Downsizing from FG Falcon - options?

[ultvict]

I have recently moved out of home and into a share house in the suburbs. Everything is really close to my new house, within 5 mins. With hardly having to drive or very short distances I'm starting to feel having a big FG G6 isn't as practical now compared to the long country drives I used to do.
Being young and still at uni, I don't see the point of having a fairly recent car get hardly driven and loose value, so I have considered downsizing to either a smaller car, or something more economical. Also I wouldn't mind putting a bit of money in the bank as well.

Here are the main options I am considering at buying when my G6 LE sells (hopefully fairly soon).

AU Fairmont Ghia (preferably on LPG)
AU Xr6 (again preferably on LPG)
WS Fiesta Zetec
LV/LV Mk2 Focus Zetec
MB Mondeo Zetec/Titanium

I have always had a keen eye for a AU Fairmont Ghia and keeping a watch on a few, but my dad doesn't recommend going back to an older car. I really enjoyed my previous AU Fairmont, and believe they are a tough and fairly reliable car, and chap to run on LPG.

I test drove a Fiesta, and while I was somewhat impressed for a small car, I don't think I could drive something that small, despite potential savings in fuel costs - but still am somewhat open to it as a possibility.

So I ask for your opinion on my situation, which of the above would you consider and why, or is there an option that I have missed and should check out also?

Thanks for your input!

[NX74205]

I don't do any long highway driving in the country either. Personally I don't see why you need to replace your G6. But if you are really keen on replacing it, then out of those choices, I'd get he MB Mondeo without a second thought.

But if the LW (instead of the LV) Focus is one of your choices, I'd get an LW Mk II Focus S.

[b0son]

FG -> AU?

Are you smoking something???

[atmoxr6]

camry, camry,camry. cheap no 1 would steal it an u never need 2 service it.

[Crazy Dazz]

Depends on how busy you are with Uni, and how critical your transport is. When I was studying Engineering, and totally reliant on my car for transport, I found the unreliability of an older car to be a PITA. I ended up buying a new base model 4 cylinder, just so I had something that would reliably get me to lectures and exams. In those circumstances I’d be going for the Fiesta, assuming you can find a good one at the right price.

But if you’ve got easy Tram access to Uni, and plenty of time to work on your car, then you can’t go past an AU on LPG. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to fix, and with moderate care that I6 will live forever.

Important thing is not to become so obsessed with it that you take a bath on your FG, pay top dollar for your step-down car, then find yourself wanting to step back up in a few years.

[GQ_Smooth]

2005-2007 Mazda 6/Honda Euro
Virtually any model Focus (they are all good).

If I was young, I'd get myself into a used IS200/300 Lexus, RWD, economical, relatively reliable and pretty cheap now as well.

You can't go wrong with an AU in good nick, but I thought you were downsizing WTF?

[SumoDog68]

AU is not that much smaller than the FG . I guess concern is more about $$ being tied up ( financed) into asset that does not get used much. One important factor that seems to be forgotten is that when you buy and sell cars you are bound to lose $$. It is usually the cheapest option to keep what you have. Older car will require more maintenance - you should crunch the numbers and see if you are really getting ahead by buying older car.

[LeadFoot81]

If you've found that the G6 is too big and thirsty (for your current lifestyle) then I'd heartily recommend the WS Fiesta Zetec. Cheap to run, easy to park, fun to bomb around in, and (surprisingly) an interior like the Tardis (with relevant mod cons). They're still new enough to have low kms, and maybe even some warranty left, whilst being relatively inexpensive to buy. It also comes comes the same era as your FG, so styling is still pretty fresh. You may take a hit on resale of the G6, but I think it comes down to how much better the replacement car suits (or enhances) your lifestyle. Personally, I haven't looked back since moving to a hatch, suits me so much better day to day.

[mik]

If you want to maximize dollars and want a carefree car you can park anywhere and not worry about it getting beat up or keyed or stolen ....... what about an ex taxi , cheap to buy, you can run it into the ground and its on barbecue gas.

[patrickian11]

I agree in getting an accord euro, great cars that still looks good inside and out and fairly cheap. Go for a luxury manual.

