Would I regret selling my 1985 VW Golf to buy a 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage?

A few years after being married, the wife and I got this '85 Golf diesel. For the past 6 years it has not really given us any problems, except a faulty CV joint that had me thinking the transmission had gone out when it hadn't and a couple leaks that were easy to fix. It also gets great fuel mileage, over 50mpg. We drive a lot.

It's a little rough looking and has no AC system, but it's the perfect car for our budget. We make around $2,000-2,500/month after taxes, so at 20 percent, that gives us $400-500 for car expenses. With about $100-150 in fuel and $100 in insurance, that leaves us with $150-300 per month extra.

We had been wasting that money on other things, like other vehicles. But now we want to have just one car and use that money for that car's maintenance and improvement. I was thinking of saving some up, painting it, saving, reupholstering, saving, new muffler, etc. Maybe I'd even work up to having the money for a new engine or transmission if that ever became the case.

However, I'm also throwing around the idea of just selling the Golf and getting a car with a payment but that already looks nice and has AC. But according to Edmunds TCO, $400-500/month limits me to a car like a used Mitsubishi Mirage. Even a used Toyota Yaris or Prius C or Honda Fit may be just outside of my price range according to Edmunds, although perhaps close enough I could deal with it. But would I be kicking myself in the rear end if I gave up the ol' Golf for a newer car?

No

It is time for another vehicle. The automatic climate control on new cars (if equipped) will make you smile. And the Mirage is a miser on gas too.

Keep it, keep it roadworthy, stuff the appearance. Run it til it drops. The money you save not making it pretty put into term deposits use t obuy a new car in a few years time. (Don't borrow money t obuy a car or any other depreciating asset - you'll find yourself funding the fat cats who run the banks & quite likeky be still paying it off after it dies.

I've never driven the Mirage but I have read a few reviews on the vehicle and they all say the same thing. It's a great vehicle IF fuel economy is your only concern. Otherwise is has many shortcomings and most other vehicles in its class are a better choice.

Keeping a 30+ year old vehicle as a daily driver is a tough call. Those older VW diesels have fantastic reputations for reliability but it is an older vehicle and more stuff will eventually go on it.

Personally I'd be hesitant to sink a lot of money into such an old vehicle if I relied on it for transportation. I would keep the old car going as long as it's economically feasible and put some of that budgeted transportation money aside each month for a future car fund. This way when it is finally time to get a newer ride, you have money saved up already to either buy something nicer or have enough money to buy another car in full ( no loan ).

Dude, really, how much will you get for a junk ugly car from 1985? People will not take it off your hands for free. If you re poor and the car still goes - continue driving it. And get a better job. I mean really? 2 k for both of u?

I'd buy a Mitsubishi Lancer but would not recommend buying a Mirage. That's a car Mitsubishi should have quit making years ago!

You are asking about how you would feel about parting with the Golf. No one who i9s not you can answer that.

I don't know the Mirage and it's reliability, but a newer vehicle would be a far better and safer and more reliable vehicle to use.