 205 with fairly long tax and test to use occasionally, I figure it would be cheaper to run on various counts, insurance, road tax, fuel, parts etc.

Am I talking rubbish or are 205's a good bet? I've always wanted a 205 gti after driving one at a track day but thats getting away from the point a bit!

[jock0909]

The 205 is a great little car to drive but are very expensive to run, the electrics are the most unreliable but plenty of other things go faulty on them and cost a fair bit to fix.

Your Mondeo sounds quite cheap to run at £450 for a year but if you are looking to cut running costs by changing car your best bet would probably be a Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI
I'm in the same situation as you, I ride a R1 most of the time for commuting etc and also only do about 5000-6000 miles per year in the car, I have the estate version and average 50 mpg with a good tank range of 450 miles before the light comes on, Tax is £135 for a year and also very reliable.