[Ford_The_Win]

I would probably just keep the FG until it starts to wear out. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. If you go for something older, it will probably cost you time and money in constant maintenance and upkeep, and you will never get the ride comfort and road presence of a full size car in something the size of a Fiesta.

[MattSAU2XR8]

I'd be pretty careful about downsizing/downgrading if your primary objective is to actually save some money:

1. As mentioned above it costs money to change cars, probably about $1500 given you have to get an RWC, pay advertising costs, devote time to dealing with other buyers and sellers. So if you sell the FG, finish uni, buy another FG you may well lose $3000 in the process.

2. If you trade down to a higher mileage car then you will end up spending more on maintenance. Ideally if you want to spend less on cars then you need ot find something with less than 50 kkms so that hopefully you can drive it up to about 100 kkms and not end up replacing suspension parts, radiators, gearboxes and so on.

3. If you don't drive very much then the fuel cost is not going to differ much whatever you drive. And a four cylinder car compared to a six is only going to save $4 per week on rego.

Having said all this one viable option that might free up a bit of money, if you can get a good price for the FG would be something like a TJ magna. I've been considering one of these myself since on carsales you see ~ 2001 TJ executives with 50 kkms for about $5000 and these have a 3.5 litre V6, fairly good handling and build quality for the time and most of the road tests wre quite positive. I hired one of these myself at time and quite liked it - not a 'cool' car but pretty good to get around in. So if you could get $15,000 for the FG and get a Magna for $5000 you'd initially have $10,000 extra in the bank. Subtract $1500 change over cost but you'd get this back again in reduced depreciation over the next few years. In fact it could well turn out to be more reliable than the FG in the long term.

Here's a link for a later model as an example

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d.../?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by MattSAU2XR8

3. If you don't drive very much then the fuel cost is not going to differ much whatever you drive. And a four cylinder car compared to a six is only going to save $4 per week on rego.

Rego is the same in Melbourne regardless of engine capacity. Otherwise good points.

[ultvict]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

AU is not that much smaller than the FG . I guess concern is more about $$ being tied up into asset that does not get used much.

Sizewise its not, but on LPG it was much cheaper to run.
Thats pretty much my opinion. I enjoy the FG heaps and its a great car, but I don't see the point of it right now, when its going to spend most of its time in the drive way, or just driven to the shops/uni which are around the corner. Not to mention the money its losing in depreciation sitting there. I think I'm better off with some extra money in the bank, atleast while I'm still at uni.

Originally Posted by MattSAU2XR8

1. As mentioned above it costs money to change cars, probably about $1500 given you have to get an RWC, pay advertising costs, devote time to dealing with other buyers and sellers. So if you sell the FG, finish uni, buy another FG you may well lose $3000 in the process.

I know there is going to be some costs involved in buying/selling, but I don't think they are a large factor in selling my FG. Especially looking long term, a couple hundred to sell/buy vs thousands lost in depreciation.

Originally Posted by MattSAU2XR8

Having said all this one viable option that might free up a bit of money, if you can get a good price for the FG would be something like a TJ magna. So if you could get $15,000 for the FG and get a Magna for $5000 you'd initially have $10,000 extra in the bank. Subtract $1500 change over cost but you'd get this back again in reduced depreciation over the next few years. In fact it could well turn out to be more reliable than the FG in the long term.

Freeing up some money is also a large factor that I find very attractive from this situation. I am looking at similar situation as you mentioned. I plan to sell the G6 for $15-16,000 and then spend around the $6000 mark on a nice AU Fairmont Ghia with LPG, pocketing close $10,000 after all is done.

Originally Posted by Polyal

AU Fairmont on SVI LPG got me through years of uni..doing ~800ks per week min.

Nothing beats it for cheap motoring.

Before the G6 I had a dual fuel AU Fairmont, was so cheap to run. Was great for not worrying about petrol costs, drove everywhere just for fun - I still miss that 2 years on from the AU.

Originally Posted by Stefan

Still at uni and driving an FG G6. WTF? Unless you are raking in cash and writing this off you are just burning cash for nothing.

