Should I swap my Volvo for a C-Max?

Hi, I'd really appreciate your advice on this. I have an 08 Volvo V50 with 120,000 miles on the clock, which I love, but have had to put in €4,000 in the last year and only changed the tining chain and fixed a noise in the camshaft last week for €2,000. Now my husband says that the clutch is going. Should I trade now for Grand C-Max? The garage that did all the work to the car is offering €6,500 for my Volvo and the C-Max will cost €24,000 with my Volvo. I feel a bit under pressure because I don't want to keep spending on the Volvo. We've got three kids so the seven-seater would be handy but not sure about C-Max. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

02.08.2015

Our answer:

Hi Louisa,

It's a tricky one because you've now effectively spent more than the car is worth and you're going to have to spend more again on the clutch. My instinct is that to change from that Volvo to a new car will simply be too expensive - the cost of change is going to be far too high, given the dismal trade in you're being offered.

So, you have a couple of choices. Either keep the Volvo and hope that it doesn't need any more major work, which would hopefully be the cheapest option, or go for a more affordable second hand MPV to sort out your seating issues and hopefully find some better reliability. If you're going to do that, make sure you buy something really reliable and solid so look for a Toyota Verso, Mazda5, Honda FR-V or Kia Carens.

Answered by Shane O'Donoghue
05.08.2015

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