I think the OP made the swap to the Fabia in order to save money. Just goes to show it's not often cost-effective to swap one new car for another even if the "monthlies" are lower. You just get hit with depreciation loss on two vehicles.

Might have made more sense for the OP to remain in the ST (provided he wouldn't be defaulting on the monthly payment). Plus it's a much nicer car than the Fabia!

 

Spot on the mark!

 

What I were paying for the ST in monthly outgoings I could run a Fabia and a Citigo for about £20 a month more so I did exactly that.

My girlfriend passed her test so it would have been selfish for me to drive a new ST about and for her to drive a £700 end of life motor.

Buying a brand new car to save money?

That's a new one on me.

You could run a really nice two or three year old car for less than an average new one, once you take into account the actual costs of owning rather than just fuel and insurance/VED.

Exactly. New cars rarely make financial sense.

I think deep down the OP probably knows this too judging by his post on this thread a few days ago:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/336948-201262-fabia-monte-carlo-16tdi-black-magic-23k-miles-£8750/?fromsearch=1

Spot on the mark!

What I were paying for the ST in monthly outgoings I could run a Fabia and a Citigo for about £20 a month more so I did exactly that.

My girlfriend passed her test so it would have been selfish for me to drive a new ST about and for her to drive a £700 end of life motor.

She's a lucky lady for you to give up your ST for her! Most blokes would have thought "stuff it she can drive a shed" haha! :-)

She's a lucky lady for you to give up your ST for her! Most blokes would have thought "stuff it she can drive a shed" haha! :-)

Exactly what I was thinking!! Haha :-)

£700 end of life motors do have their advantages.

I find myself driving mine more and more because I can park it anywhere and not worry about it at all.

 

Also find it satisfying that I am driving around in something that's not depreciating by a significant amount on a monthly basis.

Mind you, it hasn't broken down yet...

£700 end of life motors do have their advantages.

I find myself driving mine more and more because I can park it anywhere and not worry about it at all.

Also find it satisfying that I am driving around in something that's not depreciating by a significant amount on a monthly basis.

Mind you, it hasn't broken down yet...

That's exactly it, I can leave mine without worrying over it every 5 minutes, also no main dealers needed just slide under it with a few scanners

£700 end of life motors do have their advantages.

I find myself driving mine more and more because I can park it anywhere and not worry about it at all.

Also find it satisfying that I am driving around in something that's not depreciating by a significant amount on a monthly basis.

Mind you, it hasn't broken down yet...

I agree with that. I do worry leaving my car parked up, especially in areas I don't know. Also difficult at times, finding a suitable spot to leave it, I seem to be coming across a lot of high kerbs which is a pain the arse!

The other advantage to an end-of-life cheapo motor is that if it breaks you can just bin it and get another at minimal cost!

Surely they're not much fun to drive though? Is it not worth spending an extra 2-3k and getting something that is satisfying and fun to drive and that has the potential to last longer?

Off course they are fun.

I just sold one for £80 which was the Scrap Value,

after a Bulb & a MOT & Road Tax by the month it might run for long enough & still be worth £80 scrap.

They can be great fun as George says.

My brother has recently picked up a fantastic old BMW Z3 2.8. Only 72k on the clock and in great condition. Full history etc. £1500.

We had such a laugh in it over the weekend with the top down and the traction control off lol. A lot of straight-six RWD shenanigans for peanuts.

The UK MOT System is still a wonderful system. (As long as the EU do not get their way & have the UK assume the position.)

Not difficult to pass on older cars if the Emissions & Brakes / Steering are OK, & the car is safe.

 

Lots of fun cars can still be run cheaply, 

& the DVLA set up now makes things easy, Monthly VED or on a SORN.

Surely they're not much fun to drive though? Is it not worth spending an extra 2-3k and getting something that is satisfying and fun to drive and that has the potential to last longer?

Depends, bought a £600 Jag, absolute hoot to drive,

Hm yeah i guess so, if you know what you're looking for and how to fix it then why not