Buy a crap car and save your money while you can

No exactly raking it in as a uni student, just savings and a bit of luck. At times I do feel I am burning cash for my age/situation (atleast compared to the AU which was cheap in everyway, LPG, tyres to name a few).

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I would probably just keep the FG until it starts to wear out. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. If you go for something older, it will probably cost you time and money in constant maintenance and upkeep, and you will never get the ride comfort and road presence of a full size car in something the size of a Fiesta.

Road presence?

[Stefan]

Still at uni and driving an FG G6. WTF? Unless you are raking in cash and writing this off you are just burning cash for nothing.

Buy a crap car and save your money while you can

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Road presence?

I find in my AUII i'm far more likely to have people wait for me to pass before exiting from a side street (either way) than my wife's Corolla. It was even worse in her old Suzuki Swift, people would just cut out and force you brake a bit.

[ryeman]

I'm glad I am not forced to sell my FG the secondhand price reality scares me, so little demand compared to small fours.
The old saying 'the cheapest car is the one you own' comes to mind.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I find in my AUII i'm far more likely to have people wait for me to pass before exiting from a side street (either way) than my wife's Corolla. It was even worse in her old Suzuki Swift, people would just cut out and force you brake a bit.

I find that irrespective of whether I'm in the Fiesta, Focus, or Falcon, people are still ignorant, greedy, and rude on the roads. I don't think it's possible to 'buy' people's respect with the type of car you own.

[Bearman]

Originally Posted by patrickian11

I agree in getting an accord euro, great cars that still looks good inside and out and fairly cheap. Go for a luxury manual.

I'm happy with mine, been very reliable although autos can be prone to failure. Seriously good on the open road as well as around town.

The thing to consider is you have to run these on premium. In comparison to being able to run my old BA XR6 on standard unleaded the Honda isn't all that much cheaper to run overall.

To the OP, beware of false economies. Keeping the FG and hardly using it means it'll last a helluvu long time, at least through your studies and well into paid employment.

Going back into something older and cheaper may get you into something that will need to be replaced again much sooner, besides, you will have already lost plenty of depreciation on your FG.

In the medium to long term you're better off to keep the FG.

[Polyal]

AU Fairmont on SVI LPG got me through years of uni..doing ~800ks per week min.

Nothing beats it for cheap motoring.

[blackf6]

Ever considered riding a bicycle?

[fte50]

Downsizing options from a FG G6 for a uni student = immaculate EF EL Ghia

[graham_h]

if everything is so close use public transport or get a bike

[Smoke Pursuit]

Thats if you can sell the G6?? What do you expect to get for it?

Id keep it, wont cost you any where near as much in maintenance as some of those cars on your list....

[ultvict]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Thats if you can sell the G6?? What do you expect to get for it?

Id keep it, wont cost you any where near as much in maintenance as some of those cars on your list....

I'm not having much luck selling at the moment. I have it listed at $15,500 at the moment (down from the original $16,000 I started asking for). Realistically I think something closer to the $15,000 might get some more interest. I wouldn't be happy with anything less than $15,000 considering its in great condition, low kms, especially to what else is on carsales.

Originally Posted by Bearman

To the OP, beware of false economies. Keeping the FG and hardly using it means it'll last a helluvu long time, at least through your studies and well into paid employment.

Going back into something older and cheaper may get you into something that will need to be replaced again much sooner, besides, you will have already lost plenty of depreciation on your FG.

In the medium to long term you're better off to keep the FG.

True, it will last me a long time, which was one of the reasons I bought it near new in the first place. I know the depreciation, I've lost is a fair bit. I'm looking at around $8,000 in the 18 months I've owned the car. Its the first time, I've bought a car near new, so its the first time I've really experienced a large amount of depreciation. I don't like it or how its only going to get worse. Hence why I think selling it and putting money in the bank is more worthwhile. If I were driving it more often maybe it wouldn't be such an issue, but at my new home I'd be lucky to drive it once a day for 20mins to local shops and back.

[ryeman]

Never been a better time to buy one 2nd hand......never been a worse time to sell one 2nd hand.

[stevz]

Just keep the FG and you won't regret it. What's the point of taking a resale hit only to end up with something old and unreliable?
And IMO catching public transport is a far better proposition than driving a small buzz box.