Thinking about making the Avant my primary vehicle - am I mad?

[Ross]

OK, so I need to cut costs for the next 6-12 months, and my first thought was to take the Avant off the road again. Besides, battery was dead after weeks of standing (and that's a new Bosch silver top) and I couldn't get it to recharge...

However... I noticed the battery charger had a green light this morning and low and behold, she fired up so I naturally had to apply a good coat of caranuba wax to the car in my lunch hour and drive it back to the office. The car looked the 'nuts out in the car park in the sun when i left work and it got me thinking; should I just flog the Golf instead while it's still worth £2k or so and run the Avant as a daily driver?

Having a diesel run-about has been great, but the reality is I'm covering about 8k a year instead of 30k so economy is much less of an issue. Plus the S2 doesn't need about £800 to get it through the next service and MOT both due in the next few months. I could sell the Golf cheap, use the money to pay off the 'card, save £20/mo interest as well...

The only pain is I liked the idea of taking the avant off the road here and there to do a few jobs. But then there's always bank holiday weekends, and the office is only 20 mins on bike. Am I kidding myself here and need some sense talking into me, or do I have a good point??

[S2central.net]

You do have a valid - especially if you arent't doing big miles.

Only issue can be when you need to be off-road for any unexpected repairs, but some forward planning and a bit of good luck and you should be OK

[Sonic]

Glad to see you're taking Neil's advice

If you're not dependent upon the car to get to work in the morning, which you're not, i'd do it.

Just don't forget how bloody expensive running an S2 is, what with being in the diesel bubble for the last few years.

Do it. And come up to mine to listen to the sub, and borrow some of the detailing kit.

[Gompa]

i use mine daily and i do around 70-90 miles a week. way i look at is ive paid for it and i want too use it and its nice and comfy

[Rusty]

If you work out fuel savings it's about £1k more to run the avant over a car that does 45mpg average (i.e. double). That can run a cheap car but depreciation generally kills that, as do sets of tyres and expensive repairs.

Use the avant as is and enjoy it, that'll be worth a lot to you for sure

[dest]

I drive mine every day, why would you not?!

[Ian Simmonds]

I drive mine every day, why would you not?!

Indeed, I use mine for work which takes me all over the country, it did 540 miles last week. The trick is to drop out of the 'driving it like a weekend car' mode. Just be gentle, stroke it along and she'll do circa 30mpg and still give you a big smile on your face when you see it parked in the car-park.

Go for it....

[GazzaG60]

id rather not drive mine everyday.

the 530d does 450 miles to a tank. far more tha the S2. saves about 20 quid per tank so to speak. its far better as an everyday car than the S2.

its also means you can look forward to a drive at the weekend. objects of desire are soon less desirable if used a lot

[dest]

It all depends on how many miles you do a week.
If I did a lot, then Id have to get a diesel, but I barely do 50 miles, so it would be pretty pointless having 2 cars

[GazzaG60]

thats fair. i do about 250 a week.

also i get company car allowance so have 2 cars the s2 already paid for by company and now 530d msport being paid for. suppose it cushions the blow a bit.

i suppose its a bit of a luxury having 2 cars.

i can recommend a rover 620 d if you need a cheap runaround. 60mpg easily with those and a bout 500 quid a car. i only upgraded to the bmw cos im not paying for it in a round about way

[Rusty]

No interior to speak of and bucket seats make daily use a problem, not that I currently need a car...

[mark_s2]

Never found the avant to be very child seat friendly. The rear seat belt catches seem to be positioned so that all the car seat I had in there were a pain in the ...to fit.

But go for it Ross...you know it makes sense.

[Christophski]

I use my avant daily and don't mind having the fuel bill as it gives
me such a smile. I do however mind parking dings so I use far sides of carparks!!! Do it dude!

[93URS4Avant]

Daily, hourly, minute by minute. Sometimes I wonder if I could install a 42" tv and play COD MW2 would I ever get out? Try running with 390bhp with joy just under your right foot!
1

[Azman]

Mines a daily too. do it