Need the collective wisdom of the Forum please. I have 2003 Octavia 1.9 Tdi Elegance,non PD , 79000 miles, full history, well looked after. Owned it 6 years. Best car we've ever had. Never given any real trouble. So, in the next few months it will need an MOT and service. It has a noisy wheel bearing which also needs doing. There is a very slight vibration at idle which never used to be there, but it's very minor and not getting worse.
The car is our main family transporter, taking us down to France and Spain every year. The rest of the time it doesn't work too hard, used on light commuting etc, 12000 miles a year max.
The cambelt and tensioner (but not the water pump) was changed at 50000 miles. Tyres will shortly be needed on the front after 20000 miles.
To replace this car like for like will cost me about 12 grand-ish. A petrol version would be less. I can afford to spend this if I subsequently keep it for a few years but would prefer not to have this much money invested in a car. I have 2 kids going to UNi and would rather spend it on them.
So what to do? Logic tells me this car should be good for another 4 to 5 years and up to 120K at least. It will need a belt change in a year or two - possibly less as I worry about that! Or I could bite the bullet and chop it in now, before any expense. But that means wopping out serious dosh which I'd rather spend on other things! I've never run a car beyond 100K, so I'm a little unsure as to what to expect in terms of expense and reliability. Maybe I'm over-worrying on this?
What do you all think?
Cheers
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