Mud control mats or new car or both

[HorseMaid]

Please help me make a decision! My car is on its last legs (2006 ssangyong rexton), I've been eyeing up a newer version (2015 model) which I could afford on my budget of circa £5k and would most likely see me through at least the next 5 years (low mileage). That's my max budget really.

I'm also desperate for some mud control mats after last winter, and wondering if it would be more sensible to split my car budget half and half, buy lots of mats and buy another old 4x4 to do the job for a year or two. I've seen an old but well looked after, low mileage Touareg which is miles away but I'd make the trip for.

I can't make up my mind!

 

[TPO]

I'm thr last person to be taking financial advice from (not that I let that stop me giving it ) and know even less about cars.

What I do know is how life changing mudslabs are. I think I've had them 3yrs now, I started small with a part order of 26, and what a difference they make. I bought a couple of full pallets and odds from other shared loads.

If you have a lot of mud then I highly recommend mudslabs.

What about a 0% credit card. You could use it in a car from the dealer or the mudslabs, then pay off with no interest. Martins money aver website will have thr best deals. I think Llyods were doing 27 months interest free on purchases.

 

[HorseMaid]

A credit card is absolutely not an option as I'm paying for the land (couple of years left to go!) hence the budget of £5k overall!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Car as you're stuffed without one.

 

[TPO]

A credit card is absolutely not an option as I'm paying for the land (couple of years left to go!) hence the budget of £5k overall!

Fair enough. If land is paid off in a couple of years I'd get cheaper car and mudslabs just now.

Then when land is paid off save for a car upgrade if it's needed.

If you have bad mud/poacked gateways and troughs etc I'd highly recommend mudslab (+ sharp sand to land on top for grip)

 

[gallopingby]

Mats and cheaper car. Mats will make life easier sooner, you can upgrade the car when you have more ££££s.

 

[honetpot]

Mats and cheaper car. Mats will make life easier sooner, you can upgrade the car when you have more ££££s.

This would be my choice, I have Mud Control mats and they have been down three years, I would buy more but the area I want them for is not that muddy. The will have a resale value, so the money is never wasted.
The car, well we run older cars, never buy from a dealer, and factor in spending something once bought, because they always need something doing, and have never spent over £3k. My last one I had six years, and was written off in a crash orI would still have it. I got more money from the insurance than I paid for it.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Having just spent the last two days relaying our MCMs and thinking how blissful it's going to be come the wet season, and wondering when can order more (and some of the alternatives for a different area - currently thinking Jelka Clean Tops), I'd go with the mats and cheaper car now and replace car when you've the finances to do so in a couple of years time.

ETA: Don't forget to factor in the cost of the sand to go on top. We've just put down two tonnes as they're in gateways and I want the neds safe from any slips. They're all barefoot but I err on the side of caution.