Is this the end?

scotttait · 08-09-13, 07:22 AM

Today I woke up to what could be my last day in a zed.
After much consideration I have decided to part with my 180 after 2 great years of ownership. I am about to valet the car for the last time and it will be off to its new owner later this afternoon.
I am going to miss is it, I know that for sure but I feel the time is right to move on. Lets face it, the value of the cars isn't going to get any better.
There is still a possibility that I could be on the look out for an mgf within the next few months. But until then I will be mg less.

Dan1971 · 08-09-13, 08:04 AM

The thing with these cars is that if you got into one in the last couple of years, you'll have done so quite cheaply. Value is less of an issue. You're never going to be able to buy a car for £1000 and then sell it for more unless you've done some major overhauling. Sometimes running our Zds can be expensive, so sometimes it makes us look eslewhere - but in truth - what cars are NOT expensive to run these days and cheap to repair if either smashed up or break down ?

You've done 2 years and want to move on - fair enough. As we all know, you'll have to spend a lot of money to get something with better performance and handling in a family friendly package, so it'll be interesting to see what you end up spending your well earned on.

What's on the list ?

caled · 08-09-13, 08:24 AM

Agree with the above, I think its a pretty safe bet that we all occasionally glance through autotrader, but the prices of the zeds cant really go any lower, and theyre a good package as is. There are few cars that match the power:weight given the size of the car, let alone the handling characteristics, and even fewer when you factor in what you'd have to pay. Look at some of the bmws for example, 200-odd bhp and 0-60s in 8s or 9s, and you will pay a premium for them. And then the real world mpg figures wont be anywhere near what they claim to be.

Ill likely be keeping hold of my zs until something better catches my eye, but i expect to be in for quite a wait.

daytona365 · 08-09-13, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caled

Agree with the above, I think its a pretty safe bet that we all occasionally glance through autotrader, but the prices of the zeds cant really go any lower, and theyre a good package as is. There are few cars that match the power:weight given the size of the car, let alone the handling characteristics, and even fewer when you factor in what you'd have to pay. Look at some of the bmws for example, 200-odd bhp and 0-60s in 8s or 9s, and you will pay a premium for them. And then the real world mpg figures wont be anywhere near what they claim to be.

Ill likely be keeping hold of my zs until something better catches my eye, but i expect to be in for quite a wait.

HERE HERE..............Im never getting rid of mine, even when I win the lottery. I have never driven a car that is so much fun. Nothing newer has ever ticked as many boxes. And the more newer cars add more things (to make them faster, more fun!) they take away the driver input. That is what makes driving fun.........................

talkingcars · 08-09-13, 08:39 AM

Good luck - enjoy your new car - let us know what you get.

scotttait · 08-09-13, 08:42 AM

Oh no, I may regret this!! I put it up for sale/swap basically to see what sort of interest I would get. Basically next to none. Until I got offered a straight swap for a zt 190 with low milage and some tasty mods, DVD player, sat nav, etc. but after agreeing the swap through email etc communications stopped. Then I got offered a swap for stupid things, like an Astra and a moto x bike!!! Then after a few stupid £400-£500 offered I got offered £900. What I was asking for, (I paid 700 for it 2 years ago with 52000 on clock) it's now done 91986, although I have put new Michelin tyres all around, new vis motors, and quite a bit more since buying it. I was thinking about a megane cabriolet 2.0 16v, we already have a skoda for the kids, (about to be a Nissan qasqhi, whoever you spell it). I am going to regret this!!

Dan1971 · 08-09-13, 09:06 AM

A fekkin' Megane Cabriolet .....

Make sure you get yourself some very light loafers to go with it then ....

welshone · 08-09-13, 09:11 AM

Have you had a knock on the head recently??? I say this as you seem to be down grading on both cars

stamford · 08-09-13, 09:22 AM

Let's face it, the ZS is an enthusiasts car on a budget or one someone falls into by mistake. It is not a modern car but does fit well into ones budget and a fun package for the money. Most of us are still holding onto the aura of what it was when it was new and have not been honest when comparing to the newer breed out there today.

I can honestly say while my zed was off the road for around 8 months I drove only the Vectra, yawn some might say but you know what I actually enjoyed driving it! Now my zed is back on the road I still enjoy the Vectra and use the zed once a week for work, weather permitting, and over the weekend. I would not consider it an everyday car now (too many mods?), however it is probably more of an age thing for me and I like the comfort a newer car brings.

So anyone selling up and maybe regretting it, do not worry, there will be enough to go round and at low prices, so could be a second car for some if and when the time comes.

As for car regrets, I want another Discovery as miss mine!

Dan1971 · 08-09-13, 09:31 AM

Played golf with a mate yesterday who has just paid £11K for a quite tidy zetec focus.

After the golf he came round for take out and we went out in the Zs to collect it.

He was dumbstruck that a car like mine could be had for what I paid for it - and quite frankly afterwards commented that he has been overpaying for his cars for years ... Getting a newer one then having to deal with the depreciation etc.

Mine will be worth what I paid for it for ages - if not more - so depreciation doesn't come into it. Our cars are past the depreciation stage and condition is everything.

I spent 6 days in Scotland with te the family and the dog in the summer. Somedays we spent 6-7 hours travelling and we went in the wife's 11 plate Meriva diesel auto. Cumfy, frugal, spacious .... it did the job perfectly. I wouldn't have dreamt of going in the ZS - but I wouldn't just have the Meriva.

It's all about what suits you and your needs at the time. In my view, if you've got or want a sensible car and want to balance that with something fast, fun and cheap, the ZS is perfect.