What on earth is next when your very own icon falls apart? It’s a tricky one, especially when Roger’s old Mercedes-Benz estate was running out of time and there didn’t seem to be a nearby replacement. In his words: “I’m currently sourcing an SUV, because a knee problem means I need to be able to slide out of the car.
“My heart says a 2006 BMW X3 2.5 with 71k miles and my head says a Lexus RX 300 from the same year with 84k miles. I know friends who have owned each model and both give a good report. It will only be less than average mileage. What do you think?”
Certainly when it comes to getting in and out of vehicles, I’m starting to favour those that are a tad higher up. My initial reaction would be to go for a Lexus, on the grounds that reliability isn’t going to be any sort of issue, provided the car is in pristine nick. Owners can just go about their business uninterrupted.
You can get fairly old but perfect examples at a price. For instance, a 2006 RX 300 with less than 50k miles and one private owner after being a pampered demonstrator is a stiff £7400. You might prefer another 2006 example with an extra 100k miles; an unwanted part-exchange, it’s just over £2000. There’s a choice.
If you enjoy driving, an BMW X3 is certainly going to be more fun, plus a much cheaper proposal. Dodging the high-milers, a one-owner, 94k-mile 2.0-litre diesel SE that looks tidy enough is advertised at £2300, which seems very reasonable. Indeed, there are a few X3s around of that mileage and money, and one with a sole previous keeper was even better value. Service history and lots of bills is always a good way forward, so Roger seems to have a lot of good options between these models.
Interestingly, though, he also threw in a real oddity in the weird shape of the Subaru Tribeca. Roger said that he’d never seen one before, and it is indeed a rare car, but it’s not unappealing, even if it is a bit challenged in the looks department.
Subarus shouldn’t break down but, if they do, they will be expensive to fix, and the Tribeca is no different. There are never many around and they’re not especially cheap when you do find them. I’ve found a 2006 3.0 SE with 106k miles and a load of extras including a towbar for £2700. It will be a very expensive way to tug anything around, on account of its petrol engine. I am rather warming to one of these, though, as it seems like an intriguing way to get around.
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There's less need for the
How do you know a three year
How do you know a three year old car is in 'fine' condition? If you are using your car surely best to pay the 50 quid for the MOT that it will need anyway. Then you can 'relax' safe in the knowledge that it was certified as legally roadworthy. The MOT extension was put in place basically to allow people who are not using their cars during lockdown to be able to re-tax if they are parked on the highway.
Do it, Ron!
Indeed. It was flippant, bad advice. If people are treating it as an "MOT holiday" that's an entirely wrong take from what was a good idea. In that position, if I was using my car on a regular basis, now, and the MOT is, or had been, due, I'd get it done. (Not least my MOT is actually due in November and I don't want to be in a bun fight to get it done because of people from May not having theirs done. ;) )
Further, it is up to the keeper/owner to ensure that the vehicle remains safe to drive, and that the extension has been applied. While it should be automatically done (seven days before due date), don't assume it has been and check because if it hasn't been extended, and you're driving, it may make your insurance invalid.