Hi Francie,

As I was in a similar situation some years ago, I don't recommend you to put much money in your old car - as soon as you have fixed problem A, a new problem B will show up. You might sell your old car to people who will use it as "source" of spare parts, or you bring it to "la Casse"/scrapyard.

Option 2: good idea but having to rent a car can be annoying

Option 3: You can try to buy a good 2nd hand car (1 - 3 years old).

Option 4: If you don't use a car very often, it's a waste of money.

Futher option: car sharing (don't know whether this exists in GVA). Maybe you find something about it on google.

When I first moved here, I thought I would buy a car soon, but after two years, I've realized I can actually live without one. I use public transport to travel to work, and on the occasions I need a car, I use the Mobility car-sharing service. It sounds like it would be perfect for your needs, it's billed by the hour and doesn't cost much if you just need a car for a shopping trip on a weekend afternoon. I'd say, just get rid of your car and subscribe to Mobility. There is a yearly fee, but you can get a discount with some things (like having the SBB/CFF half-price card.)

- Jouni

junk the car, it´s seen its time. try looking at www.autoscout.ch, there you can find guarenteed used cars for any price range. a car 8-10 years old will cost you very little and won´t require anything but gas and oil(+filter).

don't put good money after bad.

Buy my car. Nice small red Citroen C1
low milage, 13500 km.
original radio with mp3 connection.
No special options except for power assist steering
which makes parking in the city very easy.
Consommation 4.1 country, 5.5 city, 4.6 mixed
excellent condition: 8900 swiss francs
Sorry this price in NON negotiable.
This car does NOT have air conditioning.

Compare this car with similar cars online: http://www.eurocasion.ch/f.htm

See this car online: http://www.anibis.ch/n/1982630

Yes look at the mobility site, if you live near a mobility site then you would probably save more by joining mobility.  Used car ownership costs at least an average chf 3000 per year if you dont have large repairs.  You might still spend this on mobility if you drive alot but you would no longer have to worry about the car, and there are stations at every almost every train station or near one in Switzerland. And a used car really has no value compared to what you spent to keep it up, as you will see if you try to sell this car.

The problem is if you take say weekend trips to for skiing or something, then the miles and time can add up.  But Mobility has special rates with AVIS which are ok.  In the end think about your time, how much is it worth to you your hours spent getting it serviced and so on?  You might even be able to rent out your parking space to cover some of the costs.

http://www.mobility.ch/pages/index.cfm?dom=6

also its maybe your battery just went dead?  if it sits for awhile they can die.  do the lights and horn work?  a starter motor usually doesnt just die all at once, they start making noise first.  if you try to start it and its making some strange noise the starter might be the case, if its turning over really slow though its probably just the battery.

There´s also the option of a scooter,  motorcycle, or hooded BMW-scooter, all of which are a lot cheaper than any car option, although, admittedly. less safe, less comfortable, and can carry way less passengers and baggage. You can park almost anywhere, though (possibly for free?  anyone knows?)

- and a bike, of course. Adds exercise.

You could also go for a used SmartCar. Easy to park, it seems.

Dear Francie,

sounds like you have had some good advice already. For sure it seems that the old Polo is really going to be a money pit. I would suggest getting rid of it.

A new car is something that would also cost you money without need. Most brands can lose 25% of their initial value in the first 12 months. Go for a second hand city car (3 years old) and you will not be losing out as much as the person who bought it new.

Autoscout is good but I am not sure if all cars are guaranteed - I sold a car of mine on Autoscout and it was covered only by the warranty of the manufacturer.

Good luck.

Hello,

I bought my VW at Atra in Geneva.  Two years old, low mileage and a one-year guarantee from the garage which also bought my (very) old  Honda and did all the paperwork.  I havent had any big expenses on the car and it's still running well eight years later (probably everything will go wrong with it now I've said that  ).

http://www.atra.ch/recherche/occasions/index.lbl

There's also ROC for 2nd-hand cars.  They have loads of VWs but be careful to check the documentation as they often buy them from Europcar or other car hire places so the car has been driven by many different ppl...

Interesting to read about Mobility and will take a closer look at how it works  - Could be really good if it means not too much inconvenience and saving on costs of rented garage, annual tax, insurances, motorway sticker, servicing, repairs, tyres etc. - all of which add up!

Good luck.