I currently have a 2004 Golf 5 which is doing its job efficiently, but it's starting to get some kilometers (+215000 km) and I've already had some repairs done.
With ~25000 km/year, I will push it to its maximum but when I will have a serious and too expensive breakdown (engine hypothetically), it will be better to change the car (maybe ?).
The question I ask myself is: what is the best strategy to choose a car without wasting sats ?
Knowing that taking an antique car is the guarantee of a surprise breakdown and a short life span.
It is out of the question to take a new car and pay a premium of VAT on it.
What is the right age balance for a used car? For kilometers? Fuel consumption ?
What are the most robust and/or underpriced brand/models?
Should I go through a garage or a person?
I'm not looking for anything too luxurious, my only requirement is a car in the same category as my Golf (currently the argus is ~3500€).
I prefer to ask on SN because you surely had to face this problem, and my colleagues from the Fiat mine are more interested in getting the biggest car possible via the rental of the company's car policy.
PS : I live in the north-east of France