Old proverb who builds a tower first sits down and calculate the expence I'd say see what disposable income you have and work from there. I think the lease buy scheames are a good idea as they are 100 tax deductable. The idea of a new van is nice as well. No costly breakdowns.
Simon.
Luke 14 v 28 eh Simon?
Hi PJ want some vehicle advice from
me?
Anecdotally I ran sheddy cars (13 yr old Volvo 240 estate followed by 13 yr old Honda Estate) quite happily when I was trad and even when trolley wfp and hosereel wfp and small tank.
But they were petrol, 2.3 and 2.2 litre and auto and started to breakdown (didn't like their front footwells and electrics being filled with wfp water
) and the last one had a knock from a lorry which prompted me to bite the bullet and go for a van.
I went new in Oct 06 for a 1.3 doblo diesel and wish I'd done it years ago.
It cost £180 a month and I reckon it's 44mpg compared with low twenties mpg pays for half the rental, and not losing, typically a day a month for repairs and money buying an alternator here and a radiator there plus mot's and expendable items (exhaust, brakes, tyres) from time to time actually puts me in pocket.
Even the road tax is cheaper!
At the end of 4 years the van has to be worth at least £2500 for me to walk away or trade in or whatever. If it's worth more I get the balance, if less I pay it.
At 7000 miles per year I reckon I'll be in credit, and have something to bargain with when I get a replacement in two and a half years time.
No percentage here, just the joy of hassle free, cheaper and more productive window cleaning.
But as you know PJ, when it comes to the family car I still use a shed as long as it's roadworthy!
