Selling - can anyone talk me out of it?

[Craig 0]

It's been a funny old year ... and a difficult one, too.

I came to VR6 ownership rather by chance. I was actually looking for a car for my wife when I came across the advert for my Vento. It sounded a bit too good to be true, but it wasn't. So I bought it.

I've added a stainless steel (Powerflow) exhaust and a BMC CDA, complete with cold air feed. These have enhanced the car significantly. Not only can you hear that wonderful VR6 sound so much better, but you have the bonus of perceptibly improved responsiveness.

But a tough year seems set to end by getting even tougher, and the VR6 thirst is beginning to be an unwelcome financial drain. As many of my journeys are fairly short at the moment, I am lucky to see 200 miles from a full tank of juice. This doesn't compare favourably with my Rover 800 Vitesse, which never gave me less than 250! And I know the car isn't running poorly, as I've had 32mpg out of it on the motorway at a fairly constant 80mph.

So I'm seriously considering selling.

I don't really want to. I do like the car. I love the noise. I love the awesome kickdown that makes this car by far the most enjoyable automatic I've ever driven, whilst being ever so relaxing for stop/start London traffic jams.

But the fact is that I cannot easily deal with having to pay out so much more to run this car than I did with my old Rover 800 Vitesse. Unless circumstances change significantly (unlikely) the Vento's fuel bills will soon be an expense I simply cannot afford.

What would you guys (and girls!) do in my position?

[silverline 0]

if i was in that situation i would try to find out every means possible to keep running costs at a minimum but if its just not possible, having to work extra hours or what ever then personally i would bite the bullet and sell.

if its causing a struggle then it takes the fun out of owning such a car.

[MrBen 0]

A VR just isn't a car for regular short journeys - I'd sell it and buy a diesel tbh!

[Ferrari VR6 0]

I was going to sell mine not long back and am very pleased i didn't. You know what they say, you won't miss it until it's gone.

You could get a cheap run-a-round and keep the VR for the special occasions, tell you what, i bet if you use an alternative car for a few weeks you'd realise just how good your VW is, worked for me

Money's always a tricky one tho mate, if you really can't afford to run it or find an alternative solution, she'll have to go! you can always get another one

[TVR6 0]

I think Silverline hit the proverbial nail when he said:

"if its causing a struggle then it takes the fun out of owning such a car"

That and the fact that comfortable living and financial security are of more importance than a car.

[silverline 0]

too true

i nearly sold mine a month or two ago but i decided to keep it and im enjoying it more than i had before.

but then again get rid of a car like a VR is no trouble but getting rid of the debt one could get you into could take a long time.

[TVR6 0]

tell me about it. mine goes in for timing chains and tensioner tomorrow. If the warranty company wriggle out of it like I think they will then I have to cough up

[silverline 0]

ouch! i did my chains, tensioners and guides myself i think i spent the best part of